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Donnie Brawner has over 34 years’ experience in the entertainment and auditorium design industry. He has combined extensive design experience with over 30 years in leadership and management positions. He has created a holistic design approach with a focus on environment creation and unparalleled customer service that has been the centerpiece of the Paragon 360™ business model.

With his wife Karen, Donnie started Brawner and Associates in 2000 which was re-branded to Paragon 360 in 2010. A creative visionary, Donnie manages an award-winning team of artisans and technicians who have a driving passion for exceeding their client’s expectations. His focus on building long-lasting customer relationships is evidenced by Paragon 360's extensive list of repeat clients. His leadership and experience drive the creative teams at Paragon 360™ towards greater quality and innovation. He works to continually inspire the team towards total customer satisfaction.

When it comes to church, he understands the necessary changes required of churches to reach today’s culture. He believes that the environment or experience created in a space is critical to reaching today’s generation or the un-churched secular audience. He also understands the careful politics of church business, fundraising, volunteers, multi-phased projects and the delicate balance between traditional and contemporary audiences. He has built a company that has become the design leader in multi-generational church space design.

Donnie, a successful entrepreneur, is also the founder, Co-owner and CEO of Paragon Fabrication, LLC, a Co-Owner of P360 Holdings, LLC, and owner of Brawner Holdings, LLC. In addition, he and Karen acquired Sounds Great, LLC in 2013, an AVL leader in the midwest for over 30 years. Donnie lives in Springfield, MO with his wife Karen and daughters Ashley and Lauren.

Karen Brawner has spent over 30 years on the technical side of the professional entertainment industry. Prior to launching Brawner & Associates with her husband, Donnie, she was involved in live event production work that included fortune 500 company corporate meetings and large scale theatrical productions. Karen has a B.A. in theater from Missouri Southern State University.

Today, Karen works alongside Donnie in setting and implementing company direction and structural and procedural development. Ever present, Karen is a part of every major decision the company makes from finances to staffing to facility and operational decisions. Her knowledge of the inner workings of theater, lighting and technical direction was foundational to Paragon 360’s continued success.

Karen is also a Co-Owner of Brawner Holdings, LLC.

Todd Carroll comes to Paragon 360 with over fifteen years in Financial Accounting and Operations experience, in both private and public practice. He is a seasoned and decisive leader with the ability to bridge the gap between hard finance and all other functions of a company. As a member of Paragon 360's executive team, Todd works alongside Paragon 360 CEO Donnie Brawner in managing the company’s daily operations.

Todd's experience includes the Marlin Network, Inc where he was chief financial officer and director. He was a member of the management team responsible for growing the company to approximately 160 staff members; operating six separate businesses and a holding company. During Todd’s time with the company, Marlin Network was recognized as one of Inc. Magazine’s 5,000 fastest growing private companies for six straight years, and they were also a winner of several local business achievement awards, including the Springfield Business Journal’s Dynamic Dozen and Business Class Award.

Todd is an experienced executive with a proven track record to start, scale, and optimize business operations to achieve organizational goals. He is accomplished in leadership, finance, accounting, operations, open-book management, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, corporate governance, ESOP administration, and human resources.

Todd is also a Co-Owner of P360 Holdings, LLC.

Tim Neptune serves as Paragon 360’s Chief Strategy Officer and is a member of Paragon 360's executive team. For over 25 years, Tim has been planting and pastoring churches across the United States. Over the years, he has served numerous churches and non-profit organizations by helping them to become strategically focused, culturally healthy, and financially sound.

As a certified Strategic Planning Facilitator, Tim assists Paragon 360 clients in determining the next best steps for their ministry. Many churches know “something needs to be done” but often aren’t sure where to start. For over a decade, Tim has worked with Paragon 360 CEO Donnie Brawner by helping churches gain a unified vision for the future and develop a clear path forward in order to achieve their ministry goals.

Tim is the founder of Leadership Outreach, a not-for-profit organization that exists to train pastors, multiply ministry leaders, revitalize churches and promote church planting as a means of community transformation. Leadership Outreach is currently training 200+ pastors and church leaders around the world. Tim also serves as the founder and Lead Pastor of Venture Church Naples, a non-denominational church located in the SW coast of Florida.

