MnROAD | NRRA | Pavement Conference
Pavement Awards
Each year, the NRRA Conference recognizes a leader at the Minnesota and National level for their contributions to the pavement industry.
2025 Timeline
- Nominations open November 1-December 6.
- Voting will happen December 9-30.
- For Rohrbach award, voting will be done by MnDOT Research staff, LRRB Board Members, and MEO & Friends.
- For the Skok award, voting will be done by all active NRRA members.
- Recipients will be notified on January 10.
Awards history
The Minnesota Pavement Conference was the original form of the NRRA Conference, starting in 1997. Each year, someone received an award for service in pavement, which was later named after Gerald Rohrbach, a prominent figure from MnDOT. Beginning in 2016, a second award was established in honor of Dr. Eugene Skok, Ph.D., P.E., a well-known instructor, researcher, and mentor to many in Minnesota pavement.
Rohrbach Award Distinguished Service Award for excellence in pavement research
- 2024: Jerry Geib, MnDOT
- 2023: Glenn Engstrom, formerly of MnDOT
- 2022: Curt Turgeon, MnDOT
- 2020 & 2021: no events
- 2019: Ben Worel, MnDOT
- 2018: Dave Rettner, American Engineering Testing
- 2017: Julie Vandenbossche, University of Pittsburgh
- 2016: Michael I. Darter, P.E., Ph.D., Applied Research Associates, Inc.
- 2015: Gerald Reinke
- 2014: Richard Ingberg
- 2013: Rick Kjonaas, Deputy State Aid to Local Transportation Engineer, MnDOT
- 2012: Dave Janisch, Minnesota Department of Transportation
- 2011: Rick West, the county engineer of Otter Tail County
- 2010: Mike Robinson, MnDOT
- 2009: Mark Maloney, public works director and city engineer of Shoreview
- 2008: Doug Schwartz, concrete pavement engineer, MnDOT
- 2007: Duane Blank
- 2006: Patrick Hughes
- 2005: Wayne Fingalson
- 2004: Art Bolland
- 2003: Erland Lukanen
- 2002: Gerald Rohrbach
- 2001: Michael Sheehan
- 2000: George R. Cochran
- 1999: Eugene L. Skok
- 1998: Roger C. Olson
Eugene Skok Distinguished Lecture Award
- 2024: David Timm, NCAT
- 2023: Eshan Dave, UNH
- 2022: Mihai Maristaenu, UMN
- 2020 & 2021: no events
- 2019: Becky McDaniel, Purdue
- 2018: R. Michael Anderson, P.E., Director of Research and Laboratory Services, Asphalt Institute
- 2017: Matt Witczak, Arizona State University
- 2016: David E. Newcomb, P.E., Ph.D, Texas A&M Transportation Institute and Mark Snyder, Engineering Consultant
