Cactus Asphalt

03/20/2025

As the season ramps up, Viking Construction is gearing up for full-speed ahead! We are excited to see what this new season brings.

03/13/2025

Cactus Asphalt, a Pavement Preservation Group company, proudly received the 2025 AEMA Emulsion Excellence Award last week for its involvement in the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) 299 lane-mile Interstate project, featuring polymer-modified rejuvenating fog seal supplied by Ergon, Inc.

The project covered a substantial area of 1,954,603 square yards (SY) treated with Polymer Modified Rejuvenating Emulsion (PMRE). Through the combined efforts and innovation of all parties involved, Arizona Department of Transportation was able to extend the pavement's life and reduce costly maintenance.

This award reflects Cactus Asphalt's dedication to high-quality workmanship and its commitment to advancing pavement preservation techniques that benefit the community.

03/07/2025

Recognizing the outstanding achievements of the women at Pavement Preservation Group and throughout the construction industry, whose expertise and innovation are transforming the field. From design to ex*****on, women are driving innovation, breaking boundaries, and laying the foundation for a brighter future in the industry. Let’s continue to inspire, empower, and support women who are shaping the future of construction.

03/06/2025

We would like to highlight Kathy Casillas, Project Manager of Viking, a Pavement Preservation Group company. She started in the industry 27 years ago with a home builder in Austin. Throughout her career, working for smaller construction companies allowed her to gain a broad range of skills, from bookkeeping to scheduling and contracts. This hands-on experience taught her valuable lessons about home building, firewalls, concrete, and now asphalt. The flexibility and multitasking required in construction have been key to her growth.

When she started working in the construction industry, there were only a few women in construction-related roles, and it was challenging to voice opinions or suggest changes. Initially, she would take things personally, but by learning, being flexible, and improving her understanding of the industry, she earned respect and is recognized as a valued member of the team.

Kathy firmly believes once you step into the construction world, it’s hard to imagine being in any other career. Her advice to women looking to enter the field is to learn as much as possible about the industry and understand the various roles. Flexibility is crucial, as construction is customer-driven and rarely follows a strict routine, but most importantly finding joy in each day is important.

03/05/2025

03/04/2025

We would like to highlight another strong member of our team, Priscilla Gomez, NV Director of Pavement Preservation at American Pavement Preservation, a Pavement Preservation Group company. In 2007, Priscilla was hired by her father and his business partner to help launch a flooring subcontractor business. At the time, she had no experience with flooring or construction, but over the years, she mastered the ins and outs of commercial flooring and the essential aspects of running a business, including contracts, billing, and payroll. She also gained expertise in reading plans, preparing submittals, and managing accounting.

As the flooring business expanded into a small general contracting company, Priscilla was exposed to other trades, which sparked her passion for the construction industry. This journey ultimately led her to her current role at American Pavement Preservation.

Priscilla’s ability to collaborate and build strong relationships has been invaluable throughout her career. Being a team player has always been a priority for her. One of the main challenges she faced over a decade ago was earning respect in a male-dominated industry. To overcome this, she focused on excelling in her strengths while working hard to improve in areas where she felt less skilled. Over time, the industry evolved, and today, more women are involved in every aspect of construction. Priscilla’s advice to women entering the construction industry is to always ask questions, stay open to learning, embrace challenges, and never be afraid to speak up and share your opinions.

03/03/2025

To start off Women in Construction Week, we would like to showcase Pauline Schopp, AZ Director of Pavement Preservation at Cactus Asphalt, a Pavement Preservation Group company. She first got started in the industry after leaving a nonprofit organization to become a stay-at-home mom to her 2-year-old. While that experience was rewarding, she quickly realized that she thrives in a workplace where she can collaborate with other adults. Initially, she applied for a receptionist position, but once hired, she was given the opportunity to learn and grow in other areas of the business.

Throughout her career in construction, she found that a strong work ethic, determination to be part of something bigger, the satisfaction of seeing her team's efforts come to life and always embracing growth opportunities have been the most valuable driving forces.

Although she feels grateful to be part of a supportive and appreciative team, she encountered challenges when first entering the industry. When she joined Cactus 11 years ago, she worried about her limited knowledge and experience. Aware of the learning and growth ahead, she refused to let being a woman define or restrict her professional ambitions.

For women pursuing a career in construction, she encourages them to trust in their skills and unique strengths. Taking initiative, staying motivated, seeking mentorship, and fostering strong relationships with colleagues are key. Success comes not only from self-confidence but also from teamwork and collaboration.

02/27/2025

is excited to sponsor the 2025 AEMA-ARRA-ISSA Annual Meeting and support the incredible contributions these organizations make to our industry. Join us next week at the event and be sure to visit the Pavement Preservation Group booth!

02/18/2025

Watch Jeff Smith from our Business Development team as he leads an insightful session on Rubberized Chip Seal (RCS) – a sustainable paving solution that incorporates crumb rubber from recycled tires into hot asphalt mix. His expertise was a key highlight at the Rubberized Chip Seal Workshop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Click here to see the workshop video!
https://bit.ly/JeffSmith-RubberizedChipSeal

02/13/2025

Are you a veteran ready for your next career move? Pavement Preservation Group will be at the 2025 Phoenix Veterans Job Fair on February 20th! Visit our booth to explore available roles and meet our team. See you soon!

02/04/2025