Tim is a Co-Owner of Paragon Fabrication, LLC.

As President of Paragon 360, Ryan’s number one goal is to take care of Paragon’s clients and staff alike. Ryan took the position of President in August of 2021 and is responsible for Paragon 360’s day to day operations. His job is to see to it that Paragon performs with flawless execution while accomplishing the mission of the company.

Ryan Cowen brings 17 years of experience in the AVL industry to Paragon 360. His previous roles provided him with a broad range of AVL expertise spanning design, engineering, and installation for entertainment and event venues of all sizes. After spending years as an Installer with Paragon 360, Ryan moved through the ranks as a client representative and as Vice President, Client Development where he spent his time with sales, client management, proposals, contract administration, and front-end project management.

Ryan has a background in aviation and holds a private pilot’s certificate. He is currently training towards his commercial pilot's certificate. He lives in Nixa, MO with his wife Jessie and daughter Avery.

Ron Robertson brings over 30 years of experience in the professional audio, video, and lighting industry. He has been with the company since 2004 and is the Vice President of Design Services. Ron oversees, directs and coordinates all of the design aspects of the company from audio, video, and lighting to scenic, staging and interior design.

Ron has an extensive design career that includes lighting and scenic design for everything from high-profile, fortune 500 corporate events and theatrical productions nationwide to hundreds of venues from churches to theaters. This extensive design experience combined with his 15-plus years on the road working across a variety of venues provides him with the tremendous advantage as the leader of Paragon 360's design division.

Ron is one of several drummers on staff at Paragon 360™, and as an avid car enthusiast, he can tell you just about anything you ever wanted to know about makes and models of vehicles.

Ron is also a Co-Owner of Paragon Fabrication, LLC.

Jared spent over five years leading Paragon’s video installation team installing high performance systems in churches, corporate facilities and entertainment venues all across the country. Prior to joining Paragon 360, Jared spent years on the media staff at First & Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield, MO, gaining valuable experience in overseeing media needs, acquisition, installation, and maintenance of audio, video and information technology systems as well as training staff and ministry volunteers.

Today, Jared is the Director of Operations for Paragon 360, Paragon Fabrication and P360 Holdings. Jared provides leadership to the organization by collaborating with the Executive Leadership team and senior management to oversee and manage all facilities, physical assets, fleet management, manage informational technology while identifying, implementing and managing software solutions.

Jared lives in Ozark MO with his wife Leanne and their children. If he’s not at the office he can typically be found at the lake.

Brian's extensive career in professional audio, video and lighting started in high school and transitioned into college. He then spent (4) years on staff at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX as the church's Lighting Director where he gained tremendous experience working with one of the more advanced church production teams in the country. Brian spent several years working in hotel management operating an in-house AV Company/AV Provider for (10) of the hotels properties in the St. Louis Metro area and provided AV support for (7) other affiliated properties.

In 2015 Brian moved back to Springfield, MO and began working for an AV Systems Integrator. His responsibilities included shop prep, procurement, quarterly service checks, project management and warehouse management. As Paragon 360's Procurement Director, Brian has now come full circle; going from end user, to rental/temporary installer, to integrator. Brian also supervises the preparation work for all projects that go out the door in addition to managing shipping and receiving. His experience and in-depth knowledge of professional AVL procurement makes him an integral part of our award winning team!

Michelle Dale has over 7 years’ experience in Human Resources and Training Development. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and will be graduating with her Doctorate in Strategic Leadership in 2025. She has worked for SMC Packaging Group as a Human resources Specialist. She also worked as the Senior Training and Development Specialist for Red Monkey Foods Inc.

Michelle is Paragon’s HR Generalist, and she handles talent acquisition, onboarding, training processes, payroll entry and much more. She acts as a key liaison within the Paragon family of companies and helps foster a strong company culture that provides a healthy work environment.

Michelle resides in Willard, MO with her husband and two children where she enjoys scrapbooking and avidly supporting the Kansas City Chiefs.

