Management Team

Management Team

J. Gary Veazey

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of PTS, Mr. Veazey has over 45 years of experience in managing and directing technical service companies. Mr. Veazey founded PTS in 1987 to provide process plant technical support and expertise to the Refining, Chemical, Petro-Chemical, Gas, and GTL industries. Mr. Veazey’s vision has since evolved into an industry leading worldwide service organization.

Prior to PTS, Mr. Veazey was a managing consultant for the reorganization of varied business entities. He performed audits and evaluations of specific elements in client companies and held line management positions within their organizations. The client base included diversified manufacturing companies and large business service organizations.

Mr. Veazey was previously employed as a manager with Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in their Systems Engineering Development Program, where he was responsible for developing the criteria, hiring practices and orientation program for this organization. Mr. Veazey also worked for Consolidated Freightways and served in the US Army as an Officer during the Vietnam War.

Mr. Veazey is a graduate of The University of Texas.

Management Team

Ben Veazey

Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer at PTS for over 15 years, Mr. Veazey's extensive leadership experience has been vital for the company's growth. As Senior Management, Mr. Veazey oversees daily company operations and varying departments, while executing the company's vision, ensuring client success, and optimizing team performance.

Mr. Veazey developed and implemented effective operational strategies, policies, and procedures to enhance and ensure company-wide efficiency and productivity. His robust corporate management, financial forecasting, and strategic planning methods are an asset to the company and have been instrumental to PTS' financial strength and operating efficiency.

In addition to the many responsibilities that Mr. Veazey has, he also contributes to marketing, management of client projects, business development, and human resources.

Mr. Veazey has three decades of experience in corporate leadership and operations management, and holds a BBA in Management from Texas Tech University.

Management Team

Brad Sandlin

Senior Vice President, Projects

As Senior Vice President, Projects, Mr. Sandlin develops and manages projects including precommissioning, startup, and operations, identifies personnel and resources for projects, and assists clients to successfully commission and startup their facilities.

Mr. Sandlin has over 35 years of industry experience and began his career in the field commissioning, starting up and operating refineries, petrochemical, gas processing, power generation, pharmaceutical and chemical plants.

Field assignments included Outside and Board Operations, Unit/Area Supervision, Operations Manager and Project Manager. Responsibilities included Precommissioning, Commissioning, Startup, Operations, Procedure Development, Training Program Development, and Employee Training.

Mr. Sandlin also conducts a Commissioning Workshop to identify key resources and needs for projects.

Management Team

Greg Bourgeois

Senior Vice President, Gulf Coast Area

Mr. Bourgeois has over 39 years of experience in industrial automation as it relates to construction management, operations management, and project supervision over direct-hire personnel, as well as supervision over subcontractors. Mr. Bourgeois has served as a construction consultant for international and domestic projects involving the installation, commissioning, and startup of I&E distributive control systems and power distribution projects.

Mr. Bourgeois has been responsible for managing a wide range of operational activities such as proposals, estimating, cost control, procurement, scope compliance, and project controls. In addition, he has been responsible for account receivables, payables, and payroll. Some of his responsibilities have been but not limited to QA/QC surveillance of field and shop fabrication during the rebuilding and restoration of damaged facilities such as power generation plants, petrochemical refineries, pulp and paper plants, food and beverage operations, and pharmaceutical projects.

Mr. Bourgeois has served as President of Operations, Vice President and General Manager of Operations, Manager of Construction, Instrument/Electrical Superintendent, and Project Manager of multimillion dollar projects. He is a Veteran of the United States Air Force a member of the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, and member of the International Society of Automation (ISA) for the Southeast Texas regional chapter.

Marc Interial

Marc Interial

Senior Vice President, Growth & Development

As Senior Vice President, Growth & Development at PTS, Mr. Interial is an organizational leader who utilizes his extensive experience and education to enhance company profitability and sustainability. Mr. Interial has strategic knowledge in human resources with an understanding of how to leverage human capital to achieve organizational goals and business strategy.

Mr. Interial’s career has focused exclusively on serving clients in the oil and gas Industry. His 20+ years of experience includes complex client engagement and project management. Mr. Interial has worked for some of the world’s largest international design, engineering, contracting and manpower firms. His domestic and international client and solution management experience has included projects for large offshore oil and gas platforms, Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, Marine-Well-Containment Systems (MWCS) and onshore oil and gas processing facilities domestically.

Mr. Interial holds MS degrees in Technology Project Management and Human Resource Development from the University of Houston. He also holds an array of advanced and specialized certifications including Certified Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute. Prior to his prolific oil and gas career, Mr. Interial served in the US Navy.

Management Team

Jerry McAfee

Seminar Director

Mr. McAfee is a Project Consultant and the Course Director for PTS' Process Plant Startup Seminar, which is presented by Professional Seminars International (PSI), a wholly owned subsidiary of PTS. Mr. McAfee has over 40 years of chemicals manufacturing and project experience, and worked 32 years for DuPont in a broad range of technology, business, manufacturing, and project managerial positions. His last project was recognized as a DuPont Engineering Top 10 Accomplishment as part of their Centennial celebration.

