Meet The Team

Derek has spent over ten years in the industry as a roadway and plant inspector and is certified in CTQP Asphalt Plant Levels 1 & 2 and CTQP Asphalt Paving Levels 1 & 2.  He has worked for ATS since its inception.  “I have seen it grow from three employees to a whole team of highly skilled professionals.”

Prior to working in the asphalt industry, Derek was active in promoting American roots music around the Jacksonville Beach area working with local and internationally touring bands.  When he’s not at work, he enjoys spending time with his amazing wife Amanda and their three daughters.

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After serving our country for 22 years in the United States Marine Corps, John began his career in the asphalt industry. He has held numerous positions including Verification Technician, Verification Coordinator, Quality Control, Independent Verification and Bituminous Production Coordinator.

John is certified in QC Manager, Asphalt Paving Levels 1 & 2 as well as Asphalt Plant Levels 1 & 2. He spent 14 years in the industry, most recently working for the Florida Department of Transportation, and brings his knowledge and experience to ATS.

John remembers his first job when he was just a kid. “On the weekends my mom and I would drive around with the lawn mower looking for yards that needed to be cut. From there I built my customer base and had lawns scheduled to cut every weekend!”

When John isn’t working he enjoys spending time with his grandkids.

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David, better known as T-Bird, has been sharing his talents with the asphalt industry for over 25 years. He started as a Ground Man, shoveling and cleaning, and since then added Loader Operator, Ticket Writer, Plant Operator, Plant Foreman, Truck Foreman, Lab Technician and Mix Designer to his resume.

Before he joined the asphalt industry, T-Bird worked in hay fields, baling and loading hay. No stranger to hard work, he has since earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Zoology and is certified in Asphalt Plant Levels 1 & 2 as well as Asphalt Mix Design.

In his downtime, T-Bird enjoys riding his Harley and spending quality time with his family.

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Julian Castro is a Laboratory Specialist at ATS certified in Asphalt Plant Levels 1 & 2. Julian was destined to work with aggregates as he earned his BS in Geological Engineering and his MSc in Production Geology! Prior to working in the asphalt industry, Julian spent over forty years in the oil industry in various technical and executive positions.

Kendell Hulett joins the ATS team as a Laboratory Specialist. His very first job was washing dishes at a seafood restaurant – not a far cry from washing aggregates in the QC lab! When he’s not working Kendell enjoys spending time with his wife and friends, playing the guitar and making music. Fun fact, Kendell can solve that Rubik’s cube you’ve been working on forever!

Although she has no previous experience in the asphalt industry, Jessica has embraced her role in the ATS QC lab and earned her CTQP Asphalt Plant Level 1 certification not long after she started and shortly after, added her CTQP Asphalt Plant Level 2 certification. While she works hard in the lab, she plays hard in her free time too! She is a Christian and enjoys sharing the gospel with others, and she loves to play pool and competitive volleyball. Jessica enjoys working out and, fun fact, she can bench press 215 pounds!

Parker Miller joined the ATS team as a Laboratory Specialist. With two years’ experience in the construction industry working out on the roadways, Parker is embracing his role in the lab. Prior to this industry Parker played college golf, and his first job was at a golf course. When he’s not working, you can usually find him fishing.

Stacey Taylor joins the ATS team as a Laboratory Specialist. He’s new to the asphalt industry and when he’s not working, Stacey enjoys fishing.

Tanner Nestle joins ATS as a Laboratory Specialist. While he is new to the asphalt industry, he is not new to learning new skills! Tanner has earned his BA in Mass Communication and also has earned a level 2 certification in Wine from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust.

When he’s not working, Tanner enjoys spending time outside with his wife and daughter.

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Landon is new to the asphalt industry but is embracing his role at an ATS Roadway Specialist. Landon has always enjoyed the outdoors; prior to working at ATS, he worked outdoors in his lawn-cutting business and when he’s not at work, you can probably find him outside fishing!

