Business Visit: Samron Midwest Contracting

This morning, our CEO students had the opportunity to visit our local asphalt plant with Samron, where we gained valuable insight into the operations behind road construction and materials production.

We heard from several key leaders who play an essential role in the plant’s success:

* Grant Guthman, Engineer
* Gio Intravaia, Safety Director
* Joe Bartholomew, Quality Control Manager
* Donnie Endres, General Manager

Joe provided an inside look at the plant’s lab, explaining the specialized equipment used to ensure asphalt meets strict quality specifications. Students learned that there are over 100 different asphalt mixtures, each designed for specific performance needs and longevity. One especially interesting takeaway—approximately 20% of asphalt is made from recycled materials, including old roof shingles and reclaimed road surfaces.

Donnie led a comprehensive tour of the plant, walking students through the process of transforming raw materials into finished asphalt. A highlight of the visit was going behind the scenes inside the plant tower, where students observed the technology in action and watched trucks being loaded.

We also learned that 95% of the asphalt produced at this plant is used for projects with the State of Illinois—an impressive impact on local infrastructure.

Thank you to the Samron team for an engaging and informative experience! We appreciate Samron for their financial investment in Johnson County CEO!

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