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January 2025

Welcome Message

Dear Members,

 

As we close out a productive and exciting year, we are excited to share this edition of the CTAA newsletter. Inside, you’ll find highlights from our recent Conference 2024, a preview of what’s ahead in 2025, and a special spotlight on our leadership transition.

 

Thank you for being an important part of our community and for making this year one to remember.

 

On a personal note, I would like to thank you all for the warm welcome as I begin my journey as the CTAA Association Manager.

 

I am looking forward to working with all of you.

 

Happy New Year!


Lindsay Payne Pynten
CTAA Association Manager

 

Announcements

Save the Date!

 

CTAA Conference 2025

November 16-19 2025

 

Join us in Toronto, ON for the 70th annual CTAA Conference. Registration opens July 1st!

 

 

Membership Renewal

 

It's time to renew your membership

Stay connected - renew today.

 

Call for Papers

 

Abstract Submission Deadline:

February 12, 2025

 

The abstract submission deadline is fast approaching. Don’t miss your chance to present at the CTAA Conference 2025 in Toronto!

 

Click here for more information.

 

Resource Spotlight

 

Check out the CTAA’s Textbook on Hot Mix Asphalt. Available now through the Member Portal.

 

The Canadian Technical Asphalt Association (CTAA) has compiled information on the current  state of the practice in bituminous materials engineering and research in Canada.

 

Membership Renewal

General Members


It’s that time of year! 2025 membership dues are now due.

 

Don’t let your membership lapse! Renew before March 30th to enjoy exclusive networking opportunities, access to the member’s area and discounted rates for the conference.

 

A dues reminder and link will be sent to the email address on file. Members whose fees are not paid will get further email reminders.

 

Sustaining Members

 

Thank you to our Sustaining Members. Your support keeps the CTAA strong and paves the way for our continued success. Sustaining Membership renewals will be emailed on January 14th to Sustaining Member contacts.

 

What’s a sustaining member?

 

A Sustaining Member is an individual, firm, corporation, government agency, or other organization that provides greater support to the CTAA in addition to regular membership by contributing $1,000 each year towards keeping the Association sustainable.

 

Interested in Becoming a Sustaining Member?  You’re not just supporting CTAA—you’re helping connect and grow the entire asphalt community. Contact the CTAA office for more information on benefits and requirements.

 

Sustaining Membership renewals will be emailed on January 14th to Sustaining Member contacts.  We will attempt to contact Sustaining members who have not renewed by mid-February – remember you can add your Assistant to your profile to assure they also receive all the emails sent to you, including renewal reminders with the direct link which can allow them to pay the dues for you.

 

2024 Conference Recap

What a Success!


This year’s conference in Edmonton, AB was one for the books. With over 281 attendees, 20 technical papers and unforgettable networking opportunities, the energy was unmatched.

 

Key Highlights:

 

  • Sunday morning's pre-conference technical course was sold out! 107 tickets sold for the pre-conference Technical Session on Sunday morning
  • We celebrated 30 years of CUPGA with focused discussions on quality and sustainability
  • The student poster session featured 14 posters from University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Northern British Columbia and École de Technologie Supérieure

 

2024 Robert Noble Awards Luncheon

Honourary Member

 

Alan Carter and Chuck McMillan

Alan Carter was named an Honorary Member of the CTAA, recognizing his distinguished and meritorious service in advancing the Association's mission. This prestigious honour reflects his exceptional dedication, expertise, and contributions to the field. 

 

Presentation of award by Secretary/Treasurer, Chuck McMillan (right) to Alan Carter (left)

Norman W. McLeod Award for Best Technical Presentation (2023)

 

The Norman W. McLeod Award is presented to the best technical presentation at the prior year’s conference. The presentation to the 2023 Winner of the Norman W. McLeod Award for Best Technical Presentation presented to the CTAA’s own, Stephen Goodman.

Presentation of award by President Richard Hart (right) to Stephen Goodman (left)

Elaine Thompson Award (2024)

 

Also known as the “Editor’s Award” the 2024 Best Paper was awarded to the paper titled “Investigation of Low-temperature Properties of Fibre-modified High-performance Asphalt Concrete Mixtures” by Mohamed Saleh, Nirob Ahmed, Tala Odeh, Taher Baghaee Moghaddam, and Leila Hashemian.

 

Presentation of award by CTAA Editor, Stephen Goodman to Mohamed Saleh and Leila Hashemian,

Earl Kee Award 

 

Presented for the best presentation by a new author. 

 

Awarded to Nora Ruiz (No picture)

 

 

 

 

Certificates of Appreciation - Outgoing Board of Directors

 

They say that great people, make great board members and great board members, make big things happen. This year’s outgoing board members are great. The CTAA is thankful for their hard work and contributions to the CTAA.

Outgoing Director of Prairies:

 

Chris Campbell (Presented by President Richard Hart)

 

Outgoing Past President:

 

Michael Esenwa (Presented by President Richard Hart)

 

 

Scholarships

Graduate Scholarship: Rim Ajmi

I would like to express my deepest gratitude for being awarded the 2024 Graduate Scholarship.

 

Currently, as a master’s research student in the Department of Construction Engineering at the École de technologie supérieure de Montreal, this scholarship represents invaluable support for my academic pursuits.   

