The Team

Engineer / Design Build Team
Mechanical Design Engineer
Job Description

Engineering calculations and detailed design of a wide variety of projects. These include piping, platforms, and custom designed solutions for different industrial clients.

Relevant Certifications & Training
  • E.I.T. (Engineer in Training)
  • MSHA
Industry Experience & Years
  • Nearly 3 years as a Process Design Engineer at Dennis Group with a focus on food processing facilities. Projects included equipment layouts, platform and equipment support design, and pipe routing at several food processing and pet food facilities.
  • 1+ year as Mechanical Design Engineer at Solution Services with a broad range of industries served including chemical plants, lumber and paper mills, packaging, and mines.
Fun Facts

I have lived in a house that is older than America, having been built in 1695.

Mechanical Design Engineer

Jacob W. Hodges

jacobhodges@ss-mec.com

Job Description

Assist with the design and drafting of mechanical systems including piping, platforms, machined parts, and other customed designed solutions for different industrial clients

Relevant Certifications & Training

E.I.T. (Engineer in Training)

Industry Experience & Years

1+ year as a Mechanical Design Engineer at Solutions Services with a broad range of industries served including chemical plants, paper mills, automotive manufacturing plants

Fun Facts

I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have a 130 lb dog named Davy.

Design-Build Project Manager
Job Description

Maintain schedule for Engineering and other projects, cost estimating and quotes, keep customers updated on project status, project engineer, provide safety oversight for construction, process engineering drawings

Relevant Certifications & Training

B.S. Chemical Engineering, Microsoft Projects Training

Industry Experience & Years
  • Milliken | Operations Team Leader – 2 years
  • PCS Phosphate | Production Engineer – 11 years
  • INVISTA | Operation Specialist / Project Specialist / Project Manager / Asset Availability Leader – 14 years
  • Shakespeare | Project/Process Engineer – 2.5 years
Fun Facts

I enjoy hiking and backpacking in the mountains, kayaking, and watching college football.

Engineering Manager
Job Description

Provide engineering support to construction projects, project management, mechanical design services, and management of turnkey multi-discipline projects through sub-contractors

Relevant Certifications & Training

Professional Engineer

Industry Experience & Years

13 years

Fun Facts

Owner and driver of a 24 Hours of Lemons endurance car

Corporate Support Team
Office Manager / Inside Sales
Relevant Certifications & Training

Instructor of Industrial Maintenance – Technical College, Sandler Sales Training

Industry Experience & Years
  • 20+ years of Industrial Sales
  • 10+ years of Industrial Maintenance
Fun Facts
  • College football fan, especially Clemson.
  • Visited 5 continents and 5 island countries.
Founder/Owner

B. Stone Crider

stonecrider@ss-mec.com

Job Description

Integrate and lead our company teams

Industry Experience & Years

38 years

Fun Facts

Grew up sailboat racing and enjoyed it so much I decided to attend the Maritime College in NY and later worked on oil tankers that traveled between Valdez, Alaska, and California.

Controller
Job Description

Maintain, manage, and analyze financial data

Relevant Certifications & Training

B.E. from SUNY Maritime

Industry Experience & Years

25 years of "on-the-job training" at Solution Services Inc.

Fun Facts

Started out as a Naval Architect at Newport News Shipbuilding in VA before Stone and I started Solution Services in 1998.

Safety & Compliance Manager
Job Description

Assist Solution Services employees in compliance with local, state, federal, and company safety policies and procedures

Relevant Certifications & Training
  • MSHA Parts 46 & 48 certified trainer
  • EM 385 1-1
Industry Experience & Years

Over 18 years in construction, general industry, and mining environments

Fun Facts
  • US Army (Tanker)
  • River guide on New and Gauley Rivers
  • At one time, I was a school teacher in WV.
HR Coordinator
Job Description

Responsibilities include overseeing Human Resources processes including the recruitment, onboarding, and exit processes (including expressions of interest), developing and implementing organizational policies and procedures, and benefits administration.

Relevant Certifications & Training
  • BA Psych, University of South Carolina 2011
  • Master of Science in Human Resources, Western Carolina University 2013
Industry Experience & Years

10+ years in Human Resources and Federal Compliance

Fun Facts

I enjoy fishing, archery, and target shooting. Casual cyclist, kayaker, and gamer.

Accounts Payable Coordinator

Charlotte Rodriguez

charlotterodriguez@ss-mec.com

Industry Experience & Years

18 years

Fun Facts

2006 was a very lucky year for me! The year started with winning a brand-new Lexus in a local raffle, then a vacation, and ended the year winning a 50/50 cash drawing.

Chief, People Department (HR Director)
Job Description

Responsible and accountable for all human resource-related functions, including (but not limited to): employee lifecycle process (recruiting, onboarding, termination, etc.), employee relations, training & development, employee engagement, and benefits management.