Darla has over 20 years of experience with cost accounting, multi-state sales tax and financial analysis. She also has significant experience in the construction industry, among others. Darla is the Controller for Paragon 360, Paragon Fabrication and P360 Holdings. She supports the accounting operations and provides support to the executive team in financial matters.

As an Ozarks native, Darla enjoys fishing, camping and spending time with her family.

Kim Maxey has over 15 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Mount Olive in Mount Olive, NC. She has worked for the City of New Bern, NC as the Director of the Metropolitan Planning Organization as well as other roles across a 12-year career. She also spent several years working as an Executive Assistant for St. John’s (Mercy) Hospital Administration, among other organizations. Kim has very valuable experience in coordinating, office management, development services, finance, administration, logistics management and project management.

Kim is the Executive Assistant to the CEO of Paragon, Donnie Brawner. In this role, she provides comprehensive administrative support to the Founder & CEO, including areas of communications, correspondence management, special event planning, travel arrangements, personal assistance, scheduling and a wide range of additional tasks.

An avid college basketball fan, Kim resides in Springfield, MO and enjoys gardening, water sports and spending as much time as she can with her children and grandchildren.

Glenda is the Executive Assistant to Todd Carroll, our Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining us, she worked as the assistant to the owner of a marketing and advertising company. She graduated from the University of Missouri – St. Louis with a degree in psychology but believes her perfect fit is administratively assisting.

Glenda brings with her a great work ethic and “can-do” attitude. She is a natural fit with the Paragon 360 culture. She lives in Springfield and enjoys all the city has to offer. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her 11 grandchildren.

 Sierra Thorson has over 10 years of experience in the medical industry, where she excelled in many areas including patient satisfaction. She has worked in various roles such as an Authorization/Referral Coordinator, Provider Technical Specialist, and Customer Advocate. Sierra enjoys working with the people and training new employees. In addition, she has a keen ability to rapidly understand and execute complex processes and has experience in auditing claims, tracking and posting payments, and creating spreadsheets to track large projects. She is a self-motivated individual who takes the initiative and is always willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.

Outside of work, Sierra enjoys spending time with her family. She loves the outdoors and likes to hike and camp. She and her husband also enjoy working on their 1990 GMC Suburban. When she's not working or spending time with her family, Sierra enjoys crafting.

Savannah Birdsell is a driven individual with a bright future ahead of her. As a student at Missouri State University, she is pursuing a major in accounting and a minor in economics. She is set to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in May 2024 and a master’s degree in May 2025. Savannah’s career goal is to become a Certified Public Accountant, and her passion for problem-solving and analytical thinking makes her well-suited for the profession. She gained valuable experience working for Great Southern Bank, where she primarily supported the accounting department with reconciling debt protection general ledgers.

When Savannah is not working on her studies, she enjoys exploring her creative side through painting and reading. In addition to her artistic interests, Savannah is heavily involved in the Chi Alpha Christian Student Youth Ministries at Missouri State University, which provides her with a sense of community and purpose outside of her academic pursuits.

Joe Nachtigal brings a strong IT background coupled with valuable work experience. Having graduated from OTC with an Associate's Degree of Applied Science in Information Technology & Infrastructure in 2022, Joe has honed his skills and knowledge in this field. With two years of experience in Academic IT Support, Joe has served as a User Support Analyst, specializing in system installation, workstation and laptop setup, as well as generating and organizing departmental documentation. His expertise and attention to detail have contributed to the smooth functioning of IT operations within all organizations that have been fortunate enough to have worked with him.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Joe is deeply rooted in his midwestern lifestyle and cherishes quality time spent with his family. Having recently embarked on a new and exciting chapter of his life, Joe got married in March of 2023, embracing the joys of marriage. Exploring his culinary interests, he has developed a fondness for Americanized Pan-Asian Fusion cuisine. In his leisure time, Joe indulges in working on small engines, cars, and computers. Currently, his passion project revolves around restoring and upgrading a 1991 Mazda Miata, allowing him to blend his technical skills with his love for automobiles.  

