AASHTO Journal - AASHTO Re:source Q&A Podcast Wraps Up Season 5

The latest episode of the AASHTO re:source Q&A podcast is a “wrap up” of season five; with hosts Brian Johnson and Kim Swanson reflecting on the insights gleaned from this season’s guests as well as a look ahead to the 2025 Technical Exchange or “TechEx” conference March 17-20, 2025, in Bellevue, WA.

[Above image by AASHTO]

AASHTO re:source is a technical service program offered by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials that provides services and tools through three major programs: the Laboratory Assessment Program, the Proficiency Sample Program or PSP, and the AASHTO Accreditation Program or AAP.

Johnson, director of the AAP, and Swanson, communications manager, highlighted memorable conversations on season five podcast episodes with industry experts, including Bryce Hanlon from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Matt Lineman from the North Dakota Department of Transportation, who both shared valuable insights on AASHTO committee participation and building positive professional relationships.

The shorter season of the Q&A podcast also marked a shift from weekly to biweekly episodes; prompting a plea for more for listener feedback – what Swanson described as a resource “more valuable than download metrics.”

Looking ahead, Johnson discussed his participation in the 2025 TechEx meeting on the podcast; an annual event started in 2017 to connect those in the construction materials testing industry and to share knowledge and best practices.

AASHTO re:source hosts this annual event to pursue its vision of pioneering a quality revolution within the construction materials testing and inspection industry, noting that TechEx is designed as a collaborative conference – where participants’ knowledge and experience are exchanged – for the continual improvement of the industry.

Participants in the 2025 Technical Exchange can expect to walk away with an increased professional network, practical knowledge to boost job performance, and tools to advance organizational objectives.

[Editor’s note: For an overview of what went on at the 2024 TechEx conference, click here.]

Nearly 30 informational sessions are on tap for the 2025 the conference, covering a wide array of topics – including everything from accreditation and construction materials testing to equipment calibration, quality management, and more – within the construction material testing industry.

New at TechEx this year is the highly anticipated Internal Auditor Certificate Course, to be held on Monday, March 17. At the end of this three-hour course, participants will receive a certificate of completion as well as the skills needed to be an effective internal auditor.