Caltrans and Industry representatives continue work on reviewing and updating of the 2015 Standard Specifications.

With 12 Divisions and 99 sections in the Standard Specifications, it's been a tedious task with both Caltrans and Industry looking optimistically and eagerly towards the finish line. According to  Caltrans Office Engineer, which is part of the Division of Engineering Services, the target date for electronic publication of the Standard Specifications is October 2015.

Caltrans is the largest consumer of asphalt in California and the state transportation agency's specifications are highly influential with many cities and counties, as well as the private industry. A formalized specification review process is one of the tasks of the joint Caltrans-industry Rock Products Committee.

Currently, 58 draft sections are available for review with another 25 sections on the horizon. The draft 2015 Standards Specifications sections are posted by the Division of Engineering Services, Office Engineer at the following site HERE. 

Comments or questions on the draft 2015 Standard Specification sections can be e-mailed to the dedicated e-mail address: 2015.standards (at) dot(dot)ca(dot)gov. You can also send comments to Chuck Suszko or Jim Cotey at the following e-mail addresses: Chuck(dot)Suszko(at)dot(dot)ca(dot)gov or  Jim(dot)Cotey(at)dot(dot)ca(dot)gov.*

More details on the development of the 2015 Standard Specifications are available in CalAPA member-only "Member Alerts." Watch this space for announcements about upcoming CalAPA "Section 39 Specifications" classes to be held at various locations throughout the state. 

*NOTE: The "@" symbol has been replaced with "(at)" and periods have been replaced with "(dot)" in the e-mail addresses above to deter malicious e-mail spam software.  

Friends, colleagues, competitors and other well-wishers gathered last week to give a jolly send-off to Bob Putz, an industry fixture who is retiring after more than 20 year
two decades at Telfer Oil.

The July 15 event at the Lion's Gate Hotel and Conference Center in the Sacramento suburb of McClellan Park, was filled with good cheer and great stories for the guest of honor.

"The thing I respect about Bob is his knowledge, integrity and honesty," said Don Frankel, Vice President for Operations for Telfer. "He's always been an advocate for customers, his employer and his industry. He's a serious guy -- serious about doing a good

Bob Putz (right) with Skip Brown with Asphalt Consulting Services.

job."

Recently, Putz has been co-manager with Chris Walker, who said he has known Putz since he was in his 20s and that over their careers they have been competitors and co-workers, as well as friends.

"He was a deep-rudder in our business," Walker said. "He has a depth of knowledge that will be missed."

Putz received an engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin and has been an avid Badger fan ever since. He went to work for Standard Oil Company in Chicago in 1967, and then moved to California two years later to work for Shell Oil.

In 1977 Putz went to work for Sheldon Oil Company, and in 1989 took a job as a sales manager for Reed & Graham. He joined Western Oil and Spreading, a Telfer company, in 1997.

"He is well-respected throughout the industry," said Scott Dmytrow, a colleague at Telfer.

Longtime colleague Tim Phillips, manager of Telfer weigh-in yards, described Putz as a "go-to guy," adding: "He's real - as real a person as you can get."

Another longtime colleague, Dan Barber, a fellow engineer, said "What always comes across is his integrity. He's very knowledgeable and well-respected in the industry."

Co-workers noted Putz' knack for cultivating long-term relationships and developing innovative products. He was, they said, instrumental in developing new ways of doing chip seals for the U.S. Forest Service in California, and opening up the market in China for specialty asphaltic products.

For his part, Putz said he was appreciative for all the industry has done for him, particularly Mike and John Telfer. "I've enjoyed a great career -- I'm very blessed," he said, adding that his key to success is honesty and confidentiality. "If you have knowledge about a company or their operations, keep it private. Don't sell anyone's secrets. If people didn't trust me, I'm out of business."

Putz says he plans to enjoy his retirement and spend more time with his family. He and his wife, Edith, have two children, Josh and Jenny.

Pictured, from left, Gordon Rayner, Chris Walker, Bob Putz and Mike Telfer.

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."