Zara brings a great deal of experience to the ATS team as its Asphalt Roadway Specialist. While most of her focus will be handling quality control at the road as a CTQP Asphalt Paving Levels 1 & 2 certified technician, she is also certified in CTQP Asphalt Plant Levels 1 & 2, Earthworks 1 and QC Manager. She began her career over five years ago working for an asphalt contractor and engineering firm. Well versed in DOT and FAA standards and specifications, she has worked on a multitude of projects from state jobs and airports to private jobs at Walt Disney World.

For over 30 years Corbett has been a key player in the asphalt industry, working as a Field Technician and Field Services Director out on the roads. He started his career with Cal-Tech Testing in 1986 and now brings his experience and talent to ATS. He currently holds Asphalt Paving Levels 1 & 2 certifications and has earned Earthwork Levels 1 & 2, ACI Concrete Field Testing, FDOT Concrete Field Inspector, Nuclear Safety and Qualified Sampler Technician certifications in the past.

Corbett’s drive and work ethic dates back to when he was just 15 years old. He earned his GED at this time and went out in the world to work on a cattle ranch in south Texas where he grew up. He worked for the famous Bum Philips (former head coach of the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints).

When he’s not working, Corbett loves spending time with his family and friends. He loves to bow hunt deer, fish benefit tournaments and ride the trails with Jeeps and 4-wheelers. Before he and his wife had their son, he was a semi-professional fisherman in the Red Man and FLW tournaments!

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With five years experience on the roadways and building sites, Jamie Trull joins the ATS team as an Asphalt Roadway Specialist. He earned his Asphalt Paving Levels 1 and 2, Earthworks Level 2 and FDOT Concrete Field Inspector certifications along with formal education in electrical and biomedical engineering.

When he’s not at work Jamie is involved with youth ministry through his church. He enjoys spending time with his family cooking on his smoker, fishing with his boys and playing guitar and singing with his girls. No stranger to music, Jamie spent time after high school touring with bands including Limp Bizkit!

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Certified in CTQP Asphalt Paving Level 1 and Asphalt Paving Level 2, as an ATS Asphalt Roadway Specialist, Jacob has seen his fair share of excitement while providing quality control services out on the road. One incident included an accident where the perpetrator exited his vehicle and attempted to flee the scene! (This is a perfect time to remind anyone reading this to slow down in work zones and watch out for our crews!)

When Jacob is not at work he enjoys working on his truck, playing pool and hanging out with his friends. If you’re lucky, he’ll show you his party trick – he can juggle fire!

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Ben joins the ATS team with over 15 years of experience inthe paving industry. He started on paving crews as a laborer, then an equipmentoperator, and then was promoted to foreman. With all his time working on pavingcrews, Ben’s experience will prove valuable in his role as Asphalt Roadway Specialist.

When Ben’s not at work he enjoys spending time with his family. He loves playing games to unwind especially strategy games to keep his mind sharp – this helps with problem solving on the job site!

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Gerad VanHoosier joins the ATS team as a Performance Lab Technician. While he is new to the asphalt industry, Gerad is embracing his role in the lab and is certified in Asphalt Plant Level 1. With previous experience in manufacturing, fabrication and masonry, Gerad is no stranger to working with his hands. He moved from Ohio to Florida to join the team, which are two of seven states in which he’s resided over the years. When he’s not working, Gerad enjoys spending time with his wife and kids as well as gardening, fishing and hunting.

No stranger to the asphalt industry, Katherine joins the ATS team from Duval Asphalt! She worked on the paving crews at Duval Asphalt as a roller operator, laborer, and forklift operator.

Katherine is a certified Forklift Operator and Class I, IV and V Warehouse forklift Operator.

When she’s not at work, Katherine enjoys hiking, and those who know her, knows she loves Batman!

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Working in the asphalt industry is an exciting change from retail for Coti. He joins the ATS Performance Lab as an aggregate specialist where he’s eager to learn about the industry. With an entrepreneurial spirit, he will be a great asset to the team; knowing he wanted to buy a car when he turned 16, young Coti worked to sell his shoes and made over $10,000! It should be no surprise to learn he was able to buy his first car!

