Brundy started his career at 17 by installing drywall, metal studs, and acoustical ceilings with his own hands. Since age 23 he has become a serial entrepreneur, starting and running successful construction businesses for over 4 decades. He later delved into EIFS and stucco products, which led him to discover that the construction industry was lacking a high-quality, lightweight solution in stone exteriors.

At this realization, Brundy invented the Piazza Stone system to fill this void in the industry. He noticed early on how much value is delivered by the product. Under Brundy’s leadership Piazza has achieved successful results in NFPA 285 testing, a Technical Evaluation Report, a Florida Product Approval, and dozens of successfully completed projects. Brundy runs the company from its Augusta, GA headquarters.

Ashlyn joined the construction industry as an administrative assistant with Mid-South Interiors & Exteriors, Inc., owned by Brundy Pursley. He quickly noticed her strong work ethic and strategic thinking which inspired her quick advancement to Operations Manager of Piazza Stone, LLC. Ashlyn was instrumental in the product development and patenting of the Piazza Attachment System. She acted as liaison to revise and complete the successful milestone of Piazza Stone’s Technical Evaluation Report. Ashlyn's demonstration of leadership has led to her advancement to COO. Her initiative and proficiency led to the rapid expansion of Piazza Stone, LLC, where she now serves the vital role of President. She continues to look to the future and is focused on positioning the company to deliver tangible value, sustainability, and resiliency to every project.

Ashlyn states, “While traditionally a male-dominated industry, I am honored to be part of the evolution to normalize women in the construction industry.”

General Wharton has served the Nation for more than three decades and has extensive experience in leadership, technology, acquisition, and logistics. He is currently a public and private sector advisor to numerous industries, universities, and governments. His focus is on technology acceleration in support of national priorities and homeland security. John also serves as Senior Advisor at The Chertoff Group and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In his last military assignment, General Wharton served as Commanding General of the United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) now Combat Capabilities Development Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. There he led 13,800 scientists, engineers, and support personnel at more than 100 global locations controlling 75% of the Army’s R&D budget. Subordinate organizations included: the Army Research Laboratory (Adelphi, MD), the five Army research, development, and engineering centers: Armament (Picatinny Arsenal, NJ); Aviation and Missile (Redstone Arsenal, AL); Communication and Electronic (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD); Soldier Support (Natick, MA); Tank and Automotive (Warren, MI) as well as the Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center (Edgewood, MD). While there, he won and led 5 of the 7 President of the United States (POTUS) National Manufacturing Innovative Institutes, a program to stimulate the nation’s economy by rapid technology development and transfer. He also ran the Science, Technology, Education Mathematics (STEM), Educational Outreach Programs (AEOP), HBCU, Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Technology Transfer (STTR) programs for the Army and had over 1,500 cooperative research and development agreements with universities and over 1,000 with industry.

Before RDECOM, he served as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Sustainment Command at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois responsible for global sustainment of Army, Joint and Coalition forces. There he oversaw logistics for the Army’s 82 bases and installations. Prior to that he was the Chief of Staff at the U.S. Army Materiel Command in Huntsville, Alabama. He also served as Commanding General, AMC-Southwest Asia/U.S. Army Central G-4/Combined Forces Land Component Command C-4 for OPERATIONS IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM.

He remains very active in national programs and smart technologies across all sectors to include infrastructure, energy, transportation, agriculture and telecommunications. Internationally, he advises and develops strategies for countries to position them and assure their economic stability and future. He is widely known in the U.S. Department of State, USAID, and the United Nations for his work in support of humanitarian assistance and sustainable development goals. He is Affiliate Faculty for the Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities at George Mason University and on the Flag Officer Advisory Council, the Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab and Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. General Wharton has a degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY and a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College at Newport, RI.

“Living the Dream”

Ranger’s military insight and vision allowed him to provide strategic direction in many areas of his life. Not only has he retired from a distinguished career as a U.S. Army Ranger where he served in Desert Storm, Desert Shield, served as the aide to the Commander of U.S. Army Special Operations Command, General Wayne Downing and became the Senior Enlisted Aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, General Hugh Shelton. Following his retirement, Ranger established The Ranger Group, LLC, a service-disabled, veteran-owned business where he saw immediate success with the completion of large hospital construction. As an advocate and supporter of our service men, women, veterans and their families, Ranger has served on the Board of Trustees for many years with the Fisher House Foundation. The Fisher House donates “comfort homes” built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times. Ranger is on a mission to educate veterans and non-commissioned officers on how to build a thriving career after the military. He credits his success to the leadership principles instilled in him from the Army allowing him to become a successful CEO and Entrepreneur.

“Piazza Stone is extremely innovative and light years ahead of it’s competitors. That is what intrigues me the most.”