Known throughout the asphalt paving industry as the “Father of NAPA,” Sheldon G. Hayes conceived the idea of organizing the National Bituminous Concrete Association in 1955. It was established that same year, and Mr. Hayes became its first President. The organization is now known as the National Asphalt Pavement Association.
Mr. Hayes has also been instrumental in organizing asphalt pavement associations in Illinois and Missouri.
Sheldon Hayes was born in the road construction industry. After Army service in World War I, he worked with his uncles who owned the Hayes Construction Company, becoming a member of the firm in 1921. The following year, he participated in the development of what is now known as rapid- curing cutback asphalt, in a cooperating project of his firm and Standard Oil Company of Indiana. He formed his own company in 1923 to build asphalt roads and maintained offices in Chicago, Evansville, Indiana, and later Detroit.
Throughout his entire career, Mr. Hayes constantly strove to obtain better construction techniques and improvement in asphalt pavements.
Elected: 1969
