SPG Team
Executive Team
Team Leader of Sales & Application Engineering
alan@specialprojectsgroup.com
With over 30 years in the industry, SPG occupies a significant amount of Alan’s waking time but he makes it a priority to pursue many personal interests that involve his family and friends. With two amazing kids, his family is the most rewarding experience of his life. Time spent making memories and embracing experiences shared together are his top priority outside of the office. Alan and his family enjoy moto-cross, cars, cooking, water sports, speed shooting, anything science fiction and volunteering his time for several roles needed in his community.
VP Finance & Operations
paige@specialprojectsgroup.com
Paige joined the SPG team in June of 2015 with over 25 years’ experience in accounting, customer service, small business operations and human resources. Her extensive experience coupled with a B.A. degree from Georgia State University lend to a broad understanding of small business operations. Her passion for customer service along with her desire for continued improvements both within SPG and extending outward to our valued customers and vendors marries well with the SPG philosophy. Paige’s greatest joy is making memories with her family. She also enjoys jigsaw puzzles, reading, watching sci-fi shows and movies as well as performances at local theaters, and dabbles in home remodeling.
Director of Sales & Marketing
john@specialprojectsgroup.com
John joined SPG in 2003 after spending 19 years with one of the leading manufacturers of architectural aluminum products. His career has spanned sales, national accounts and both product and marketing management. Numerous outside interests include lake life, golf, snow skiing, football, Atlanta Braves, Vanderbilt University, wine, movies, music, theater and most importantly, his wife, three daughters and dog.
Director of Operations & Engineering
cody@specialprojectsgroup.com
Cody began his career working for his family’s Security & Integration business and in 2012 he joined SPG. His dedication to his craft, drive to continuously learn, passion for the industry, and strong affection for the team at SPG resulted in his rapid growth in the technical department. In 2020, Cody moved into a leadership role with the company and now helps to oversee the day-to-day operations. Cody’s wife and five children are his main priority in life outside of SPG. His family is his true pride in life and his reason for being. Cody’s hobbies include going to the gym, running, basketball, home projects, lake activities, traveling, enjoying music and movies, learning Spanish, and anything muscle/sports cars related.
Sales / Estimating Team
Sales & Application Engineering
gary@specialprojectsgroup.com
With over 30 years in the architectural hardware business, Gary has been with SPG since 1999. He enjoys spending time with his family, the great outdoors, camping, fishing, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and most of all spending time with his granddaughter.
Sales & Application Engineering
adam@specialprojectsgroup.com
Adam’s career began working for a custom curtainwall company, followed by a stint at a skylight company and then with a hollow metal, wood door and hardware distributor before joining SPG in 2011. Now that everything he thought he knew does not apply the same as it does with hollow metal & wood doors, every day is a learning experience. Adam enjoys spending time with his lovely wife, weight training, snow skiing, hiking, deep sea fishing and just about any type of motor sport.
Sales & Application Engineering
jennifer@specialprojectsgroup.com
Jennifer joined SPG in the summer of 2017 and brings over 26 years of experience in the hollow metal frame, door, and hardware industry. She has worked in several aspects of the industry including detailing, project management, order entry, and estimating. She enjoys spending time with family and friends. Her interests include games, music, reading and being involved with her church family.
Sales & Application Engineering
jerry@specialprojectsgroup.com
Jerry joined SPG in the summer of 2005. He brings over 44 years of experience in custom hardware. His career includes working for three of the leading manufacturers of architectural aluminum. Outside of the office, Jerry’s interests include camping, hiking and riding motorcycle. Jerry & his wife Susan of 43 years have two daughters and three grandchildren.
Sales & Application Engineering
brandon@specialprojectsgroup.com
Brandon joined SPG as a member of our Engineering/Tech team in September 2019. At the end of 2023, he changed roles and is now a part of our Sales & Application Engineering team. His background also includes five years’ prior experience installing commercial door hardware, automatic entrance systems, and low voltage integration for one of the most respected installation groups in the greater Atlanta area. Outside of SPG, Brandon most enjoys spending time with his son and the rest of his family. He also enjoys fishing, camping, traveling and anything outdoors; along with one of his favorite pastimes, watching college football on Saturdays and rooting for his favorite team UGA. GO DAWGS!!!
