Discover Our Leaders and Values
Building Tomorrow's Foundations Today
We specialize in turnkey development solutions, blending innovation with sustainability to create exceptional spaces.
Our Mission
At Aero Industries, we strive to deliver exceptional construction and development solutions that embody quality, sustainability, and innovation at every level. Our mission goes beyond building structures it’s about building trust, forging partnerships, and shaping environments that stand the test of time.
We believe that every project presents an opportunity to create something meaningful spaces that not only exceed client expectations but also enrich the communities they serve. Through collaboration, technical excellence, and forward-thinking design, we aim to leave a legacy of progress and purpose in the built environment.
By integrating modern technology, sustainable practices, and a relentless commitment to craftsmanship, we ensure that every Aero project reflects our core values: integrity, innovation, and impact. Our goal is simple to construct a better tomorrow, one project, one partnership, and one community at a time.
Our Approach
Our approach is rooted in collaboration, precision, and accountability at every stage of the process from the earliest concept to final completion. We believe that successful projects are the result of strong partnerships, open communication, and a shared vision between our clients, design teams, and construction professionals.
By fostering strategic relationships with industry leading subcontractors and suppliers, we ensure every project benefits from specialized expertise, innovative solutions, and a commitment to excellence. This collaborative foundation allows us to deliver efficient, cost effective, and high quality results that align with our clients’ goals.
We are unwavering in our commitment to safety, compliance, and sustainability, recognizing that responsible building practices protect not only our teams but also the communities and environments where we work. Every Aero Industries project reflects our dedication to craftsmanship, transparency, and reliability completed on time, within budget, and built to exceed expectations.
Through this integrated, partnership driven approach, we continue to advance the standards of modern construction while building lasting value for our clients and the communities we serve.
Meet Our Team
Get to know the dedicated professionals who bring our projects to life.
Alex Emile
Co-Founder/ Co Chief Executive Officer, Aero Industries
With over 12 years of experience spanning commercial and residential construction, Alex Emile’s career is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and transformative leadership. Rising from general laborer to Chief Operating Officer within a decade, Alex developed a 360-degree perspective on construction management, site development, and large-scale project execution. His expertise is reinforced by licensure through the NASCLA (National Association of State Contracting Agencies) and a proven track record structuring multiple eight-figure development deals abroad.
But Alex’s impact goes far beyond technical mastery. As a co-founder of Aero Industries, he leads from the tip of the spear driving the company’s vision with integrity, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to quality. More importantly, Alex is passionate about cultivating leadership at every level of the organization. He believes that empowering others is the key to sustained excellence.
Alex lives by his own guiding principle:
“If you raise up other leaders, you cultivate a place where everyone executes at a high level, which creates a blazing trail for others to follow.”
This philosophy shapes Aero’s culture, inspiring each team member to lead, take ownership, and set new standards for the industry. Under Alex’s leadership, Aero Industries is more than a construction company it’s a launchpad for future leaders and a benchmark for what’s possible in turnkey development.
Trey O’Bryant
Co-Founder/ Co-Chief Executive Officer, Aero Industries
With over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, Trey Obryant stands out as a visionary leader and accomplished entrepreneur. His expertise spans site work, residential and commercial development, as well as the founding, building, and successful exit of companies at scale. Trey’s career is distinguished by his invaluable experience managing multi-state and national construction operations, making him a driving force behind Aero Industries’ turnkey solutions.
Trey’s leadership is rooted in a desire to build more than just structures he is passionate about creating a lasting legacy. He approaches every project with the unique ability to see the end from the beginning, ensuring each step is purpose-driven and aligned with the client’s ultimate vision. This forward-thinking mindset, combined with his operational excellence and commitment to quality, inspires those around him and sets the standard for excellence at Aero Industries.
As a co-founder, Trey’s insight, integrity, and dedication to legacy-building continue to shape Aero’s culture and success, establishing a foundation for future generations to build upon.
Dr. Douglas Raymond Merrill
Chief Operating Officer
Based in D’Iberville, Mississippi, Dr. Douglas Raymond Merrill is a seasoned Senior Construction Manager and Director with a distinguished career spanning large-scale EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) projects across the globe. With over three decades of experience, Douglas has built a reputation for delivering complex, high-value projects ranging from LNG and coal facilities to solar and battery energy storage systems, substations, and hybrid renewable developments.
Douglas’s expertise lies in “top-to-bottom” construction management, project asset optimization, and quality management (CQM/TQM) for EPC projects with P&L responsibility on ventures ranging from $350 million to $850 million. Renowned for his ability to proactively identify and resolve schedule and QA/QC challenges, Douglas is often called upon to turn around faltering projects, restore client confidence, and optimize processes for successful, on-time delivery.