After a successful assignment as Operations Director–China, Mr. McAfee left DuPont in 2001 to become Manufacturing Manager for Conoco-Phillip’s ambitious new technology venture for carbon fibers. Responsibilities included completion and start-up of the first-generation prototype facility already under construction, as well as global expansion planning for several larger plants anticipated within the decade. Mr. McAfee retired from ConocoPhillips when that venture ended in 2004 and began directing the Process Plant Startup seminar and consulting on capital projects for PTS.

Mr. McAfee received a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisville and an MS in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University. He is a member of the Project Management Institute.


Management Team

Tom Bass

Technical Director- Beaumont

Technical Director at the PTS Beaumont Office, Mr. Bass oversees process technology development and management activities for global and international precommissioning, commissioning, and startup projects. He focuses on improving efficiencies through technology improvements, reducing costs, and improving processes.

Prior to joining PTS, Mr. Bass held a variety of global positions at Dow for over 35 years, most recently serving as Global Operations Director. Other held positions include Sr. Director of Manufacturing and Engineering, VP Manufacturing and Site Director, Sr. Technology Director, Europe ISC Manager, and more.

Mr. Bass holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor.




Management Team

Jim Rolston

Technical Director- Houston

Technical Director at the Houston office, Mr. Rolston provides engineering technical guidance and subject matter expertise while meeting technical requirements and business objectives. Mr. Rolston specializes in process simulation, safety, and troubleshooting.

He has over 25 years of experience in engineering, technical, and management positions and most recently was Technical Guardian at Novus International, where he had a tenure of over ten years. Mr. Rolston has also held positions at Pfizer, Eastman Chemical Company, and more.

Mr. Rolston has demonstrated success in manufacturing support, technical leadership, project execution and economic analysis of strategic opportunities. He has an extensive record of accomplishment in plant process improvement and delivering projects to completion across multi-disciplined teams while incorporating new technology.

Mr. Rolston holds an MBA in Finance & Strategic Management from the University of Chicago and BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

Management Team

Mike Ashby

Technical Director- Special Projects

Mr. Ashby, Technical Director of Special Projects at PTS, provides consulting for commissioning, precommissioning, startup, plant operations and support for domestic and international projects. Prior to joining PTS, Mr. Ashby was a private consultant to oil and gas startups worldwide, and held management positions at oil and gas, chemical, and engineering firms.

A seasoned industry professional, Mr. Ashby has over 45 years of experience in management positions including Chief of Surface Operations and Engineering, VP of Operations, Plant Manager, Director of Manufacturing, Complex Manager, New Technology Consultant, Commissioning and Startup Manager, and more. Mr. Ashby spent 15 years at Conoco/Vista and 25 years at Occidental Petroleum Corporation in a variety of differing management roles.

Mr. Ashby is a graduate of the University of Texas McCombs School of Executive Business Education and graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Chemical Engineering from West Virginia University.

Management Team

Charles Atkinson

Manager of Technical Support

Manager of Technical Support for PTS, Mr. Atkinson is responsible for supporting North American clients during shutdowns, turnarounds, and outages with PTS personnel.

Mr. Atkinson has over 40 years of industrial experience that includes commissioning and startup of projects, as well as management of plant maintenance activities. Mr. Atkinson is a qualified OSHA 1910.119 Process Safety Management (PSM) consultant and has worked with industrial sites to achieve Process Safety Management compliance.

Mr. Atkinson has held Supervisory and Human Resource positions with the DuPont Company. His experience also includes the research, development, and marketing of new products. Mr. Atkinson invented animal repellent LLDPE plastic and was granted United States Patent number 5,013,551. He was featured for this discovery in The Wall Street Journal, Success Magazine, and The New York Times.

Mr. Atkinson has served as the General Manager for Global Heat Exchanger Services Company of Beaumont, Texas, and as a Senior Consultant for the C. J. Baxter Group, LLC. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Orangefield, Texas Water Supply Corporation, and is on the Board of Directors and a past Chairman of the Board of the Sabine Federal Credit Union.

Management Team

Brant Butler

Safety Director

As Safety Director at PTS, Mr. Butler coordinates the development of HSE policies and procedures for employees, ensures workplace compliance with industry, state, and company HSE guidelines, and serves as a contractor liaison to provide HSE services ranging from field contract personnel to predictive analytics. Mr. Butler manages HSE staffing and budget projections and developed a bespoke safety management system for contract and and fully benefited employees. He has designed a workplace atmosphere conducive to positive reinforcement and conducts MBTI and Leadership Communication Workshops to enhance team communication and performance.

A prolific health and safety specialist, Mr. Butler is a global EH&S director and has held health and safety management roles including Vice President and Director of Operations, and similar management roles at oil and gas companies worldwide. He has 19 years of experience in successfully managing complex projects, improving staff performance, facilitating cross-cultural collaboration, and developing and implementing EH&S compliance and training programs.

Mr. Butler holds an MBA in Organizational Leadership and BS in Environmental Management from Columbia Southern University. He also holds an Occupational Health & Safety Technologist Certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, is an OSHA Certified Environmental Specialist, and a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Licensed Practitioner.

