VECAT Instructors

John Hellyer – Luck Stone

John has served the construction industry since 1977, with the first 23 years dedicated to vertically integrated companies. These companies perform their own mining for aggregates to be used in hot mix asphalt plants and ready-mix concrete plants. During this phase of his career, John’s responsibilities in the construction division encompassed Highway Construction, Housing Developments, Site Work, Airports Construction and Military Bases. He is certified by The Asphalt Institute in Parking Lots Design, and Construction & Inspection of Hot Mix Asphalt Pavements, by NAPA for Hot Mix Asphalt Design and Construction, and by The American Construction Inspectors Association for Asphalt and Concrete Paving Inspection among others.

Daniel Francisco – Astec, Inc.

Daniel teaches How Asphalt Plants Actually Work.  Currently serving as the Director of Services for Astec, Inc., Daniel has 24 years of experience with Astec, holding a range of positions including Electrician, Controls Lab Technician, Controls Service Technician, Assistant Controls Service Manager, and Controls Service Manager.  He attended Chattanooga State Community College where he studied Information Systems and Electronics.

Mike Huner – Huner Consulting LLC

Mike is one of VECAT's Plant II instructors, helping to teach Production Mix Testing Requirements and Specifications.  Mike has his Masters in Civil Engineering from Auburn University and a Professional Engineers License for the State of Alabama.  Currently, a member of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists and President of Huner Consulting LLC, VECAT is lucky to be able to use Mike’s extensive knowledge in the production of both the Plant Level I and Level II class workbooks.

Mike Dudley – Virginia Asphalt Association

Mike brings a wealth of industry knowledge to VECAT’s Plant Level II class.  Serving as VAA's Director of Technical Services, Mike will also be teaching the Production Mix Testing Requirements and Specifications section of the class.  Prior to coming to VAA, Mike was the Technical Development Manager for Hi-Tech Asphalt Solutions, and before that, he spent 7 years with Branscome Inc. as the Asphalt Quality Control Manager and Project Manager.  Mike also has 13 years with VDOT where he started as a Construction Inspector, worked as an Asphalt Technician and rose to the Asphalt Laboratory Manager and an Asphalt Field Engineer at Virginia Transportation Research Council.

Michelle Teets - Lane Construction Corp.

Michelle teaches VECAT Plant Level I class to share her knowledge in plant and worker safety.  With over 15 years of experience overseeing safety in the construction industry, Michelle currently serves as Lane’s Corporate Safety Manager Plants & Paving Segment.  She is currently a member of the Hampton Roads Utility and Heavy Contractors Association.  In 2013, Michelle was awarded the HCCA Robert Woodard Safety Professional of the Year and has helped Lane Construction to be awarded the Safest Plant of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2015.  In her spare time, Michelle enjoys traveling and being outdoors.

Angela Beyke - Virginia Department of Transportation

Angela acted as both an instructor and an advisor for our Field and Plant schools.  An Assistant Asphalt Program Manager for VDOT (one of VECAT’s partner organizations), Angela brings a tremendous amount of knowledge to our Plant Level II school, but will specifically be addressing VDOT’s MITS/PLAID database.  Angela holds a BS in Civil Engineering from West Virginia University, and dutifully follows the WVU football team in her off-hours.

Trenton Clark – Virginia Asphalt Association

Trenton is President of the Virginia Asphalt Association.  Partnered with VAA since January 2011, he spent the previous 12 years with the Virginia Department of Transportation responsible for the technical activities of DOT.  He currently leads efforts related to specifications development and enhancement, pavement design issues, research, and technical training.  He serves on several technical committees within Virginia as well as with the Transportation Research Board, National Center for Asphalt Technology and the National Asphalt Pavement Association.

Rob Crandol – Virginia Department of Transportation

Assisting with both the Plant and Field Level I classes, Rob will serve as the VDOT representative for these programs and will also cover the topic of Project Communication. Rob is currently employed as an Assistant State Materials Engineer in VDOT’s Central Office Materials Division where he is responsible for the statewide asphalt and pavement design & evaluation programs. He has been in this role since January of 2015, but before this served in a variety of VDOT management and leadership roles across multiple disciplines such as construction, maintenance, and operations.  Rob received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and had done postgraduate coursework in several engineering disciplines.  He is also a licensed professional engineer in the state of Virginia.

Kyle Hammon – Roadtec, Inc.

Kyle comes to VECAT from Roadtec, Inc where he holds the position of Product Manager for Mills and Stabilizer-Reclaimers.   An Auburn University graduate and a member of the Asphalt Recycling and Reclaiming Association, Kyle will be sharing his knowledge on Milling for Quality with VECAT students.

Brian Horner – Etnyre

Brian has been employed by E. D. Etnyre Co, located in Oregon, IL for thirty years.  He is currently a Regional Manager, responsible for sales, dealer management and customer training of all Etnyre products.  Brian is bringing his extensive knowledge of Tack Coat Problems and Solutions to the VECAT Field Level I class.