 

Thanks to your generosity, I can focus entirely on my research in pavement materials and innovative solutions. This financial support eases my expenses and helps reduce the stress related to funding my studies as an international student.   

Please be assured of my commitment to upholding the values of the Association through my research.

 

I am honored to be among the scholarship recipients and hope to contribute meaningfully to the field of infrastructure development. Once again, thank you for this valuable opportunity.    

 

Yours sincerely, 

Rim Ajmi

Undergraduate Scholarship: Kristen Weir

I am deeply honored to be named the CTAA Scholarship winner for the undergraduate
category.

 

This  recognition marks  a significant milestone in my academic journey. I am grateful for the support it will provide for my future endeavours.  

 

The financial aid from the CTAA undergraduate scholarship will help greatly with the continuing rise  in the cost of tuition fees for a university education.

 

The cushion of the scholarship money will  provide a much-needed relief, allowing me to focus more heavily on my studies to become a successful engineer.

The scholarship has aided in more ways than one with the concept of asphalt technology. While undergoing the application process I was able to get involved in the industry and ask coworkers about the relationship that asphalt has in our everyday lives.

 

With the knowledge I have gathered over the summer  I am able to understand a variety of concepts that are being taught in my classes such as tensile strength and hardness of different materials. Understanding these concepts has helped make a tough semester a little less stressful.

 

Again, I am so thankful that the CTAA scholarship committee considered me worthy of the title of the undergraduate winner. 

 

Sincerely, 

Kristen Weir

Applied Technology Scholarship: Cindy M. Krienke

I am writing to express my upmost gratitude for being selected as the recipient of
the 2024 Applied Scholarship from the Canadian Technical Asphalt Association. This support will significantly aid my studies in Civil Engineering Technologies as well as
the asphalt technology field, allowing me to access essential resources such as
required textbooks and computer upgrades that will greatly enhance my learning
experience. 

 

With this scholarship, I am better equipped to contribute to advancements in
sustainable asphalt practices and to pursue my passion for innovation in infrastructure.

 

Thank you once again for this invaluable opportunity.


Sincerely,
Cindy Krienke

 

Photo Gallery

View Here
 

69th Annual General Meeting

The 69th Annual General Meeting of the Association was held on Monday, November 11, 2024, in conjunction with the Annual Conference.

 

The draft minutes of the meeting are posted in the Member’s Portal and can be accessed from the Workspace area “Minutes of Annual General Meeting Files”. The Association’s financial statements are also available (log in here). 

 

What's Next?

The new year brings fresh opportunities! Here’s what’s on the horizon:

 

CTAA Conference 2025 (Toronto, ON)

  • Join us in Toronto, ON for the 70th annual CTAA conference (November 16-19, 2025)
  • The conference will be held at the Delta Hotel, downtown Toronto.
  • Arrive early - this year’s pre-conference technical session kicks off with an exclusive field trip to tour the newly minted MTO CETI (Centre for Excellence in Transportation Infrastructure) Complex. 

Call for papers 2025

 

Be a part of the action! Present at CTAA TO.25! 

 

Summary of Deadlines

  • Abstract Submission Deadline: February 12, 2025
  • Notification of Abstract Status: March 5, 2025
  • Full Paper Submitted to Program Committee: May 30, 2025

 

Reach Out
 

Leadership Spotlight

Meet the New CTAA Board President: Brandon MacDonald

 

As we step into an exciting new year, we’re thrilled to introduce the CTAA Board’s new President! To help you get to know him better, we sat down for a Q&A session, discussing his background, vision for CTAA, and goals for the year ahead.

 

Here’s what he had to say about his journey, leadership approach, and hopes for the future of the association.

 

Q: Name, position, company

A: Brandon MacDonald, Vice President of Strategy & Growth, Pennecon

 

Q: Hometown
A: Born in Corner Brook, NL, Living in St. John's, NL

 

Q: # years on the Board # years with CTAA
A: 8 Years on CTAA Board, 14 Years Member with CTAA

 

Q: What inspired you to step into this role?
A: The amazing people that I've gotten to know and work with - and the long proud history of the organization

 

Q: What’s a fun fact about you most people don’t know?
A: I'm a massive fan of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden.

 

Q: If you could achieve one big goal during your term, what would it be?
A: Stewarding a successful transition of administration from our outgoing Secretary/Treasurer, Chuck McMillan to our new Association Manager, Lindsay Payne Pynten

 

Q: What’s your favourite conference memory so far?
A: Former CTAA President Kelly Carrick leading a chorus of Alouette, Gentille Alouette at the Edmonton 2010 Grey Cup Game in Frigid Temperatures as the Montreal Alouettes beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the win.

 

(Richard Hart (left) receiving his past President’s pin and welcoming the incoming President, Brandon MacDonald (right))

Closing Notes

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm.

 

This community thrives because of you! Do you have an idea for a CTAA event, know of something we’d be interested in or want to be more involved? We’d love to hear from you!

Email me at lindsay@ctaa.ca.

 

Wishing you a bright start to 2025!

 

Lindsay Payne Pynten
Association Manager

 

2025 Sustaining Members

 

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