Kurt Dillow brings over ten years of digital art experience to the Paragon 360 team, where he serves as the Content Creator. Kurt began his creative journey as a classically trained artist but soon discovered his talents and passions aligned best in the areas of digital motion graphics and sequential art. After graduating with a BFA in computer animation, Kurt began his professional career working on marketing projects with highly recognized, international brands such as Starbucks, Bush’s Beans, Hellmann’s and many more. Apart from content creation, he has substantial experience in the fields of animation, illustration, graphic design and photography. Kurt’s passion for digital and analog content creation, combined with his extensive experience in a wide array of industries, allows him to view projects with a broad perspective.

In his free time, Kurt loves rock climbing with his wife and tending to his army of bonsai trees.

Pam brings over 30 years of experience to the Paragon 360 team. She studied Technical Theater at UNLV. From there she was on the road for 6 years as a sound engineer. She worked at several well-known shows on the Vegas strip, before returning to her native Missouri to be closer to her family. Before joining Paragon 360 Pam was the AV Manager for the Branson Convention Center.

In her role as Shop Manager, Pam puts her powers of organization and a high level of understanding of the technical AVL industry to good use. She keeps our install teams fully stocked on the supplies they need to get the job done on time and on budget. Pam deals with keeping a shop organized that see's anywhere from 10 - 20 deliveries a day and managing millions of dollars of equipment that come and go daily.

Natalie Robertson had over seven years experience in office administration before joining the Paragon 360 team. Natalie has consistently been involved in the construction, AV and design industry, working in both Springfield, MO, and Denver, CO. She has developed impressive interpersonal and administrative skills from accounting to event planning and travel management.

She loves to keep busy and enjoys adding a standard operation procedure to everything she does in both her personal and professional life. “An object in motion, stays in motion” is Natalie’s mantra. She is going to use her previous office management experience to help create a productive, efficient and fun environment at Paragon 360. Her responsibilities will be assisting Account Representatives (AR) with any and all related tasks associated with client management such as managing pipeline, project deadlines, managing CRM system, client communication, research and development of equipment and systems to facilitate a design for a client’s project to creation of proposals, estimates, contracts, conducting jobsite surveys, coordination of details between AR’s and project managers (PM’s), installation supervisors, procurement, shop managers, designers and company leadership.

In her personal time, Natalie likes to relax by being outdoors. She enjoys visiting the Ozark Mountains whether it be backpacking, kayaking, camping or just a peaceful walk. Natalie is an Ozark native and feels grateful to live somewhere so beautiful. Besides the outdoors, she also enjoys the culinary world. She often grows veggies in her garden and concocts delicious meals for her friends and family. She will try any dish once, or maybe twice if she isn’t sure on the first taste. Natalie also loves animals and has some fluffy friends of her own. She has a Great Pyrenees and two kitties she absolutely adores.

Rich Nelms has over 20 years of experience in audio, video, and lighting design and installation. His career started at a young age, running sound for church services. This love of music and sound soon led to audio work for local bands throughout Springfield and beyond. In his early professional years, he began designing professional audio systems for a multitude of projects, before he went into full-time ministry as a worship director, where he was responsible for leading music, planning all worship services and directing the AVL work.

Rich has worked along-side Mark Coble since joining Paragon 360 in 2005 and has been part of countless projects across many different market segments. Today, Rich spends his time designing and commissioning audio systems for Paragon's projects and designing acoustical solutions. He is also one of Paragon's account representatives.

Kent Shelton brings over 15 years of ministry and live production to Paragon 360 and serves as one of Paragon’s Account Representatives. He brings several years of unique experiences in multiple industries to our incredibly talented and versatile team.

He was also a production manager for the Springfield Cardinals over the past 10 years.

Kent also was a college pole vaulter at Mizzou and enjoyed time as a 4-H club president.

Matt joins the Paragon 360 team with over eight years of audio engineering experience in both the studio and a wide range of live events. He performs contract work for Silver Dollar City in Branson and also serves as an audio engineer at James River Church in Ozark, MO.