Relevant Certifications & Training

College degrees in Education and Leadership & Management; US Army Inspector General School; leadership training and experience through the Army

Industry Experience & Years

I’ve been doing HR work in the construction field since February 2022.

Fun Facts

Homeschooling family, like to cook, and seemingly own a small petting zoo.

West Columbia Team
Project Manager
Job Description

Responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing projects from initiation to completion; ensuring they are completed on time, within scope and budget.

Relevant Certifications & Training

MSHA, OSHA 10

Industry Experience & Years

11 years

Fun Facts

Enjoy Nascar, Boxing, and UFC Fights

Account Manager / Sales
Job Description
  • Meet with new and existing customers to ensure an enjoyable experience has been delivered during and after projects.
  • Help with viewing projects with customers and quoting projects.
  • Help and assist with the customer interaction process.
  • Assist Project Managers with projects/customer experiences.
  • Establish customer satisfaction and long-term relationships.
Relevant Certifications & Training

MSHA, TAPPISafe

Industry Experience & Years

Construction and finance background with over 26 years of experience

Fun Facts
  • Love weightlifting and exercising.
  • Played competitive men’s softball and traveled around the US playing in high-level tournaments. Love anything outdoor and sports-related.
  • VERY fun fact: I have a 19-year-old daughter – and two sons; one is 2 years old and the other is 1 year old.
  • I think donkeys and fainting goats are hilarious and I hope to have some on my own mini farm one day.
Foreman
Job Description

Supervising an Industrial Construction Team

Industry Experience & Years

24 years of construction experience – Welding, Pipe Fitting, Heavy Equipment Operator, Picking, and Setting Equipment

Fun Facts

I lived in Spain for 11 years and can read, write, and speak Spanish.

Mechanical Supervisor

Murray J. Jackson

murrayjackson@ss-mec.com

Job Description

To see that all are safe, got what’s needed to do the job (material and resources), relay information from leaders higher than me to the workers, take parts and equipment to different places as needed, and fill out paperwork for time, safety, and HR departments.

Relevant Certifications & Training
  • Welding diploma from Central Carolina Tech
  • NCCER certified plus pipe fitter #1149803
  • OSHA training in Construction Health, Safety & Environmental
Industry Experience & Years
  • 24 years working in industrial plant
  • Field supervision & management coordination
  • QA/QC background including NDE and bend testing of piping & test coupons
  • Start up and commissioning consultation between clients & general contractors
Construction Manager
Job Description

Assist the project manager with doing material take-offs, ordering
equipment & materials needed for the projects, making sure the job is staying on track, and working with the foremen on every job to make sure they have everything they need to successfully complete the job in a safe & timely manner.

Relevant Certifications & Training

OSHA 10, OSHA 30, MSHA, also a certified welder for 14 years

Industry Experience & Years

14 years

Fun Facts

I hunt and fish more than your average outdoorsman. My favorite sports teams are South Carolina Gamecocks, Dallas Cowboys, and the Boston Redsox.

Project Manager
Job Description
  • Directly oversee field installation of construction projects
  • Manage customer expectations, budgets, and timelines
  • Manage Solution Services personnel to ensure punctuality, performance, quality of work, and safety
  • Update Solution Services internal documentation to keep track of budget, change orders, manpower changes, quality reports, etc
Relevant Certifications & Training
  • OSHA 10
  • Degree in welding
Industry Experience & Years
  • Heavy industrial pipe fitting and welding – 15 years
  • Construction supervision – 5 years
Fun Facts

Have a collection of vintage mopeds.

WECO Branch Manager
Job Description

Responsible for Sales and Operational Excellence of the West Columbia Area

Relevant Certifications & Training

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Industry Experience & Years

Solution Services - June 2018 to Present

Fun Facts

Retired Submarine Officer – US Navy

Gaffney Team
Mechanical Project Manager

Maxwell Bragg

maxbragg@ss-mec.com

Job Description

Manages diverse projects across chemical, paper and manufacturing plants, including overseeing maintenance service agreements and contracts. Prepares detailed estimates and budgets while working directly with customers to deliver tailored solutions and complete projects safely and on time.

Relevant Certifications & Training
  • Welding, pipefitting, millwright, and basic maintenance
  • Supervision training and various safety training
Industry Experience & Years

29 years total, 16 years of that in supervision

Fun Facts

Gunsmithing and precision shooting

Electrical Project Manager
Job Description
  • Manage electrical service projects
  • Provide estimates and budgets
  • Work directly with customers on projects
Relevant Certifications & Training

Started as an apprentice at a family-owned company and worked my way up.

Industry Experience & Years

Industry experience includes over 35 years in commercial and industrial electrical applications including marinas, schools, hospitals, processing and manufacturing plants.

