Meet The Team

Our team of experts combines many years of knowledge and experience in new construction, design, build, and retrofit/renovation projects.

Donovan-Meckes

Donovan Meckes

Owner and President 

Background: Donovan has been actively engaged in the supervision and installation of detention equipment since 1990 where he began working as a corporate officer for Meckes Enterprises until 2006. Over the last quarter of a century in the detention industry, Donovan founded Detention Equipment Specialties in 2006 and acquired Universal Security Products in 2018, developing and implementing innovative high-level strategies to help the businesses grow. Donovan then acquired the construction division of SFDEC in 2020, founding Southern Folger Contracting. He has continued building on his foundation of companies and is now expanding nationwide. 

Hobbies: Boating, Mountain Biking, Golfing, Snow Skiing and Traveling. 

About Donovan Close
Suzanne-Meckes

Suzanne Meckes

Secretary

Background: 22 years in Management in the Automotive Collision Industry. Transferred to the Detention industry 7 years ago assisting with employee relations and travel.  

Hobbies: Snow Skiing, Boating, Traveling and being outdoors  

About Suzanne Close
paul-cahoy

Paul Cahoy

Vice President / Sr. Project Manager 

Background: As a Vice President and Senior Project Manager, Paul manages his assigned projects as well as overseeing Project Managers. He has gained valuable field experience early on in his career and has continued to build on that foundation managing projects. He has an active role in pre-construction & estimating, engineering, and managing personnel for our company. 

Hobbies: Enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, playing sports with his son, and camping.    

About Paul Close

Kristina Reynolds 

Controller

Background: Kristina is an Executive MBA Graduate with an Undergrad Emphasis in Entrepreneurship and Minor in Communications. 12 years of customer service experience is the solid foundation that led to her role with Donovan. She has played an active role in the company’s growth, working through multiple acquisitions and company transitions. She has an active role in the finances, as well as managing the office and personnel.   

Hobbies: Crafting, event planning, traveling, and camping.    

About Kristina Close

Derek McCoy

Senior Project Manager

Background: Worked in the detention industry for 20 years.  Started out in detention equipment manufacturing and then moved into manufacturing engineering and project management. 

Hobbies: Watching sports, working on vehicles, and playing video games 

About Derek Close

Matt Heinrich 

Senior Project Engineer

Background: Worked in the detention industry for 15 years.  Started with designing detention products and have since moved on to project engineering.

Hobbies: Spending time with my wife and daughters, playing PC games

 

About Matt Close

Yurithsi Nino 

Assistant Project Manager

Background: Started working in the construction industry as a Field Supervisor after earning an Architectural degree in 2011 eventually moving up to an Assistant PM. Has worked in the detention industry since 2019.  

Hobbies: Cooking and spending time with family.

About Yurithsi Close

Gloria Flores

Project Coordinator

Background: Attended High School and Community College in San Antonio, TX.  Have been working in the Detention Equipment Industry for the past 12 years. 

Hobbies: Bowling, Fishing and Camping  

About Gloria Close

Michael Thornton

 National Sales Manager

Background: Born and raised in San Diego. Started working at age 16 and have not stopped. Work history and company roles include Sheetmetal mechanic, Nuclear certified Mig and Tig welder, heavy plate manufacturing, Plant Manager, Office Manager, Global Sales Manager for Armor Safe Technologies, Regional Sales Manager Southern Folger Detention Equipment Company, and current Regional Sales Manager for Southern Folger Contracting Inc. 

Hobbies: Woodworking, metal working, ocean sports including fishing, hanging out and traveling with my wife of 30 years. 

About Michael Close
Rayna

Rayna Geils

Southern Regional Sales Manager

Background: I grew up in the Bay Area, showing and training horses most of my life. I transitioned to sales 11 years ago.

Hobbies: horseback riding, hiking, boating, traveling, camping, event planning, fishing

About Rayna Close

Kristine Cavin 

Office Assistant 

Background: Payroll, Litigation Assistant, Barista, Office Administration in Automotive Repair industry, Customer Service is where I excel. 

Hobbies: Spending time with my grandkids, Traveling, Sports 

About Kristine Close

Heather Egloff

Southwest Regional Sales Manager 

Background: I have 20 years’ experience in sales and property management.  

Hobbies: I enjoy hiking, trying new restaurants and spending time with my pets, friends and family.

About Heather Close

Jesse Dominguez

Office Administrator 

Background: I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in the small city of Clayton. I am currently an enrolled student at the University of Nevada, Reno studying business administration with a concentration in accounting. Southern Folger Contracting, Inc has been my place of employment for almost a year. My focuses within the company are financial analysis and job costing. 

Hobbies: I enjoy watching sports and eating out with family and friends. Football games are always a gathering time in my household as we love to watch the Raiders play. I also enjoy many outdoor activities such as snowboarding, boating, etc.! 

  

About Jesse Close

David Berry 

Tax and State Compliance Administrator 

Background:  15 years of experience in local government working as a civil servant. With nearly a decade of that experience working as an officer of the court, primarily focusing on compliance and adherence to laws at the federal, state, and local levels.

Hobbies: Art, Photography, Leather smithing, Hunting, Fishing

About David Close

Diane Bryant 

Payroll Administrator

Background: I have been in the Construction field since 1995. I have had the opportunity to work on very large projects such as: The Golden One Center, Stockton Ball Park, Tahoe Hospital etc. I have 17 years’ payroll experience working with Union Contractors. 

Hobbies: Gardening, taking care of my new animals and Husband , Traveling, Spending lots of time with Friends and Neighbors in Grass Valley and just enjoying life.

About Diane Close

Over 100+ Years of Industry Experience

Do you have a detention project you need built? Contact us today and get a FREE quote. Work with a company that you can trust with over 100 years of combined industry experience and expertise.