Matt has worked for the Assemblies of God National Music Department providing resources to music pastors across the country. He currently is the manager/audio engineer of Music Precedent, Ltd., a music publishing company in Springfield. Here he has established himself as a published writer, arranger, audio engineer and producer. Matt has his master’s in music performance at Evangel. In 2009 he began teaching at Evangel University as adjunct faculty and was the Director of Bands. Matt also helped teach technology courses for the Music Business and Technology degree.

Matt works with Paragon 360 as an Account Representative preparing AVL solutions for our local client base in the southwest Missouri area and also handles commissioning responsibilities for many of our national clients.

Matt is also the owner of Moore Piano Services. In his free time, he enjoys hunting and kayak fishing. He resides in Ozark, MO with his wife LaDonna and their two kids.

Susan Wiles brings over 25 years of business management and accounting experience to Paragon 360™ and serves as one of Paragon's Account Representatives. She has helped the company thru expansions, acquisitions and relocation's. Susan assists with Paragon 360's business operations, and front-end client relations. With a multi-faceted business background across theater management and operations, Susan understands the benefits of utilizing a turn-key design company and is able to share that experience and knowledge with the clients and staff of Paragon 360.

Jay Ballard brings over 30 years of experience to Paragon 360 from the professional audio, video, and lighting industry. His career spans many market segments from Busch Gardens to School Districts and over 23 years in media ministry with large mega-churches.

Most recently Jay was the Media Director at First Baptist Jacksonville, FL which included producing large events in multiple venues, leading full-time and volunteer AVL teams of over 45 people across 4 campuses, content production for weekly broadcasts, and design/installation of AVL systems. Prior to that Jay spent over 11 years as the Director of Technical Ministries at First Baptist Church, Plant City, FL with many of the same responsibilities. While at FBC Plant City, Jay also oversaw the AVL design and installation of a new campus project with a $1.2M AVL budget carried out by Paragon 360.

Jay has been part of the Media Metro Association for 10 years and has been an officer of that group for 2 years. He comes to Paragon as an account representative managing the front end of projects, sales, and account management.

Jay lives in Plant City, FL with his wife Jill and their two daughters.

Mark Morton has been actively engaged in the pro-audio and video industry since 1969. In 1976, he started Sounds Great/SG Integration and continued to aggressively expand the outside sales and installation efforts of that firm with much success. Mark grew the company significantly over 37 years and sold the company to Donnie and Karen Brawner in 2013. Since then, Mark has been serving Paragon 360 in a sales capacity and continues to help manage several long-term clients ensuring their AVL needs are met and the best solutions possible are implemented.

Becky Johnson has 15 years of experience in office administration, with a proven track record of being organized and efficient. Throughout her career, Becky has held various positions, including Office Manager, Administrator, Marketing Specialist, Client Service Representative, and Executive Assistant. Her experience in these roles has allowed her to develop a diverse range of skills, including handling accounts payable and receivable, managing calendars and schedules, and answering phones. Becky has also assisted in the implementation of a Saleforce project for a company-wide CRM and designed and developed a company magazine. Becky's organizational skills, as well as her attention to detail have allowed her to excel at any roll she is tasked with.

As Design Coordinator she will communicate key information to stakeholders within the company, organize this information according to company practices and methods. Assist with schedulling team tasks, deadlines and to make sure these are met. Interface with the other departments to ensure coordination and delivery of design assets are withint client expectations.

When Becky is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family on their farm. She embraces a midwestern lifestyle and loves being outdoors, whether it's floating down a river, hiking through the woods, or camping under the stars. Her favorite hobby is hunting for waterfalls with her husband on the weekends. Becky's commitment to her work is only matched by her dedication to her family and personal life.

Kelly brings over 24 years of interior design experience to Paragon 360 and holds a B.S. in interior design from Missouri State University. With a multi-faceted interior design background, she has experience in hospitality, financial, medical, retail, and residential design. She works with the Paragon design staff in the creation of a comprehensive design solution for each project, coordinating the interior finishes, and helping to bring our clients’ vision to life.

Mark brings over 30 years’ experience to the Paragon 360 design team. Mark joined the team in 2003 and leads the audio and acoustical design work. Mark is one of the most experienced designers on our team with over 500 projects under his belt for clients spanning numerous market segments: churches, stadiums, retail establishments, theatres, and performing arts venues nationwide. He is a favorite among clients and coworkers and is one of the most accomplished designers in the region. The results of his system designs have been outstanding as Mark has knack for finding the perfect solution for a very wide range of needs.