Todd Mansell – Cat Paving

Todd joins the Field Level I class as a representative from Cat Paving covering the Paver Operations class session.  Todd holds a Bachelors of Civil Engineering from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Canada, and an MBA from Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA.  He is an active member of several industry organizations, including NAPA, AAPT, ISAP, and CTAA (Canadian Technical Asphalt Association).  In his spare time, Todd enjoys fishing, woodwork, and building scale models of WWII aircraft and 1960s – 1970s muscle cars.

Danny Poole – Superior Paving Corp.

Danny brings many years of experience to our Mix Design class.  With 31 years of industry experience behind him, Danny has spent 25 of those years with Superior Paving Corp, spending the first 15 years as a lab technician, then the last 10 in quality assurance.  His current role is Director of Quality Assurance for Superior.

Ken Arthur – Boxley

Ken is co-instructor of the Mix Design school.  Currently employed as Boxley’s Quality Control/Plant Operations Manager, Ken also splits his time as an estimator and Project Manager.  Ken holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of North Caroline-Greensboro.  He was the 2016/2017  President of the Board for Virginia Asphalt Association and sits on the Board of Trustees for Patrick Henry Family Services.  Ken is an avid outdoorsman, spending time away from work engaging in activities such as hunting, kayak fishing and camping with his wife and three children.

Mike Dudley – Virginia Asphalt Association

Mike brings a wealth of industry knowledge to VECAT’s Mix Design class.  He is currently VAA's Director of Technical Services.  Prior to coming to VAA, Mike was the Technical Development Manager for Hi-Tech Asphalt Solutions, and before that, he spent 7 years with Branscome Inc. as the Asphalt Quality Control Manager and Project Manager.  Mike also has 13 years with VDOT where he started as a Construction Inspector, worked as an Asphalt Technician and rose to the Asphalt Laboratory Manager and an Asphalt Field Engineer at Virginia Transportation Research Council.

Jhony Habbouche Ph.D., PE - Virginia Transportation Research Council

Dr. Habbouche is a research scientist at the Virginia Transportation Research Council. He is currently leading multiple research efforts related to advanced testing and characterization of engineered paving materials and innovative asphalt binder modification with high polymer contents, recycling agents, hybrid rubber, and plastic waste. He is an editor, member, and friend to many professional organizations and committees. As a professional athlete and certified trainer, Jhony does and coaches CrossFit during his free time.

David Lee - Virginia Asphalt Assocation

David Lee is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering with a primary focus on materials and structural engineering. Prior to joining VAA in 2019, David as a District Materials Engineer for VDOT for over 20 years in the Staunton and Salem Districts, responsible for materials engineering and quality assurance, pavement design and valuation, and geotechnical engineering.

Scott Quire - Bluegrass Testing Laboratory

VECAT continues to grow its exceptional group of instructors with the addition of Scott Quire, Testing Director at Bluegrass Testing Laboratory in Kentucky.  Scott will be helping to teach the Mix Design classes. Scott is currently registered as a professional engineer in both Kentucky and Alaska, PAIKY, NAPA and Flexible Pavements. He received a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky. In his spare time, Scott enjoys farming, hunting, fishing and hiking.

Chuck Ingram – Slurry Pavers, Inc.

Chuck brings a wealth of industry knowledge and slurry surfacing experience to our program.  Currently employed as a sales manager for Slurry Pavers, Chuck is a member of the International Slurry Surfacing Association, Virginia Asphalt Association, American Public Works Association, Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance and the County Engineers of MD.  When not working, Chuck enjoys golfing, playing with his grandchildren, and traveling anywhere warm with his wife and best friend, Christina.

Debbi Deep – Ingevity

Debbi is currently employed by Ingevity and will be covering Slurry Surfacing Materials and Mix Design in the Slurry Surfacing School.  Debbi comes to us holding a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of South Carolina.  She is currently serving as the chairman for ISSA’s Slurry/Micro surfacing committee.  In her free time, Debbi enjoys fishing and motorcycle riding.

Rex Eberly – Birgkamp, Inc.

The Director of Global Sales for Birgkamp, Inc., Rex holds both an AS in Construction Science and Surveying from Kansas State-Salina.  His knowledge of slurry surfacing is welcome in the classroom.  He is currently the Board Secretary for the International Slurry Surfacing Association. In his spare time, Rex enjoys gardening and hiking.

Alex Novinc – Slurry Pavers, Inc.

Alex recently took the job of Safety Manager at Slurry Pavers after working alongside former manager and VECAT instructor Ken Olsen for several years.   Alex holds a degree in Environmental Health Science from Ohio University and is a member of the National Safety Council, the American Traffic Safety Services Association, the American Society of Safety Engineers, and the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance.  In his spare time, Alex enjoys playing sports, exercising and hunting.

