Leadership

Jay Thomason

President

jrt@iasolutions.com             901.268.8991

 

 

 

Jay Thomason – President

You’ll find Jay in the field most of the time – either on a job with a crew offering guidance or with a customer discussing a new project. As the Sales Manager and leads Salesman, he is an expert in everything to do with concrete flooring systems and he is most passionate about solving the customer’s problem, coming up with a solution that will give them what they need, and seeing that project executed to their satisfaction. When he is in the office, Jay sets the strategic direction and goals for the company and its growth.

Always a businessman, Jay had his own lawn mowing company at 12 years old, pushing the lawnmower from yard to yard until he was old enough to drive. He continued to build the company through high school and then branched out into scrubbing parking lots, which turned into scrubbing and sealing, polish and then epoxy coating jobs. Selling his lawn company at 19 years old for $20,000, he dove into his expanded business and built it while earning his Bachelors Degree, paying his own way through college with the proceeds of his business.

Jay learned all he knows through the school of hard knocks, making mistakes, fixing them until the customer was delighted, and working himself to the point of exhaustion. In 2004, he bought a business to open a division in Birmingham, started a supply company, Tri-State Supply Solutions, and brought on a Director of Operations to manage the teams during a strong growth phase – while the rest of the country was battling the recession. Industrial Applications, Inc. has continued to grow both in scope of services and in size, and is one of the premier concrete flooring companies in the country.

When Jay steps away from the business for a minute, his favorite vacation spot is in the mountains of Colorado where he enjoys snow skiing and snow boarding. He earned his Private Pilot License and is working on his Instrument Rating. Jay also enjoys spending time at baseball games with his sons and golfing when he can fit it in.

 

Mike Tillman – Director of Operations

Mike is a native Memphian, joined the IA team in January of 2009 and currently serves as Director of Operations.  He takes pride in solving problems and providing solutions to his team and clients. Mike has an extensive knowledge of resinous coatings and polished concrete that he uses to keep things on track day to day.

He previously served as a sales representative for IA following nine years in the automotive industry serving as a sales representative, e-commerce manager, and finance manager.

Mike enjoys spending time with his wife Shelley and two daughters, Annabel and Ashby. Mike is an avid hunter and fisherman who finds relaxation in the woods and on the water, often with friends, family and his Bluetick, Hank.

 

Sergio Alvarez – Operations Manager

As the Operations Manager, Sergio is extremely active day in and day out, assisting the crews to gather their proper materials, equipment and to ensure their crew is assembled.  He’s an amazing resource for our team members and works with them on a whole variety of tasks.  His role is very dynamic and that’s the part he loves the most! He’s passionate, determined, dedicated and is often working early, late and any day of the week.

Prior to joining the IA team in 2012, Sergio was a recruiter for Hospitality Staffing Solutions in Atlanta, GA, and a Bartender at Saltillo Mexican Restaurant in Ocean Springs, MS.  He holds an Accounting Degree from the University Autonomous of Coahuila, Mexico, and is very proud of winning a Championship Football Title in high school.

When he gets an occasional break from work, Sergio practices his accordion, plays with his cats and dog, and vacations at a beach – anywhere – as long as his wife is by his side. His favorite TV show is Seinfeld and his best-loved toys as a kid were Star Wars toys.

 

Bridget DiCello, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Marketing

Bridget’s passionate about improving processes, skill level, customer satisfaction and profitability. She is often described as a paradoxical blend of relentless and empathetic.  Her greatest desire is to help others grow and succeed.

Prior to starting with the team at IA, Bridget worked in the operations of an electrical and plumbing company after spending nearly 15 years as a business coach for various trades and professional services. Her first career was as a Nursing Home Administrator, where she spent almost a decade in the leadership of nursing home and assisted living facilities. Bridget has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Health Administration and a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Operations Management.

When not working, Bridget enjoys spending time with her family, horses, dogs, playing piano, and reading. Growing up, Bridget loved playing with legos and riding horses, and still enjoys both today! Her favorite vacation spot is the Southwest of Australia, and she’d love to take a pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes during her lifetime.

 

Brian Hodges – Sales Representative

Brian started with IA in August of 2014 and brings an honest, loyal and transparent approach to building relationships and servicing customers. Since joining IA, Brian has successfully sold flooring solutions in several industries to include medical, automotive, food and beverage, manufacturing, aviation, warehousing, municipalities, higher learning, retail, and sports and gaming.

In 2004, prior to joining IA, Brian founded Granite Dealer, LLC, a granite distribution company based in Memphis, TN. During his tenure as owner/operator, Granite Dealer, LLC was recognized as an outstanding local business by the USCA (U.S. Commerce Association).

Brian graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in 1996. He currently lives in Olive Branch, MS with his wife Andrea, and their 3 children. Brian and his family are active in the community, supporting many different non-profit organizations.

 

Michael Simpson – Sales Representative

Having worked most recently as a VP of Flooring doing estimating, project management, sales, and operations, Michael is very familiar with all aspects of flooring projects.  As a Sales Representative in the Greater Jackson Area, he meets with potential customers and has a great deal of knowledge to be able to assist them in coming up with the best solution for their particular situation. Since he joined us four years ago, his favorite part of his job is giving the customer a solution to their problem.