Sales & Application Engineering
geno@specialprojectsgroup.com
Geno’s career began by working for a general contracting company quoting wood doors and hardware. He then migrated to work for a hollow metal, wood door and hardware distributor before landing with one of the leading manufacturers of architectural aluminum. His joining SPG in the spring of 2021 meant a move from Arkansas to Georgia. He enjoys family, lake life, college football and golf.
Sales & Application Engineering
crystal@specialprojectsgroup.com
Crystal is a true Georgia Peach, having lived in this great state her entire life. She had a long career with Lowes of 17 years before finding her way to SPG in the spring of 2021. Her strong work ethic and high focus on customer service makes her a great addition to the SPG family. She is married to a cool guy with two awesome kids, loves dining at different restaurants, making crafts, including picture slates, and making blankets for family and friends.
Estimating Coordinator
emeli@specialprojectsgroup.com
Emeli joined SPG in March 2024. With over 13 years of residential property management experience, she transitioned her extensive administrative and customer service skills into a new career path in architectural hardware as SPG’s estimating coordinator. She is a plant enthusiast who also enjoys traveling with her wife, making sweet treats, playing video games, watching crime documentaries, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Tech / Engineering Team
Mechanical Engineering & Design
quyet@specialprojectsgroup.com
Quyet joined SPG in September 2020 as a member of our Application Engineering team. Originally from Vietnam, Quyet immigrated to the US at the age of 15 and became a citizen in 1995. Prior to joining SPG, he worked for a custom built machinery company as a machine designer and design drafter for over 15 year. He moved to Georgia from Alabama in 2019 with his wife and two children. He and his family enjoy living in Georgia and in his free time he loves to spend time with his family, loves fishing, traveling, listening to music and watching sports.
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering & Design
greg@specialprojectsgroup.com
Greg joined the SPG team in fall 2021 after spending 13 years in the legal and customer service field. His love for basic engineering makes him an excellent asset to the SPG team. He grew up in a family owned construction business and is a man of many crafts. In his spare time he loves golfing, watching football and being on the lake.
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering & Design
alco@specialprojectsgroup.com
In March of 2024 Alco joined the SPG engineering and tech team after working as an engineering technician performing construction materials testing along with electronic component sales associate. Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, he completed his undergraduate studies in Mississippi at Jackson State University. He enjoys riding motorcycles, horses and traveling with his wife and two kids.
Customer Service / Operations Team
Customer Service Specialist
markb@specialprojectsgroup.com
Mark’s career covers over 30 years in the door and hardware industry. Prior to joining SPG, his time was spent in the area of hollow metal and wood door sales and detailing. After spending most of his years at SPG in an estimating and project management role, he is now part of our mid-order team where his primary responsibilities include customer service and material management. An avid sports fan, Mark’s primary interests outside of SPG are his wife of 25 years, Joan, and their two college-age sons.
Order Entry Team Leader
phillip@specialprojectsgroup.com
Phillip joined SPG in February of 2015. Prior to coming to SPG he worked for an aluminum storefront manufacturer for 7 years. Aside from work, Phillip enjoys spending time with his family, college football, hunting, fishing. Whenever possible he and his family travel back home to Virginia to visit extended family.
Order Entry Team
eddie@specialprojectsgroup.com
Eddie has been a part of the SPG family for 18 years. Starting as a part time high school student in the shipping department and working his way up to receiving coordinator, he eventually made his way to the order entry/customer service team. He has developed a great understanding and knowledge of door hardware through hands-on experience and the great people of SPG guiding him along the way. He loves spending time with his wife Shannon, four children (Jack, Lia, Ellie, & Joshua,) and friends. He also enjoys watching college/pro football, watching Braves baseball, fishing, golfing, and anything outdoors. His real passion is giving back to his community in coaching baseball, football, and softball in youth/high school sports.
Process and Software Development
jenn@specialprojectsgroup.com
Jenn joined the SPG family in 2002 as receptionist, advancing to purchasing assistant, then CSR. Her diligent work as a CSR provided the experience she needed to take on the critical role of developing integrated solutions for SPG. She works to improve data flow, resulting in more efficient communications with our customers, vendors, and SPG team members. Jenn has a true passion for excellence and unwavering optimism. Her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, driving like no one else is on the road, reading, self-improvement, shower/car singing, discovering new activities, and going on adventures.