Fun Facts
  • I have a 12 year old daughter who my whole world revolves around.
  • I enjoy being outdoors, biking & hiking, fishing & hunting, and experiencing new adventures.
  • I have served as a Fireman and First Responder.
Mechanical Supervisor

Michael Ellis

mikeellis@ss-mec.com

Job Description

Maintenance foreman @ NEG Shelby, NC Plant

Relevant Certifications & Training
  • Diploma in Industrial Systems Technology, Cum Laude, Cleveland Community College
  • OSHA Construction Safety & Health
  • United Academy Rough Terrain Forklift Variable Reach Class 7
  • United Academy Aerial Boom Lift 3b Mobile
  • United Academy Scissor Lift 3a Mobile
  • Fork Lift Safe Operation Train The Trainer Compliance
Industry Experience & Years

For the past 22+ years, I have served in various capacities including Industrial Maintenance Electrician, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, and Industrial Maintenance Supervisor / Site Foreman.

Fun Facts

As of November 8, 2023, I am the 6-time livermush eating contest winner in the Shelby, NC area.

Account Manager / Sales

James "Jim" Fortner

jimfortner@ss-mec.com

Job Description

To bridge the gap between Sales and Operations to enhance our relationship with our current and future customers to ultimately increase the bottom line

Relevant Certifications & Training

OSHA Certified, Notary, BS Business Management, Associate Degree in Industrial Electronics

Industry Experience & Years

35 years in Sales for companies specializing in Construction, Engineering, Automation, and Electrical Distribution

Fun Facts
  • Father of 3 girls, 5 grandchildren
  • I enjoy mountain biking, running, and spending time with family
  • Grandfather had 3 girls, my father had 3 boys, I had 3 girls, my daughter had 3 boys…
Site Supervisor - NEG Shelby
Job Description

Manage on-site contract maintenance operations supporting NEG maintenance and production activities

Relevant Certifications & Training
  • LEAN Six Sigma green belt certification from Villanova University
  • MRO (Maintenance Repair and Overhaul) certification from the University of Tenn
  • Universal refrigerant certification, AutoCAD, and OSHA-30
Industry Experience & Years
  • Aerospace Maintenance – 28 years
  • Director of Facilities and Campus Security – 8 years
  • Air Force instructor – 7 years
Fun Facts
  • I served nearly 28 years in the US Air Force and reached the rank that only 2% of enlisted personnel reach.
  • I have played in several world series of poker events.
  • One of nine children, I have 8 children and 8 grandchildren.
Branch Manager - Gaffney (Upstate)
Job Description

I ensure the Gaffney branch of Solution Services servers the customer first by providing exceptional quality work at a cost-effective price point.

Relevant Certifications & Training
  • Siemens Mechatronics Certification
  • ABB programming
  • Siemens STEP7
  • Degree in Mechatronic Engineering
  • South Carolina Tier 2 licensed constructor for onsite wastewater systems
Industry Experience & Years
  • 14 years managing projects primarily as a federal level contractor, military and US diplomatic facility construction, maintenance, and engineering both CONUS and OCONUS
  • 15 years experience in high-security industrial, nuclear, and diplomatic sites across the world. Nuclear safety and security
Fun Facts

I cultivate orchids from around the world.

Site Supervisor

Brandon Martineau

brandonmartineau@ss-mec.com

Job Description

Fixing and maintaining the Lexington NC NEG site and overseeing 3 other employees

Relevant Certifications & Training

I have fork lift, scissor lift, and man lift training. Currently in training for the site supervisor position.

Industry Experience & Years

I have a total of 10 years of industry experience and have been with Solution Services for two years.

Fun Facts

I am a father of five (three girls and two boys), and I shoot and build fireworks for side hobby.

Electrical Foreman
Job Description

Leads electrical team in installing, maintaining and repairing electrical systems on-site. Ensures safety, quality, and code compliance while coordinating schedules and material for efficient project completion.

Relevant Certifications & Training
  • OSHA 10 – Construction
  • OSHA 10 – General industry
  • Mechanical engineering degree – EAFIT University (Colombia 2014)
  • Project management specialization – EIA University (Colombia 2019) 
Industry Experience & Years

8 years

Fun Facts

I’m a Colombian who loves adventure, whether it’s exploring new places by motorcycle with my wife or diving into BBQ and pasta recipes. I used to be an avid cyclist, and I know a bit of German — though I’ve forgotten a lot over the years! I also had open-heart surgery for an aortic valve replacement due to a genetic condition, but that hasn’t stopped me from living life to the fullest.

Millwright Supervisor
Job Description

Oversee mechanical jobs and ensure they are done safely and in a timely manner

Industry Experience & Years

10 years of field experience installing machines, welding, fabricating, etc.

Fun Facts

I enjoy riding my adventure bikes dual sports, and camping with my family.