The Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association (MAPA) Asphalt Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the asphalt industry in Minnesota. This Hall of Fame is established to recognize leadership, innovation, and service to the asphalt paving community and to inspire future generations of industry professionals.
2023 Hall of Fame Inductees
Kenneth R. Hall was born and raised in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he began his career with Teague Engineering before moving on to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
In 1963, Ken partnered with Gordon Barbarossa to found Hardrives, Inc., an asphalt paving company headquartered in St. Cloud. He even designed the company's "Hardyman" mascot himself. Under his leadership, Hardrives grew steadily through the 1960s, opening a Minneapolis office in 1968 to serve the expanding Twin Cities market and establishing an Outstate Division to cover Greater Minnesota and the Dakotas.
Ken served on MAPA's Board of Directors and was its President in 1982. He retired as President and CEO of Hardrives, Inc. in 1995. Throughout his career, he made a point of bringing his children into the business, passing on his commitment to quality and hard work.
Ken Hall passed away on December 24, 1997, at the age of 63, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the Minnesota asphalt industry. He is perhaps best remembered for the principle that guided his life and career:
"Have a plan and work your plan."
2022 Hall of Fame Inductees
Rich Wolters, Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association
Rich Wolters grew up on a farm in southeastern North Dakota and earned a BS in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State University (NDSU). He became a Registered Professional Engineer in both Minnesota and North Dakota.
Rich began his career with MnDOT, where he spent 21 years in construction, research, environmental services, bituminous engineering, and regional airports. He also led development of the Cold Regions Pavement Research Test Facility (now MnROAD) on I-94 near Monticello. In 1982, as MnDOT's State Bituminous Engineer, he received the National Asphalt Pavement Association Industry Recognition Award for advancing asphalt recycling methods and specs during the OPEC energy crisis.
Rich then served four years as District Engineer for the Asphalt Institute, covering North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota. In 1993, he joined MAPA as Director of Engineering and Training, later helped establish the Dakota Asphalt Pavement Association (1996), and became MAPA's Executive Director in 2002. After 21 years with MAPA, Rich retired in August 2013. Over a 46-year career, he played a significant role in advancing the asphalt industry's leadership, quality, and integrity across the Midwest and nationally.
Bob Ulland, Ulland Brothers Inc.
Bob Ulland graduated from Austin High School (1957) and earned a BS in Civil Engineering and Construction Management from Stanford University in 1961. He began his career at Taggart Construction in Cody, WY and Las Vegas, NV, serving as estimator and equipment superintendent before becoming President (1962–1965).
In 1974, Bob became President of Ulland Brothers, Inc., a highway, heavy construction, and construction materials company operating across Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. He remained a registered engineer and held financial planning responsibilities until his retirement in 2004.
Throughout his career, Bob represented the U.S. highway contractor industry on a Federal Highway Administration study trip to Germany, France, Austria, and Spain (1993) — one of only four contractors selected nationally. He also joined a MnDOT goodwill delegation to Finland, Norway, Estonia, and Sweden in 1996 to promote engineering exchanges between Minnesota and those countries.