Mark Stahl – Wirtgen America

Mark Stahl is Wirtgen’s Product Manager for Recycling Products and joins VECAT to share his knowledge of Full Depth Reclamation equipment and construction techniques.  He has led and managed various recycling projects for over 20 years in several states.  These projects include FDR with cement, lime, emulsion, and foam; CIR projects with emulsion and foam; and CIPR with emulsion and foam.  His experience comes from both working for a contractor and supporting customers of the Wirtgen Group. Mark holds a BS in Business Administration from Millikin University and is a member of the Asphalt Recycling and Reclaiming Association (ARRA).  In his spare time, he enjoys upland hunting, fishing, shooting and spending time with his children.

Trenton Clark – Virginia Asphalt Association

Trenton is President of the Virginia Asphalt Association.  Partnered with VAA since January 2011, he spent the previous 12 years with the Virginia Department of Transportation responsible for the technical activities of the DOT.  He currently leads efforts related to specifications development and enhancement, pavement design issues, research, and technical training.  He serves on several technical committees within Virginia as well as with the Transportation Research Board, National Center for Asphalt Technology and the National Asphalt Pavement Association.  Trenton will have teaching responsibilities in all three summer classes.

Dr. Raymond “Buzz” Powell, PE – National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT)

Buzz is Assistant Director and Test Track Manager at Auburn University in Alabama. He will address the topic of Cold Asphalt Recycling Paving Equipment and Construction Techniques.  Buzz has a long-time history with Auburn University, having received a BS in Civil Engineering with a focus in Transportation and Materials, an MS in Civil Engineering with a focus in Asphalt Mix Design and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a focus in Pavement and Geomaterials from there.  He shares this knowledge with the Transportation Research Board, the International Society for Asphalt Pavements, the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists, the National Association of Inventors, and now VECAT.  What spare time he has, he enjoys physical fitness, vintage boating and spending time with his grandkids.

Brian Diefenderfer – Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC)

Brian has helped VECAT in a variety of ways during its development. Like Buzz, he is also a dedicated student to his University of choice, having received his BS, MS, and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech.  Brian is a member of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists, the Transportation Research Board Committee, AFD30 and General and Emerging Pavement Design.  He has many professional honors to his name, including Pavement Recycling and Reclaiming Center, Award for Outstanding Technical Paper, Principal Investigator, NCHRP Project 9-62, Rapid Tests and Specifications for Construction of Asphalt-Treated Cold Recycled Pavements and Virginia Tech Department of Civil Engineering, Outstanding Young Alumni Award to name a few.  In his spare time, you will find Brian “herding” his three young boys, target shooting and enjoying photography.

Mike Marshall – Wirtgen America

Mike brings a great deal of recycling knowledge and experience to the program as Wirtgen America’s Director of Recycling.  Mike helped Wirtgen to develop its recycling division and has worked in all types of pavement recycling, low volume to Interstate traffic volumes and in all types of climates.  Mark has also developed and managed recycling projects, worked with Foamed Asphalt & Emulsion, CIR, CCPR and FDR in many countries including Western Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Central & South America, Mexico, Caribbean, USA & Canada.  Mark will be covering Plant Operations in the Cold Asphalt Recycling Plant class and CIR Equipment in the Cold Asphalt Recycling Field class.

Brian Diefenderfer—VTRC

Brian has helped VECAT in a variety of ways during its development stages.  Like Buzz, he is also a dedicated student to his University of choice, having received his BS, MS, and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech.  Brian is a member of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists, the Transportation Research Board Committee, AFD30 and General and Emerging Pavement Design.  He has many professional honors to his name, including Pavement Recycling and Reclaiming Center, Award for Outstanding Technical Paper, Principal Investigator, NCHRP Project 9-62, Rapid Tests and Specifications for Construction of Asphalt-Treated Cold Recycled Pavements and Virginia Tech Department of Civil Engineering, Outstanding Young Alumni Award to name a few.  In his spare time, you will find Brian “herding” his three young boys, target shooting and enjoying photography.

Mike Marshall—Wirtgen

Mike brings a great deal of recycling knowledge and experience to the program as Wirtgen America’s Director of Recycling.  Mike helped Wirtgen to develop its recycling division and has worked in all types of pavement recycling, low volume to Interstate traffic volumes and in all types of climates.  Mark has also developed and managed recycling projects, worked with Foamed Asphalt & Emulsion, CIR, CCPR and FDR in many countries including Western Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Central & South America, Mexico, Caribbean, USA & Canada.  Mark will be covering Plant Operations in the Cold Asphalt Recycling Plant class and CIR Equipment in the Cold Asphalt Recycling Field class.

Trenton Clark—Virginia Asphalt Association

Trenton is President of the Virginia Asphalt Association.  Partnered with VAA since January 2011, he spent the previous 12 years with the Virginia Department of Transportation responsible for the technical activities of the DOT.  He currently leads efforts related to specifications development and enhancement, pavement design issues, research, and technical training.  He serves on several technical committees within Virginia as well as with the Transportation Research Board, National Center for Asphalt Technology and the National Asphalt Pavement Association.