Management Team

Lisa Cox

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer of PTS, Ms. Cox oversees the accounting department, financials for the company, and leads office and executive management. Ms. Cox's responsibilities include accounting and systems analysis, financial planning, forecasting, and reporting. Ms. Cox directs general accounting functions for cost accounting and systems analysis while ensuring compliance. She also assists with policy and strategy decisions and financial opportunities.









Management Team

Judy Jeffcoat

Office/Seminar Manager- Beaumont

Office Manager of the Beaumont Office, Ms. Jeffcoat has been with PTS for over 20 years. Ms. Jeffcoat is responsible for office functions and procedures including vendor management, office systems management, new hire processing, correspondence, travel, billing, safety certifications, contractor relations, and more.

Ms. Jeffcoat serves as Client HS&E liaison, planning and conducting all on-site safety meetings. She ensures all client pre-qualifications are met, including all employee safety training, drug testing and background screening.

In addition to office management, Ms. Jeffcoat also plans and manages logistics and marketing for PTS' Process Plant Startup seminar, which is held quarterly for the public and also privately for companies. Her experience and contribution to the seminar has been instrumental in its success.

Preceding her long tenure at PTS, Ms. Jeffcoat held specialized positions in contracts, administration, and accounting at construction, engineering, and government organizations.

Management Team

Heather Robinson

Human Resource Director

Human Resources Director of PTS, Ms. Robinson handles employee onboarding and relations, human resources operations, and finances including payroll and other accounts payable initiatives. Ms. Robinson ensures accurate and detailed processes while following compliance and ensuring cost accounting requirements are met. Ms. Robinson is focused on succession planning, safety and health, training development, and employee retention. She implements human resource programs, supports management, and handles internal corporate communications. Ms. Robinson is seasoned in resolving problems and implementing change effectively and efficiently.







Management Team

Jan Gibbs

Office/Payroll Manager- Houston

Ms. Gibbs, Office/Payroll Manager of PTS, is an accounting and administration specialist with over 35 years of experience. Ms. Gibbs applies her wealth of knowledge and industry expertise to her role at PTS for accounts receivable management, including preparation, verification, collections, and auditing. In addition, she manages employee timesheets and reporting to streamline pay distribution and billing procedures. Along with her role in accounting, Ms. Gibbs also assists with office management and administration.

Prior to joining PTS over ten years ago, Ms. Gibbs was responsible for accounting functions at some of the largest oil and gas companies, and consulting, financial, and HR groups.





Management Team

In Memoriam

Process Technical Services (PTS) wouldn't be the thriving company that it is today without our former colleagues and friends, William H. Tillman, James Grizzle, and Bill Word. The expertise, commitment, and vision that these wonderful gentleman brought to our company will be forever remembered and admired. We're eternally grateful for their efforts and the opportunity to have worked with them. These incredible gentleman were a joy to work with and their contributions to PTS will never be forgotten.

William H. Tillman, James Grizzle, and Bill Word are greatly missed and will forever be in our thoughts.
Management Team

William H. Tillman

(In Memoriam 1930-2016)

Mr. Tillman developed and presented PTS' Process Plant Startup, which is presented by Professional Seminars International (PSI). Individuals from a wide range of industries worldwide have attended PSI seminars since 1975. The Process Plant Startup Seminar was developed and has been presented for 40 years.

Mr. Tillman's career included leadership roles in 17 startups. He participated in 7 startups over a 21-year period with DuPont in maintenance and operations managerial roles. His career with DuPont included a four-year loan assignment in Canada as General Project Manager and Executive Team Member for Petrosar, Ltd., Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Tillman’s project methods for coordination and startup systems are recognized as exemplary worldwide.

In 2004 Jerry McAfee and Bill Tillman collaboratively reviewed and refined the message and methodology of the PPSU seminar. Jerry McAfee became the course director after Tillman’s retirement in 2005 and has continued to enhance and update the seminar and present it worldwide.

Management Team

James Grizzle

(In Memoriam 1935-2016)

Mr. Grizzle was a Certified Safety Professional and began working with PTS in 1995. Mr. Grizzle retired from Shell Oil Company after 36 years of holding numerous managerial positions in Engineering Services, Security, Construction, Health and Safety, and Emergency Response. Mr. Grizzle served as a Sales and Outside Consultant and Safety Consultant for PTS. He held numerous safety related certifications including HAZWOPER Instructor, Incident Commander, Junior College Instructor, Certified Boiler Inspector (Illinois), and others.

Mr. Grizzle was a skilled procedure writer and was proficient with OSHA, NFPA, DOT, API and ANSI requirements. He received his BS and MBA degrees in Management from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.





Management Team

Bill Word

(In Memoriam 1937-2009)

Mr. Word was PTS' Business Development Manager and handled prospective project evaluation, sales, contract proposal development, recruiting and project management.

Mr. Word had over 40 years of experience in various industrial projects and held management roles in operations, construction, precommissioning, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting of many processes that include EPC, environmental, chemical, specialty chemical, refining, gas processing, pharmaceutical and technical service companies. Many of his assignments were in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, North, Central and South America.