Meet the Asphalt Testing Solutions & Engineering Team
The ATS team has combined experience working in numerous positions from Bituminous Manager to Independent Verification Inspector. Our technicians are certified in Asphalt Plant Level 1 & Level 2, Asphalt Paving Level 1 & Level 2, QC Manager and Asphalt Mix Designer.
Steve McReynolds
smcreynolds@ats.consulting

Tanya Nash

Considered the “Asphalt Technical Expert” Steve McReynolds brings over 20 years of industry knowledge as the Director of Operations for Asphalt Testing Solutions & Engineering. As the District 5 Bituminous Coordinator and District 2 Bituminous Manager during his tenure with the FDOT, he is known for his consultative and technical advice which provides strategic problem solving with a variety of solutions.
Steve is contracted by Duval Asphalt as its QC Manager. His broad spectrum of construction knowledge and extensive application of project Specification requirements makes him a valuable resource to ensure customers are always compliant with state and local government regulations.
In his free time, Steve coaches youth baseball and enjoys fishing and camping.
Nationally known for her dedication and contributions to the industry, Tanya is a reputable addition to the ATS team. Throughout her 18 years in the industry she served on many state and national committees and research projects expanding her knowledge in asphalt properties and characteristics nationwide. Exposure to international specifications and test methods led Tanya to experience the vast uses and challenges of asphalt pavements and products worldwide.
Tanya was instrumental in the development of PG Binder Specifications for recycled materials as well as the QC program for Florida’s Asphalt Liquid Suppliers. She was also involved in the development of an alternate binder specification making ground tire rubber and polymer modified binders a market driven product.
Tanya was also a driving force in the development and maintenance of the Florida DOT’s Asphalt Construction Data Management System. Her technical insight paired with her experience in research and field operations provides ATS customers with meticulous reporting after completing site investigations and forensic analysis cases.
Tanya graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science & Biomechanics and a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering. When she’s not at work Tanya enjoys training in Martial Arts and playing soccer with her husband and daughter. Her bucket list includes “traveling around the world to find that perfect craft beer.”
Derek Bennett
dbennett@ats.consulting

Dawson Padgett

John Holton

Derek has spent ten years in the industry as a roadway and plant inspector and is certified in CTQP Asphalt Plant Levels 1 and 2 and CTQP Asphalt Paving Levels 1 and 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.
Dawson began his career in the asphalt industry as a Performance Lab Technician at ATS Jacksonville and now manages the operations of the Performance Lab.
Dawson’s experience managing multiple projects simultaneously brings great value to this role, as does his experience testing and analyzes a multitude of research projects for ATS customers over the years.
When Dawson is not at work, he likes to spend time with his family, build and race cars and go fishing.
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.
David Bone

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 Levels 1 & 2 as well as Mix Design.
In his downtime, T-Bird enjoys riding his Harley and spending quality time with his family.
Art Chancey

After attending college, Art began his career in the road construction industry. His experience over the past seven years covers asphalt paving, earthworks and concrete. Art is CTQP certified in Paving levels 1 & 2.
Alex Coleman

Since 2013, Alex has worked in multiple positions in the asphalt industry. He started as a laboratory technician and then a senior field technician. Alex now brings his experience to ATS working in the Performance Lab as a Performance Lab Technician.
Dannielle Haley

Dannielle Haley, ATS Performance Testing and Binder Lab Client Manager, joined the team with 27 years’ experience in the construction industry. She has quickly worked her way through different positions from receptionist to dispatch to office management and found a passion for the industry. Dannielle earned her Associates Degree in Business Administration and Management from Penn Foster and is currently enrolled at the University of Phoenix pursuing her degree in Construction Management. When she’s not working or studying Dannielle spends her free time with her kids and family cooking, hanging out at the pool and defending her title as Nerf Gun Fight Champion!
Mike Jowers

Mike started his career in the asphalt industry as a quality control lab technician three years ago. He enjoys it and has been certified in both CTQP Plant Levels 1 & 2.
Zara Koerber

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 Paving Levels 1 & 2 certified technician, she is also certified in CTQP Plant Levels 1 & 2, Earthworks 1 and 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.
During her time on the roadway, she has seen some pretty crazy things! “One time we were paving the Sanford airport terminal road, and the police were chasing someone, and he side-swiped all the equipment!”
When she’s not at work, Zara enjoys taking care of her farm. Her piece of advice: “Giving up is viewed as weak or lazy, but knowing WHEN to give up is actually an incredibly useful skill to have.”
Shawna Kovacs

