At PAVE/X, we talk a lot about education. But not just the kind that targets business owners or first-year laborers. What about the people in the middle? The foremen, project managers, estimators, and superintendents who are the operational backbone of any paving company. That gap is exactly what Bryce Harem, General Manager of Central Paving, is working to fill through his involvement with the PAVE/X Education Advisory Board.
In a recent video interview with Jessica Lombardo, Harem explained why he’s so passionate about improving education for mid-tier leaders in the asphalt and pavement maintenance industry. After attending the inaugural PAVE/X and eventually joining as both a speaker and board member, Bryce saw a clear need.
"[There's] a lot for business owners, and a lot for crews just learning the basics," he said. "But that middle manager, that project engineer, that estimator...that’s where we were lacking. And that’s where we’re evolving."
Bryce’s own journey is a case study in what’s possible when you invest in professional development. He didn’t grow up in construction. Instead, he entered the industry through what he calls the, “briefcase contractor,” route. He's was college-educated but lacked field experience. The learning curve was steep.
"I got humbled really quick," he admitted. "This book says this is how you should do it. We all know that's not the case, and I learned the hard way."
That real-world contrast is exactly what his PAVE/X course, The Middleman Mindset, aims to bridge. Designed to help crew leaders navigate between ownership’s vision and the field’s reality, the session blends mindset coaching with tactical communication strategies. In 2025, the session is expanding from a one-hour overview to a two-part deep dive. One is focused on personal foundation and mental health, and the other on leadership skill-building and conflict navigation.
Bryce is most excited about making the content interactive.
"I wanted to break out and actually run through some scenarios, do some role playing, and do some different things that we've tried in the past and really enjoyed with our teams," he said.
That boots-on-the-ground realism is what sets PAVE/X apart. And it’s not just about education. It’s also about connection.
"[People] are hungry for it," Bryce said. "You want to be around it, and you want to get involved. And I think that's probably the biggest reason as to why I continue to want to do it."
That whole-crew buy-in is critical. The return on investment might not show up overnight, Bryce admits, but over one-to-three years, the impact compounds. It changes the way your team communicates, solves problems, and builds culture.
As Jessica previewed in the interview, this year’s event in New Orleans will include not just upgraded classroom content but also hands-on experiences like a roller rodeo and a striping competition. It’s all part of the push to make PAVE/X more than a conference, but into a full blown crew-building accelerator.
So, if you're wondering whether the time and travel are worth it, take it from someone who’s seen the transformation firsthand. "I didn’t want to miss a class," Bryce said. "I learned something in every one."
PAVE/X registration opens soon. And if you're serious about leveling up your team—not just the people at the top, but the ones holding it all together in the middle—you won’t want to miss it.
