Asphalt Testing Solutions & Engineering is located on an asphalt contractor and producer’s plant site. When requesting to visit our accredited asphalt lab, you are also welcomed to tour the production site. A full tour consists of a walk-through the plant, the asphalt quality control lab, binder testing lab and asphalt performance testing lab. For more information or to reserve your spot, complete the form below and select tour under “Select Class.”
To schedule a tour or for more information, complete the form below.
We are always looking to add valuable members to our team! Visit our careers page!
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Asphalt Testing Solutions & Engineering
7544 Philips Highway
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Phone: (904) 503-5100
Fax: (904) 296-6574
Email: [email protected]
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“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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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 Asphalt Paving Levels 1 & 2.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nationally known for her dedication and contributions to the industry, Tanya is a reputable addition to the ATS team. Throughout her 20 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.”
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, an asphalt mix producer and paving contractor, 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 enjoys spending time with his family and fishing.
As technologies continue to develop and progress, how do transportation personnel know what’s available on the market and how each option works? Available modifiers are performance driven and fall into the following categories: chemical (anti-strips, warm mix), rejuvenators (crude oil, corn oil), recycled (ground tire rubber), polymers (latex, elastomers) and mixture (fibers, lime).
Completed project overview of St Johns County Sheriff’s Office Training Complex in St. Augustine, Florida. Paving of three parking lots, entrance road and county road, 33 sq. yard test track. Watch a short video overview of the completed project here!
Your pavement (roads and parking lots) is one of your property’s largest expenses. Did you know there are ways to extend the life of this asset, saving you thousands of dollars? Learn different solutions to fix pavement deficiencies and how to discuss options with contractors. Having a proper maintenance plan in place is vital to the safety and aesthetics of your roads and/or parking lots. You can check out our short animated video with helpful tips here!
July 8 – 9
August 19 – 20
September 23 – 24
October 21 – 22
November 18 – 19
December 15 – 16
Trying to sift through pages and pages of specifications to find the updates can be a daunting task, but our team has you covered! In this session attendees will review differences between AC-150-5370-10 and AC-150-5370-10H. Our instructor will review Part 6 (Flexible Pavements) and focus on P-401 and P-403 which are most common in Florida. We will also touch on P-404 (fuel resistant) under Part 6. Attendees will also learn about the updates in Part 8 (Surface Treatment) including P-632 (Rejuvenation).
Learn what the future of mix design looks like for your state by reviewing the concepts of NAPA’s Balanced Mix Design and FHWA’s Performance Related Specifications.
With so many new variables in binder and mixtures to consider, such as higher RAP, asphalt rejuvenators and polymers, selecting the correct test(s) and interpreting the results are more important than ever. Implementing asphalt performance testing will not only apply to mix designs but will also open possibilities for more innovation in asphalt binder and mixture modifiers.
This presentation will cover the most common performance tests involved in balance mix design, such as Hamburg Wheel Tracking and I-FIT tests, best practices involving sample preparation and compare traditional volumetric design with balanced mix design. Current asphalt specifications and implementation will also be discussed.
Discover what the next steps are and how to prepare for your future with balanced mix design.
Due to the increase in asphalt modifiers available in the market, how do I know what I need and if I am getting what I asked for? How do different additives perform? What do I need to know about testing them?
Most commonly, when modifiers are discussed in the asphalt industry, they are referring to asphalt binder modifiers. These modifiers can be a range of polymers, chemical additives, organic materials, softening agents, asphalt rejuvenators, etc. Each category contains an endless line of products.
Modifiers are not isolated to the asphalt binder – mixtures are being modified as well. An ideal asphalt mixture modifier will focus on improved resistance to rutting and cracking. Some of these modifiers fall in the categories of fibers, treated plastics, fillers and recycled materials.
Learn about these different types of modifiers, some of the common tests to evaluate them and the benefits they bring during production and paving. Also hear about a few projects that attribute to their successes to mixtures containing modifiers.
Want to know how to extend the life of your pavement with less costly processes than a traditional “mill and fill?” It’s all about applying the right treatment to the right place at the right time to save or delay future expenditures. Pavement preservation increases the average condition of pavement while decreasing the average spending. It is a cost-effective, “green” way to maintain our roads’ integrity and longevity. Roads are a capital asset in which we must take a proactive approach to protect.
Learn about a typical pavement lifecycle deterioration curve and the different treatments used to preserve it before it hits the point of accelerated deterioration. While no pavement preservation specifications are currently owned by the FDOT, the Florida Pavement Preservation Council (FPPC) partnered with them to write asphalt specifications that can be applied to city and county roads.
Asphalt Quality Control is the system used by a contractor to monitor, test and make adjustments to their production and placement processes as needed to ensure the final product will meet defined asphalt specifications. It is a process that helps a company ensure it creates quality products and that its staff and management alike make minimal mistakes. Training and goals help a company achieve high quality. Quality Assurance is planned and continued actions and observations to provide confidence that a product or facility will perform up to the required standards in service. It’s a system process for failure prevention which ensures that the final deliverable product or service is error free or within limits. It’s a process to audit the asphalt quality control measurements against the requirements. If they match up, then the quality assurance process is considered successful. Both systems are vital to the success of any asphalt production and paving project.
Learn the “accountability chart” to define roles of quality assurance and understand the responsibilities of each role during a project. Discuss the elements involved with these concepts such as agency acceptance, dispute resolutions and independent assurance, and discuss the top causes of poor pavement performance. Understanding the causes of poor performance is the first step in making the necessary adjustments for improvement.
First there was Hubbard Field, then Hveem and then Marshall mix design. Today we follow the Superpave system. Superpave mix design was developed to create a performance-based asphalt binder and asphalt mixture specification. While the binder performance-based specification took shape in the form of the PG specification (AASHTO M 320), the performance-based mix design system turned out to be more complex than anticipated and a volumetric mix design system was implemented as AASHTO M 323.
Over time with experience and technology, each state has modified or adjusted the specifications for AASHTO M 320 and M 323.
Learn about the differences how the Superpave system is used with the different AASHTO specifications released. Where is Superpave going and what is with balanced mix design, Superpave5 and low air void mixtures?
Asphalt is 100% recyclable and the United States’ most recycled product. Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) is produced when an old road is ground up by a milling machine. These millings or RAP is then saved, brought back to an asphalt plant and recycled into future asphalt mixtures. The majority of the asphalt mixtures around the country use RAP, averaging just over 20% by weight of the aggregate.
Depending on the state, location and placement of mixture, different percentages of RAP are accepted in asphalt mix designs. With the availability of softer asphalt binders and the increased use of asphalt rejuvenators, just how much RAP can we use in our asphalt mixes; can we use 100% RAP to produce an acceptable pavement? Does anyone currently approve a 100% RAP mix design for a surface mixture?
Discuss what components must be considered to ensure a smooth, long-lasting ride when using a 100% RAP mixture.