“I didn’t pick asphalt for a career, asphalt picked me,” David said.  He began his career in the asphalt industry in 1996.  At this time his wife was pregnant, and he needed a job with insurance.  It was meant to be a temporary position, but “25 years later, here I am.”

Before his career in the industry, David had a job where he wore a shirt and tie to work every day.  “I don’t miss those days,” he said.  He earned his Associates degree in Business from Hiwassee College and his Bachelor of Science in Business from Tennessee Wesleyan University.  He has worked in numerous positions in the asphalt industry from laborer to QC technician to mix designer.  He is certified in Asphalt Plant Level 1, QC Manager and Asphalt Mix Designer.  He was a mix designer in Tennessee, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

When David isn’t working he enjoys going to church, real estate and college football (Go Vols!).  He loves cars and has a ‘72 El Camino, an ‘87 El Camino SS, and a 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT which he claims is his mid-life crisis car!

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Certified in CTQP Plant Level 1 and Plant Level 2, Caleb Mathews joins the ATS team in the Quality Control Lab. Prior to working at ATS Caleb played college basketball for Faulkner University before transferring to Liberty University where he graduated with a degree in business administration. When he’s not at work Caleb enjoys playing video games and working out.

Cameron joins the ATS team as a Performance Lab Technician.Fun fact, he can juggle, which will prove valuable in managing multipleprojects simultaneously in the performance lab! Cameron has his automativecertification earned through Chattanooga State Community College, and when he’snot at work, chances are, you can find Cameron outside. He enjoys hiking,skateboarding and mountain biking as well as driving and working on his 350z.

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Joining the ATS team from Texas, Eddy first started workingwith asphalt when flipping houses through an investment company. Now working inthe lab, he has a better appreciation for the product! When he’s not workingEddy enjoys playing soccer, working out and reading. He says, “most people findit boring, but I love reading!” He also loves watching sports – especially whenthe Mavs are playing!

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Certified in NICET levels 1 & 2 and the Asphalt Institute’s National Binder Technician Certification, Sonia Serna brings over 31 years of asphalt industry experience as the Binder Lab Manager at ATS. After college (Windward Community College in Kaneohe, HI) Sonia worked for IPR (International Plant Research) with a variety of orchid plants. She transitioned to the asphalt industry (and the mainland) working as PRI’s very first asphalt technician. Acronyms seem to play a big role in Sonia’s life having worked at IPR then PRI now ATS, and she plans to continue working in the industry until she is RIP (retired in peace)!

When she’s not at work, Sonia enjoys being outdoors: walking or running, enjoying the beach and boating. She loves football season and watching NFL games, and she also enjoys taking ballroom dancing classes!

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Renee joins the ATS team as a Binder Lab Technician. While this is her first time working in an asphalt binder lab, she is no stranger to lab work. Her first job was working as a lab assistant at the University of South Florida (USF) Department of Chemistry, and during her last semester working at a university lab, one of her students started a chemical fire, that luckily, she was able to extinguish!

Renee earned her BS in Health Sciences/Psychology from USF and her MS in Forensic Science from Saint Leo University. She is a certified National Binder Technician by the Asphalt Institute. When she’s not at work, Renee loves to engage in any athletic activity – she’s a trained boxer!

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Rebecca Kohl joins the ATS team in the Binder Lab. While she is new to the industry, she is not new to customer service which will prove valuable in her role as an Asphalt Binder Technician. While working full time in the lab, Rebecca earned her degree in Forensic Investigations from Keiser University!

When she’s not working, Rebecca enjoys playing games, reading and listening to crime-related podcasts! Fun fact about Rebecca, she is in the 10% of people in the world who are left-handed!

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Earning his degree in Biological Engineering, Josh is no stranger to working in labs. This will prove valuable in his role as an ATS Asphalt Binder Technician. When he’s not working he enjoys driving his stick shift car(not so common these days!) as well as gaming and watching movies and tv.

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