Sam Nichols

VP of Sales

What does a typical day look like for you at Polyco?

I’m based in Reno, so I handle all accounts west of the Rockies. Right now, my region consists of Arizona and California, but we’ll be in more states soon. 

What did you do before joining Polyco?

Since my dad started the company, I started working here when I was 12 years old. As a kid, I was pretty much just running around, pushing a broom and working in the lab. The experience inspired me to pursue a Biology Degree at Concordia University in Portland. 

What are you most excited about at Polyco?

That there’s always a new technology being developed. And, seeing how sustainability allows us to be on the front lines of innovation in a market that has not historically been sustainable.

Why is sustainability at Polyco important to you?

I’ve always had a passion for the environment and asphalt’s second nature to me. It was an easy choice to come back to Polyco and be part of something that’s really moving the sustainability needle in a way that I can agree with and really enjoy while still taking care of our team, my family and the world.

What does the future look like for you? 

For Polyco, it’s going to be realizing cost effective, sustainable options in both roofing and paving while not sacrificing quality or production time. Also, I’d like us to continue to take care of our people and for more companies to see their employees as assets. 

What do you love to do outside of work?

My wife and I love being outdoors. We have a bunch of chickens and are really into gardening — trying to move towards more of a homestead lifestyle where we’re producing more of our own food. I also love snowboarding, hunting, fishing, golfing and rockhounding. And, of course, spending time with my daughter, Cordelia.

“Sustainability allows us to be on the front lines of innovation in a market that has not historically been sustainable.”

Insights

Our experts share their thoughts on asphalt sustainability, innovation, safety and creating a culture of care.

Advocating for Stronger Asphalt Shingle Codes & Expanded Recycling

For many years, post-manufactured and post-consumer asphalt shingle waste was successfully recycled into asphalt paving, providing both a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to landfill disposal. At one time, asphalt paving companies even paid for post-manufacturing waste due to the value of the unaged asphalt. As paving regulations evolved to become more sustainable, the industry prioritized …

Webinar Recap: Advancing Terminal Blended Tire Rubber Asphalt Performance

The second installment of Polyco’s Back to Black webinar series, A Producer’s Perspective of PGTR for a Sustainable Future, continued the conversation on the evolution of tire rubber asphalt, bringing together leading experts to explore innovations in sustainable pavement solutions. Hosted by Bob Rivers, this session revisited key takeaways from CalAPA’s 2021 discussion on recycling …

Webinar Recap: Rubberized Asphalt Performance Around the World

The first installment of our Back to Black webinar series, Not Lost in Translation, brought together two distinguished experts from opposite sides of the Atlantic to discuss the latest advancements in rubberized asphalt performance.  Henrique Borges Miranda, Ph.D., a pavement engineer and assistant professor at Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, shared insights from his …

Polyco and All American Tire Recyclers Bring Sustainability Full Circle in Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ennis, Texas, November 21, 2024 – In its latest paving project, Polyco, manufacturer of high-performance, sustainable asphalt solutions for the roofing and paving industries, has solidified its partnership with All American Tire Recyclers (All American), affirming the collaboration required to achieve greener, more sustainable infrastructure.  All American, Polyco’s crumb rubber supplier, contracted …

The Science of SigmaBond: How Polyco Engineered its Performance Grade Rubberized Asphalt Binder 

At Polyco, we’re always pushing the boundaries of innovation in asphalt modification. One of our biggest breakthroughs is SigmaBond—a high-performance asphalt binder that includes recycled tire rubber that is liquefied through our unique chemical process (Rapid Digestion Process™). Unlike traditional methods that simply blend crumb rubber with asphalt, RDP harnesses the power of pyrolysis to …

Honoring Excellence at the CalAPA Annual Awards Dinner

Recently, I joined industry leaders at the California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA) Annual Awards Dinner, held at the historic Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles. This evening of camaraderie, celebration, and reflection showcased the achievements of key figures in the asphalt industry while also paying tribute to its storied past. A Night of Recognition and …