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Article courtesy of the Pearl River Electric Power Association
written by Debbie String

Lawrence Warren can't recall a time when he wasn't working with asphalt. "I've never done anything else but this," he said. "I grew up in the business and never even had another job."

Warren is president and chief executive officer of Warren Paving, Inc. in Hattiesburg. His father founded the business in the early 1950s. Warren took over management in 1972. He was recently named chairman of the National Asphalt Paving Association (NAPA), a trade organization composed of 750 member firms across the country. His duties as chairman will include traveling to other state asphalt association meetings to inform members of NAPA activities and build membership.

During his 19 years of membership, Warren has held nearly every leadership position in NAPA.

Warren's first job in the asphalt business was helping pave parking lots with only a shovel and a pile of hot asphalt. Since then he has worked in all areas of paving and asphalt production. "I've done it all," he said.

Warren Paving's Hattiesburg plant will produce an estimated 300,000 tons of hot-mix asphalt this year. Of that amount, around 275,000 tons will be laid by the company's own road crews, the remainder will be sold. The company's second plant, built this year in Gulfport, utilizes the latest technology in production and quality control. "It's brand new, just out of the box," Warren said. When fully operational, the Gulfport plant will produce an estimated 300,000 tons of hot-mix asphalt a year.

The two plants allow Warren Paving to serve an area from the coast to Magee. The company currently employs around 80 workers. Warren expects his labor force to grow to 100 employees when the Gulfport plant gets up to speed.

Warren describes his job as a manager of people and promotes a team approach to getting the job done. "It's people who do the work," he explained. "My job is to inspire them to want to do this and to feel that they're accomplishing something.

Lawrence Warren can't recall a time when he wasn't working with asphalt. "I've never done anything else but this," he said. "I grew up in the business and never even had another job."

Warren is a respected leader in the state's asphalt industry. He serves on the board of the Mississippi Road Builders Association and is past president of the Mississippi Asphalt Pavement Association.
Warren's leadership qualities make him an effective member of the Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association board of directors, where he is serving a three-year term to represent members in his area.

Warren Paving became a Pearl River Valley EPA member eight years ago when Warren built the plant in the Dixie community after moving the operation from Petal. Warren has been pleased with the service his electric cooperative delivers. "I'm tickled to death," he said. "My service is wonderful; my rates are wonderful. [Pearl River Valley EPA General Manager] Tom Shows is the most accommodating man I've ever met. He'll wear you out doing something for you."

Community involvement is also important to Warren. He serves on the boards of the Salvation Army and Trustmark National Bank. He is a past board member of the Area Development Partnership and the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation. He was also a member of the Forrest County Industrial Park Commission.

But Warren is most passionate about his work for the Pine Belt Boys and Girls Club, for which he served the past three years as president. He has worked hard to secure well-known speakers, including football star Walter Payton, sportscaster Robin Roberts and Sen. Trent Lott, to ensure success at the club's annual fundraising banquet. Warren estimates the Pine Belt Boys and Girls Club helps around 600-700 children each summer. Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association congratulates Lawrence Warren on his NAPA chairmanship and his numerous contributions to his community and Pearl River Valley EPA members.


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