A servant leader and mentor, Douglas is committed to building strong, high-performing teams empowering construction managers, project managers, and field engineers to excel. His leadership style is characterized by hands-on guidance, open communication, and a relentless focus on safety, quality, and client satisfaction. Douglas’s double-breasted experience with both union and merit shop environments, combined with 14 years of international project work and 8 years of military service, gives him a unique perspective on managing diverse teams and navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
Douglas holds a BSc in Business Management and Accounting and an MSc in Organizational Leadership and Management from Grand Canyon University. He further advanced his expertise with a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Liberty University and executive certification in Human Resources, People Analytics, and Diversity from Wharton. He is a licensed Master Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Contractor, and is certified in SAP, Primavera P6, Unifier, Maximo, and OSHA 30, among other technical and safety programs.
Throughout his career, Douglas has held leadership roles with premier organizations such as Black & Veatch, Duke Energy, Powin Energy, PG&E, CMC Global, ABB EPC, ProEnergy Services, DEPCOM Power, Abeinsa EPC (Abengoa), First Solar, The Shaw Group, and Coast One Call. He has managed every phase of construction, from pre-construction and engineering interface to commissioning, operations, and maintenance, with direct oversight of multi-disciplinary teams and external stakeholders including major utilities and regulatory agencies.
Douglas’s commitment to excellence, risk management, and operational integrity has made him a trusted leader in the industry. His passion for mentoring the next generation of construction professionals and his ability to optimize project outcomes continue to drive value for clients and organizations alike.
Thomas Baxivanos
VP of Construction
Based in Gulfport, Mississippi, Thomas Baxivanos is a seasoned construction executive with over two decades of experience managing and delivering successful projects across the Gulf Coast and beyond. Known for his insatiable pursuit of excellence, Thomas has built a career distinguished by adaptability, efficiency, and a relentless drive for quality.
Thomas’s expertise spans the full spectrum of construction management from project inception and design through completion and closeout. He has held critical leadership roles with respected organizations across the country. His portfolio includes commercial, institutional, military, educational, and high-end residential projects, as well as senior living communities and large-scale renovations.
Throughout his career, Thomas has introduced and implemented industry-leading project management systems, rewritten contract agreements, optimized administrative processes, and driven operational improvements. As a Vice President of Development and Director of Compliance, he has overseen complex teams, managed compliance and permitting, and led training programs that elevate organizational standards. Thomas’s hands-on approach includes interviewing, hiring, and mentoring superintendents and project managers, and facilitating Owner-Architect-Contractor (OAC) meetings to ensure alignment, transparency, and project success.
A natural leader and exceptional communicator, Thomas is known for his ability to navigate challenges, adapt to change, and inspire those around him. He is deeply committed to upholding the highest standards of honor and integrity governing every decision with character and transparency. His colleagues describe him as “a diesel engine” always answering the call of duty, no matter the challenge, and never giving up.
Driven by a strong sense of commitment and a desire to be part of something larger than himself, Thomas continually invests in personal and professional growth. He believes that even the smallest details matter and that true leadership is about helping teams and organizations achieve distinction, efficiency, and lasting success.
Gerald “Garey” Gross
VP of Aero Industries/ COO of Global Fabrication
He is a seasoned operations leader with deep expertise in construction, architectural cladding, and project management. He holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science/Criminal Justice and History from Purdue University.
His career began with managing a family business before he founded and led a Low Voltage Electronics and Automated Controls company serving residential and commercial construction sectors from 2001 to 2010. In 2009, he launched and operated a successful ACM/wall cladding installation company, managing national installation crews of 20–35 employees and delivering projects for multiple manufacturers and direct clients across the United States.
Over the course of his career, he has overseen the completion of approximately 2,500 canopy projects and more than 600 large-scale architectural installations, specializing in automotive dealerships, educational facilities, and financial institutions. He is adept at managing 10–12 concurrent projects nationwide, including high-volume rollout and rebranding initiatives for major brands.
In 2023, he incorporated his installation operations into Global Awnings and transitioned to the role of Chief Operating Officer with the launch of Global Fabrication in 2024. He currently oversees administration and shop operations and coordinates installation services through a robust national and regional installer network.
Sue Hoffman
With a Bachelor of Science in Education from Eastern Illinois University (2002), she began her career as an educator with the New Lenox, Illinois School District, where she developed strong organizational and leadership abilities over two years. In 2004, following her marriage to Joe, she relocated to Crown Point, Indiana, and transitioned into business operations as the office manager for Streamline Wireless, a telecommunications retail company. In this capacity, she was responsible for overseeing daily operations and managing a range of administrative functions.
During the following years, she dedicated significant time to raising her two children, Brook and Tyler, while also providing payroll and bookkeeping services for multiple Wingstop franchise locations owned by her family. This period underscored her exceptional capacity to balance personal commitments with ongoing professional responsibilities.
In September 2023, she joined Global Awnings and Global Fabrication as a remote administrative professional. Her role has since expanded to encompass comprehensive bookkeeping and a broad spectrum of administrative duties, drawing on her extensive experience in financial management and organizational efficiency.
Let’s Build Your Future Together
Explore our range of construction solutions designed to elevate your projects.