Returns Process and Materials Coordinator
maryanne@specialprojectsgroup.com
While MaryAnne joined SPG in August 2013, she has been a part of the SPG family since her husband, Doug, started in 2001. Along with a B.A. degree from Illinois State University, she brings with her over 30 years of accounting, legal and customer service experience. Her pride and joy has been raising three wonderful sons. Outside of the office her time is filled with coaching swim team and teaching swim lessons at the local YMCA and volunteering at her local church. Her other interests include swimming, dancing, golfing, reading, and baking (especially chocolate chip cookies which are a favorite of the office!)
Materials Coordinator
doug@specialprojectsgroup.com
Joining SPG in 2001, Doug has over 20 years of expertise as a production quality control manager and material coordinator in the industry. His attention to detail and commitment to high customer service is evident in everything he does and has earned him the nickname “Doc.” Outside of the office, Doug is a National and State Wrestling Official for both college and high school. His other interests include golfing, pickle ball, fishing and boating, but his favorite time is spent with his wife, MaryAnne, and their three sons.
Customer Service Specialist
chanelle@specialprojectsgroup.com
Chanelle joined SPG in 2017. Immediately after graduating with a B.S. in Psychology, she taught art and academics for a facility that serves adults with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. Before that she worked in the customer service world through serving and bartending at several restaurants. Chanelle learned early on the importance of serving others, hard work, and determination while growing up in a family-owned floor covering business. She adores spending time with her husband, three children (two shared with their amazing mom), their two dogs, cat, and bearded dragon. She also loves catching up with extended family and close friends. Chanelle is infatuated with art, photography, anything nature, and football! She also still volunteers in the special needs community and enjoys visiting with her former students.
Accounting Team
Accounting Processes and Order Entry
peggy@specialprojectsgroup.com
Peggy join SPG in 2017 with over 20 years’ experience from the hardware, hollow metal and wood door industry. Born in Dallas, TX, she took a job in Detroit, MI which began her career where she gained experience as a customer service manager and project manager, with the last several years focused in the hospitality side of commercial hardware. Her prior positions have proven to be a great asset in our accounting and order entry departments. Peggy demonstrates her tenacity with her recent move to Georgia where she knew no one. She has a son and two cats, loves cycling and binge watching Netflix and she’s looking forward to taking her dream vacation to Savannah, GA.
Accounting Processes
shannon@specialprojectsgroup.com
Shannon joined SPG in the summer of 2020. She brings to the company the skills she learned while working in retail for over 18 years as well as the knowledge of managing her home of four children. She is the wife of 13 years to Eddie Hernandez, who is part of the Order Entry Team. She loves adventure, spending time outdoors, singing in choir at her church and making memories with her family.
Accounting Processes
karen@specialprojectsgroup.com
Karen has over 35 years of accounting, customer service and administration strengths which she brought to SPG in January of 2005. She has a wonderful husband, three sons and eight grandchildren which she enjoys spoiling. Karen also enjoys reading and has published a children’s book with two more books in the works. Her philosophy of life includes that everything happens for a reason and we should all learn from our past and hopefully grow stronger for whatever the future holds for us. She tries to learn something new every day and is a firm believer that you can do anything you set your mind to.
Warehouse Team
Traffic Manager
chad@specialprojectsgroup.com
Chad came to the SPG family in April of 2011 with a background in warehouse management. His previous experience brought him from the custom auto parts market into commercial door hardware. He and his wife recently purchased their first home which they share with their three dogs. He enjoys working out, which he does 6 out of 7 days a week, as well as spending time with his wife, family and friends along with fishing and rooting for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Shipping & Staged Order Processes
jamel@specialprojectsgroup.com
Jamel is former military with experience in Army shipping logistics. He is a self-proclaimed jack-of-all-trades and enjoys sports and the outdoors. A native New Yorker with a love for family and friends, he moved to Georgia with his family in 2006. Jamel received his B.A. in Business Management Information Systems in 2019 from Georgia Gwinnett College and loves spending time with his wife of 20 years and their two daughters.
Material QC & Staged Order Processes
terrence@specialprojectsgroup.com
Originally from Greenville, MS, Terrence has lived in Georgia since 1998. He met his beautiful wife, Candace, in junior high school and they have four beautiful children, Christian, Christopher, Kendal and Logan. All of his kids are very active in sports so he’s a very busy dad. He earned his associates degree in Business Management in 2015. Prior to joining SPG he worked at a major manufacturer of contact lenses for nearly a decade.