Although Shawna is fairly new to the paving world, she brings over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. She has worked in an administrative role in building remodels, new construction and restaurants. She’s carried her strong work ethic with her from her very first job at Ryan’s Steak House; she was promoted from hostess to head waitress in just two weeks!
Poor Shawna was trapped in the back offices when she first came to work at ATS. “I didn’t have the code to get out, and I didn’t know anyone’s extension to call for help!” There was a nasty thunderstorm outside at this time, so she had to wait for the storm to stop or someone to find her. About 30 minutes later, an employee walked by and was able to let Shawna out!
This self-proclaimed “big kid” enjoys surfing with her family and traveling to foreign countries when she’s not at work.
Caleb Mathews

Caleb Mathews is new to the asphalt industry and is enjoying working in the ATS Performance Testing 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.
Jillian Matkovics

Jillian Matkovics, a recent graduate of the University of Florida, joined the ATS team as a Binder Lab Technician. Although she has no previous experience in the asphalt industry, her degree in Botany will prove valuable in the lab! When she’s not at work Jillian enjoys traveling, exploring nature, caring for her plants at home and spending time with her friends and family.
David McNabb

“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 Plant Level 1, QC Manager and 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!
Grant Norman

The 2022 reigning Jacksonville Icemen Intermission Sumo Wrestling Champion, Grant Norman, began his career in the asphalt industry here at ATS after he served our country in the United States Army. He is the resident rock guy, certified in Aggregate Testing Level 1. Although new to the industry and company he has some crazy work stories, yet he’ll “never snitch on the work bros.” When he’s not working (and not having to defend his sumo title), Grant enjoys watching and attending sporting events, playing video games and hanging out with his friends and family.
Corbett Reynolds

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!
Molly (Soltis) Berry

Molly earned her advertising degree from Marquette University and has been in marketing roles in various industries throughout her career. She joined the Asphalt Testing Solutions & Engineering team about three years ago with no experience in the asphalt industry and has embraced all opportunities to learn more about it. She spent her first year working in the lab and on the roadway to get hands-on experience and is certified in Asphalt Paving 1 & 2, Asphalt Plant 1 & 2, Mix Design and Intermediate MOT. “Taking time to apply the skills and knowledge I learned to get certified in the lab and in the field definitely helps me in my current position!”
When she’s not at work, she enjoys traveling, golfing, going to concerts and cheering on her Wisconsin teams.
Swathi Theeda

Swathi is the Asphalt Binder Engineer at ATS, responsible for overseeing and developing a fully accredited asphalt binder lab. She is also responsible for consulting with existing and potential clients to provide critically thought-out solution paths as well as spearheading research and development of new and existing products and identifying possible growth opportunities.
Prior to ATS Swathi worked as R&D Engineer with Blacklidge Emulsions Inc. where she developed and led research projects in the pursuit of new and innovative premium asphalt and related products. In addition, she also provided technical support during product introduction or post-use by the customers, troubleshooted technical issues and provided resolution paths whenever applicable.
Swathi received her master’s in civil engineering from Texas A&M University with focus on construction materials, specifically asphalt materials, and bachelor’s in civil engineering from Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) with primary focus on cement concrete materials.
During her graduate work, she was part of an effort to implement a chip seal binder specification in the state of Texas while she pursued research work on various concrete technologies during her undergraduate studies.
When she is not working with asphalt, you can find her doing CrossFit or hiking in one of the national parks or creating new art pieces/DIYing around the house!
Darrell VanBrocklin

From his early high school days working at Dominics Pizza and being scouted at Kona Skate Park, Darrell has been working in the asphalt industry for the past five years. He is new to the ATS performance lab, but previously, he was a hands-on distributor operator working out in the field with the paving crews. Now he is looking forward to learning the testing side of the industry in the lab.
When he’s not working, Darrell enjoys hiking, camping, joyriding on a motorcycle and playing video games with his friends.
Jessica Walker-Gray

Although she has no previous experience in the asphalt industry, Jessica has embraced her role in the ATS QC lab and earned her CTQP Plant Level 1 certification not long after she started. 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!
In loving memory of Bucky McDaniel…
On December 28, 2018, we lost Bucky, a beloved member of our team. He was our friend, favorite FSU fan, chef, our steady source of encouragement, animal lover and confidant. We are honored to have known him and be a part of his world. We will miss him dearly.