When he’s not out meeting with potential customers, Michael enjoys hunting, fishing, golf, and he really wants to make it to the Masters during his lifetime.  He has always wanted to be in sales – or be a firefighter – helping people one way or another!  Michael enjoys spending time with his children and his Redbone Coonhound, Tess and his Golden Doodle, Cash.  His favorite toy as a kid was a Paintball gun and I guess that carries over to his favorite movie, The Outlaw Josey Wales.

 

Robert Valentine – Estimator

Robert knows the products and services we provide inside and out.  He spends most of his time as our Estimator gathering information, blueprints and specifications about prospective and upcoming jobs, and generates a massive amount of quotes and project plans. Well versed in the different solutions that are available and what flooring systems will work in different situations, Robert is a key player who works with the prospective customer and the salesperson to get a project ready to begin. A hard worker, Robert loves that there will always be a pile of work to do – and he will never be without something to price!

Robert started at IA in 2014 and worked in the field before moving into an Estimator position – so he knows what it’s like to be out on the floors. Before we managed to bring Robert onto our team, he was a high-performance coating products representative for many years. He earned his degree in Geology with the last class to graduate from Memphis State University.

When he’s not working, you’ll find him outdoors, hiking, camping, enjoying the Shelby Farms dog park with his pit bull, or enjoying live music.

 

Joshua Quinn – Estimator

Josh joined IA in 2021 with a background that includes specialized system design, construction estimation, and extensive customer service. Combining those skills, Josh now is a key member of the sales team in preparing estimations and communicating with prospective contractors and customers to help create a solution for any flooring situation, no matter how unique! Josh enjoys cultivating the kind of relationship with customers that instills trust and dependability, the same qualities that IA prides itself on.

When not scouring over specifications and construction plans, Josh enjoys wood-working, kickboxing, and continuing his life-long passion for music; a passion that he shares with his lovely wife. When they are not performing around town, Josh and his wife enjoy traveling and spending time at home with their beloved fur babies.

 

Betty Palmer – Office Manager

As Office Manager, the whole team comes to her for all kinds of different things, especially when it’s payroll time – she’s a very busy and popular person!  She’s helping, caring and thoroughly enjoys dealing with all the details. That’s good because there are a TON of details in all the different areas she handles!

Before coming to IA, Betty worked as a Bookkeeper at Crichton College and Data Guidance Group. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Memphis State University and is involved with her Church and a Fly Fishers organization.

When she can tear herself away from work for a bit, she enjoys fishing, her favorite vacation spot is the beach and favorite movie is The Lord of the Rings.  She loved roller skating as a kid and always wanted to be a teacher.

 

Dicky Burgess – Equipment Technician

Brilliant in all things mechanical, Dick has been with IA for almost 10 years, fixing the equipment to keep the crews out and working. With hundreds of pieces of equipment and machinery, Dick never has a dull moment, but his favorite part of the job is helping his co-workers to keep things running.

Prior to working at IA, Dick was an Optical Coating Lab Manager at Optovision Technologies and an Iron Foundry Quality Control Supervisor at General Castings. Dick has multiple certifications in Machine Tool Technology, High Vac Pulse Power, and Technology Beam Physics.

When he’s not working, he enjoys relaxing and either watching The Quiet Man or playing with his “herd” of dogs and cats – Change, Tucker, Molly, Mr. Louis, Shadow, Harley, and Oliver.  Dick wants to be remembered for being dependable, honest and trustworthy, and an overall no-nonsense guy.

 

Steven Buending – VP of Southeast Texas Sales

Prior to joining the IA team, Steven comes to us from Rust-Oleum Corporation where he worked in the concrete protection systems division. Steven has a vast knowledge within the industry and we are excited for his expertise on concrete flooring!

When Steven is not working, he enjoys a variety of music from jazz to classic rock! Steven also enjoys fishing, golf, boating, and camping. He says he’s also a big fan of professional hockey, baseball and football!

 

J. “Scott” Russell – Mid-West Regional VP of Sales

Scott is based and grew-up in the Quad Cities area and currently resides in Rock Island, IL with his wife, Tami, of 42 years. Beginning his career in 1981, Scott has a diverse background of over 43 years in the Polymer Coating Industry, specializing in polymer flooring and chemical containment. Scott has built an industry reputation as a problem solver due to his long track record and training starting as a paint mixer, store manager, highly successful coatings representative, district & later regional sales manager.

Scott has had advanced product and application training from numerous companies and a great deal of experience working with architects/engineers both project and plant over his long highly successful career. Finally finishing as a segment focus expert representative with Dudick Inc working with Carboline representatives for flooring and containment applications throughout a 10-state area in the Mid-West before retiring from work in June of 2023. Scott evidently wasn’t yet cut out to be a back porch, tinker around the house, kind of retiree and decided to rejoin the workforce in late October of 2023. Scott joined with long time customer, Industrial Applications, Inc., in late October covering the Mid-West region. Scott enjoys spending time with his 3 adult sons Kyle, Eric and Jacob and his three grandchildren.