Baxter obtained his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology from Mississippi State University and began his career with Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc. in 1982. He began as a Sales Engineer, rising to the position of President in January 2011. Additionally, Baxter was recently named as Executive VP of Ergon’s Asphalt Group and serves on Ergon, Inc’s Executive Management Team.
Besides leadership in Ergon’s endeavors, he served our broader industry in positions including President of FP2, Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association (AEMA) and the Asphalt Institute (AI). In February of 2017, Baxter was named to the AEMA Hall of Fame. He was a key component of guiding FP2’s major strategy revision in 2008 leading to a more effective pavement preservation organization.
Baxter’s record of service with the Asphalt Institute is a long one beginning in 1999 with service on the AI Executive Committee and then in 2000 with service on the Institute’s Finance Committee. While he has served on many AI committees over the years, he served as the Institute’s Chair in 2003 and again in 2012. By doing so, he is one of only four individuals with such a level of commitment in contemporary AI history.
The leadership challenges faced during those two periods were critical during the Institute’s history. In from 2002 to 2003, Baxter’s leadership was instrumental in shaping a stronger future for the organization and righting the financial picture time frame with major program and dues adjustments.
Baxter’s second term as Chair in 2012 came immediately following the October 2011 International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) review of bitumen and bitumen fumes which was published in 2012. Again, Baxter helped to lead a fractious industry into a more unified future for all our members and partners. He also worked to strengthen AI organizationally, supporting the creation of our EPIC leadership program.
Baxter also worked hard to re‐build the bridge of relationships with our long-term strategic partner; Eurobitume. Starting in 2002, Baxter voiced the importance of this partnership and personally lead the effort to reinvigorate our communications with Eurobitume, which helped solidify this important relationship.
As a visionary, Baxter was an early supporter of the Institute’s Foundation, created in 2014, where he has served on the Development Committee of the Foundation for several years. It is AI’s pleasure to present Mr. Baxter Burns with its highest award of recognition – the Roll of Honor.
Elected: 2021
