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
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.
Suzanne Meckes
Secretary
Background: I spent 21 years in the Luxury Automotive Collision industry working in Upper Management for a company with 38 locations. We specialized in Porsche, MBZ, Maserati and BMW.
Hobbies: Snow Skiing, Hiking, Traveling, Music, Family
Kristina Reynolds
Chief Financial Officer
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.
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.
Matt Heinrich
Head of Technical Service Division
Background: Worked in the detention industry for over 17 years. Started with designing detention products and have since moved on to Project Engineering and Project Managment.
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife and daughters
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
Yurithsi Nino
Project Manager
Background: Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 2011. Began my career in the construction industry as a Field Supervisor and transitioned to the detention industry in 2019. Since then, I have been involved in managing and supervising projects
Hobbies: Spending time with my Family, Soccer, Travel, and Cooking.
Gloria Flores
Project Manager
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
Mariana Nevarez
Assistant Project Manager
Background: Graduated as an Architect in 2017. Started working on architectural design and field supervisor. Have been working in the Detention Equipment Industry for the past 3 years.
Hobbies: Love spending time with my family, horseback riding and going to the beach.
Mateo Calderon
Project Engineer
Background: Mateo brings nine years of experience as an architect and in construction. He studied architecture in Ecuador and earned his master’s degree in construction management in Barcelona. His background includes project management, design, and cost estimation.
Hobbies: Snowboarding, scuba diving, cruising on my motorcycle, watching sports, camping, traveling, and sharing new food experiences with friends and family
Mike Acker
National Accounts Director
Background: Mike comes to us with over 25 years of Sales Management, business development, and customer service experience in government, telecom, and automotive industries. He brings a strong focus on building relationships with our customers along with vendors and is always happy to help and answer any questions about your projects.
Hobbies: Fly fishing, snow skiing, golfing and wine making
Michael Thornton
Regional Sales Manager
Background: Sheetmetal and welding fabricator, safe and vault manufacturing, production foreman, detention equipment sales and customer service.
Hobbies: Ocean activities, metal and wood working.
Joey Zamora
Field Operations Manager
Background: I started in the detention industry in 2012, Spent my first 10 years in the Field learning the ins and outs of products, installation, maintenance and trouble shooting. Moved into the office in 2022 to learn estimating and project management and in 2025 i took on the title of Field Operations Manager.
Hobbies: I enjoy golfing, wake surfing and spending time with my family.
Jesse Dominguez
Accounting Lead
Background: Jesse has 6 years of experience in construction accounting, beginning his career with Southern Folger Contracting while attending the University of Nevada, Reno. He has worked closely under Kristina, developing practical experience and a strong understanding of the company’s core accounting processes.
Hobbies: Camping, traveling, working on cars, watching football.
David Berry
Tax and State Compliance
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
Diane Bryant
Senior Payroll Specialist
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.
Amanda O’Connell
HR & Travel Coordinator
Background: After completing my college education in North Dakota, I began my career as a Property Manager, where I spent five years overseeing operations, tenant relations, maintenance coordination, and asset performance across multiple properties. I later returned to California to join my family’s construction company, gaining experience in project coordination, contractor management, and daily construction operations.
In the summer of 2025, I transitioned to SFC, where I currently support the team through travel coordination, onboarding, and various HR-related responsibilities.
Hobbies: In my free time I like watching movies, doing household projects, hanging out with my family, and I am still an active alumni board member to my sorority, Pi Beta Phi.
Amanda Toscas
Office Administrator
Background: My background encompasses over 10 years of retail and administration experience including managerial roles. My administrative background includes working within the mental health field providing essential support to clinical teams which helped develop a strong understanding of handling sensitive documentation, the importance of compassion, and professionalism in high-stress environments.
Hobbies: Being with my family, anything where I can use my Floral background, reading, playing pool and attending concerts.
Noemi Pulido
Payroll Administrator
Background: I’ve spent my career working in HR, payroll administration and accounting support. As well as operations and dispatch in the construction industry.
Hobbies: I’ve spent my career working in HR, payroll administration and accounting support. As well as operations and dispatch in the construction industry.
Trevor St. Clair
Certified Field Tech & Trainer
Background: Coming Soon
Ruben Camas
Certified Field Technician
Background: Union Carpenter and 30 years of detention equipment installation
Hobbies: all outdoor activities.
Daniel House
Certified Field Technician
Background: Coming Soon
Zach Dominguez
Certified Field Technician
Background: Coming Soon
John Cantrell
Certified Field Technician
Background: 18 years with Southern Steel/Southern Folger Detention equipment currently with Southern Folger Contracting
Hobbies: Family / Football/ Golfing
Daniel Smith
Certified Field Technician
Background: 19 years as an Ironworker, Detention Work since 2018
Hobbies: 3D printing, spending time with my family.
Adam Smoot
Certified Field Technician
Background: “Building by day and protecting by night”
Grew up in the City of Sacramento and now living in beautiful San Diego. My family and I moved to San Diego where I became a Union Ironworker and working security for Live music venues since 2022. Now proudly working for Southern Folger Contracting since 2024.
Hobbies: When not on the clock, you can find me hitting the gym 5+ days a week or spending time with family and friends.
Robert Crump
Certified Field Technician
Background: 14yrs as an Journeyman ironworker. OSHA outreach trainer, Ironworker apprenticeship program trainer.
Hobbies: Fishing, hiking, drawing, tattooing, reading.
Eddie Ponce
Certified Field Technician
Background: Coming Soon
Francisco Cabrera
Certified Field Technician
Background: Skilled tradesman with 10+ years of experience in both carpentry and welding, plus a diverse background in hands-on work.
Hobbies: Family first, sports always
Juan Molina
Certified Field Technician
Background: Coming Soon
Alan Castillo
Certified Field Technician
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.
Joel Figueroa
Certified Field Technician
Background: Certified General carpenter and welder
Hobbies: Watch sports and spend time with family
David Aguilar
Certified Field Technician
Background: Coming Soon
Hung To
Certified Field Technician
Background: 2nd year Ironnworker Apprentice. Work in restaurants/ Flooring 15 plus years
Hobbies: Family time with kids and wife
Mark Blanco
Certified Field Technician
Background: Union Ironworker for 28 years
Hobbies: Fishing and spending time with my grandkids
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.