ForConstructionPros.com

When asked how they first got into the business, most paving professionals will cite a complimentary career path: construction, landclearing, even employment by another paver. Some, however, find their way into their profession via the most unlikely of routes, the strangest of circumstances.

Dave Long falls into that latter category. The Riverton, WY native was well-entrenched in an educational career when his brother moved to Hawaii, setting in motion a chain of events that would lead Long in a direction he had never foreseen.

That was more than two decades ago. Today, he heads up Dave's Asphalt, and, with the recent addition of a Roadbuilder 160 plant from Asphalt Drum Mixers (ADM), he has completed the transition from teaching to securing his place as one of central Wyoming's larger, more successful paving firms.

School's out in Wyoming

The full story of Long's move from academia to the construction world began in 1989 when his brother sold him a parking lot striping business.

"He was leaving the area for Hawaii and felt I needed something to do when school was out - other than play golf," says Long. "I thought it would be a nice way to make a little extra money, so I agreed.