Material QC & Staged Order Processes
anthony@specialprojectsgroup.com
Louisiana native born and raised, Anthony comes to SPG with a combination of quality control experience and an engineering/technical background. He loves the outdoors no matter the weather. If he’s not yelling at a sports game, he’s enjoying activities with my family. His hobbies include fishing, camping, sports and board/card games with the kids. His motto, “even if you’re no good at it, it’s still a hobby.”
Warehouse Associate
trimon@specialprojectsgroup.com
It all started from a little city called St. Louis where a young kid rose to greatness against all odds to become the lovable, joy-bringing man he is today.
Warehouse Associate
erik@specialprojectsgroup.com
Born and raised in the south, Erik joined SPG in early 2024 bringing both hard work and dedication to the team. During his free time Erik enjoys working out, playing games and bike riding throughout the city.
SPG Hall of Fame
In Loving Memory
It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the passing of SPG’s former VP Tony Novotny. Tony, also affectionately known by some as Uncle Tony, passed away peacefully in his home on June 26th, 2021.
Tony was truly an amazing man and we were blessed to have him serve in our leadership for over 20 years. He had a unique sense of humor that made us think before smiling. His dedication to this company and our people was remarkable and unwavering. Though he retired in 2019, Tony left a lasting impression on us all with no two experiences being the same. He walked the walk every day throughout his years and will forever remain in our hearts and his persona reflected in this company.
May the wind beneath your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks…
Large Project Sales & Application Engineering
Bob was one of the first official hires of SPG when it opened its doors back in the late 90’s. Bob was Alan’s manager at Abernathy Associates where they both entered into the architectural hardware industry. Over the years Bob continued to play a major role in SPG’s evolution and was a mentor for all those who worked with him. He retired at the end of 2021 with over 30 years in the architectural hardware industry. His plans for retirement include traveling, and staying active with hiking and bicycling.
Warehouse & Transportation Manager
Bob’s journey with SPG began in 2004 and he was an integral part of our warehouse team. He moved from Long Island, New York to Georgia in 2003 (hence his nickname NY Bob) with his wife and two children. His plans for his retirement years include enjoying time with his wife and children as well as his precious granddaughter, and continuing to explore the never ending selection of wines.
Materials QC Coordinator
Brenda retired at the end of 2021 after having been a part of the SPG team since 2008. She worked in the hardware distributor industry for over 30 years and was the voice to our vendors, creating wonderful working relationships with them. She has known Alan since he first entered this industry back in the late 80’s and he always felt honored to have her be a part of the SPG family. Her plans for her active retirement years include enjoying her hot rods, mastering her newly acquired Cricut machine, reading, puzzles of all kinds, biking and hiking. Most important of all, spending time with her husband, family, 2 fur babies and being an active part of her 11 grandchildren’s lives. Her infectious spirit will be missed by all here at SPG.
Purchasing & Material Management
Joe retired at the end of 2021 after having been with SPG since April 2010. He had one of SPG’s longest careers in the door and hardware business with over 40 years under his belt. He was a principle for Wadsworth-White which was a regional wholesaler almost thirty years before joining SPG. He and Alan have known each other since Alan started his first job in this industry back in 1987. Joe’s plans for his retirement years include staying active with running, enjoying his family, and college football.
Estimating Coordinator
Anita joined SPG at the beginning of 2009 and continued until her retirement in 2019. Previously in construction but on the residential side, she was the executive director of design for a local firm that won Atlanta Home Builder’s Association Gold and Bronze Obie Professionalism Awards nine consecutive years. Her interest include encouraging her twin daughter’s travel and education goals and supporting her son’s United States Army career. She has been blessed her with a growing family including her amazing husband and several grandchildren. She enjoys cooking, home design, entertaining, church, volunteering, tennis, college football, beaches, and spending time with her family and friends.
Sales & Application Engineering
Mark retired December 31st, 2023. He joined SPG in the spring of 2006 and had over 40 years’ experience in architectural hardware. During his spare time, he enjoys locksmithing, gunsmithing, all types of motorcycles and especially riding, anything outside. He moved to a rural area in northwest Georgia in 2022 in preparation for retiring. Mark’s vast product knowledge and understanding of product components was a valuable contributor to SPG’s latest generation of team members. We wish Mark a long, healthy and happy retirement.