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    NAPA 2025 Award Program

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    Lindy Paving Sheldon G. Hayes Award

    What is NAPA Awards Program?

    NAPA's Awards Program celebrates those in our industry who achieve excellence. NAPA Award winners are recognized at the Annual Meeting, in member communications, and in industry publications and local news outlets throughout the country. The entry dates for Operational Excellence Awards are August 1 - October 15. The entry dates for Quality in Construction Awards are August 1 - October 31 with a $50 late fee applied to applications received after October 15.

    Award Categories

    Quality in Construction. The award highlights a commitment to quality, green and/or innovative projects. These awards are open to all asphalt producers, paving contractors, and road owners in the United States. These awards recognize excellence in three tiers of paving: 

    • Projects using less than 50,000 tons of asphalt. The top 10 highest scoring projects earn an acclaimed Larry H. Lemon Award.
    • Projects using more than 50,000 tons of asphalt. The following year, the highest scoring highway projects move to the semi-finalist stage of the Sheldon G. Hayes Award. The award is bestowed based on stringent IRI testing and a thorough site visit.
    • Airport pavement projects. The highest scoring airport earns a coveted Ray Brown Award.

    Operational Excellence. Operational excellence can be demonstrated in three ways:

    • The Community Involvement Award recognizes outstanding programs in community relations. This award is based on a company's complete community relations program. Employee participation is weighted heavily. 
    • The Asphalt Operations Safety Innovations Award recognizes safety practices that are above and beyond normal safety practices. Innovations can be items/practices invented for a specialized use or items/practices that are adapted from other industries and implemented by the asphalt pavement industry. 
    • The Environmental Leadership Award is the pinnacle award for asphalt plants in the U.S. Those who have already been recognized with a Diamond Achievement Sustainable Commendation may apply. Industry peers judge submitted materials and select winners based on the plant's appearance as well as the company's environmental and social stewardship. 

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