Besides leading his local Boy Scout Troop, Mark enjoys spending time hitting the trails on his mountain bike with his two sons. Mark also serves as a FOH engineer for his home church, James River Church in Ozark, MO. Mark is a sought-after audio engineer and is called upon for high profile events in the local region, for college sporting events broadcast on ESPN3 and as the broadcast audio engineer for The Mystery Hour, a 4-time Emmy Award winning nationally syndicated talk show hosted out of Springfield, MO.

Brian Roggow joined the Paragon 360™ Family with over 30 years’ experience in the AVL design world, and has held positions as Front of House Engineer with numerous Touring and recording Artists. With an extensive background in the recording arts, Brian holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications with a Music Minor from Evangel University, and has also pursued undergraduate studies at Azusa Pacific University.

Prior to his appointment at Paragon 360™, Brian held the position of Senior Design Consultant for Michael Garrison Associates in Fresno, California. During his time at MGA, Brian also served as the MGA Project Manager over all audio and video technical system installations for Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he later joined the staff as the Lead Audio Engineer. Most recently, Brian spent five years as a Systems Integrator and Engineer for James River Assembly of God Church in Springfield, Missouri, where he oversaw numerous arena events and large-scale productions. Brian also served as Audio Engineer for numerous Billy Graham crusades and Derric Johnson’s THE RE’GENERATION, a renowned vocal touring ensemble that performed for millions of people in concerts across the country

Brian has extensive experience in worship space design, operation, and project management. He has been a part of countless projects over his 30-year career, from worship space renovations and new construction to large scale live event work and production management.

Brad joins the Paragon team as a Video Designer. He has worked in the Broadcast Television world as an Engineer for the past 18 years. His knowledge of audio and working live sports, entertainment and political events will help him juggle the many different elements that Paragon360 serves.

He is excited to listen to our clients and have them achieve their "dreams" through the world of technology and bring it to life, and with his broadcast and production background of experience we know he can do just that.

In his free time Brad enjoys fly fishing and restoring old cars. He also enjoys camping with his wife and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Richard has worked in theatrical production for over two decades, with many of those years in the Branson entertainment industry. With varied experience under his belt, he’s spent years as a front of house audio engineer, a lighting director and designer, and as an installer of AVL systems on various projects from amusement parks to retail establishments, theatres, and churches.

Today, Richard works as a lighting designer for Paragon 360™. His main responsibilities include design and development of lighting systems, creation of detailed drawings and commissioning, programming and training of lighting systems for clients in the field.

Mark brings over 30 years of experience in lighting design to the Paragon family. The majority of that experience comes from his position as Lighting Director of CMI productions in Rochester NY where he designed thousands of shows and productions from corporate meetings to political events and concerts. He also spent time as a lighting designer with Lightswitch. Mark started his career in Branson, MO and was part of hundreds of productions over several years. He joins our team as a Lighting Designer & Commissioning specialist. He is also an experienced drafter and will use this rich experience to create engaging spaces for our customers.

He loves to listen to all genres of music so you never know what you may hear at his workspace from day to day. He is coming back to southwest Missouri after working in Rochester New York for the past 22 years, and the lake is where he will be in any free time. He is married to Laura Jean and they have four kids.

Dave Loftin is the most senior member of our team, with over 50 years of experience. He first joined the industry in 1968, building circus scenery for Ringling Brothers. He spent years holding multiple positions as a rigger, scenic artist and technical director for regional operas, concerts, ice shows and circuses in New York and eventually at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois. In 1990 Dave accepted a position as Production Manager for the Shoji Tabuchi Show in Branson, MO with the directive to help make it a “World Class Production”. Dave directed the installation of new scenery, costumes, lighting, audio, lasers, flying tracks, pyrotechnics, and several other special effects. The show became the hottest ticket in Branson all through the 1990s.

In 1999, Dave worked with DHP Productions in Nixa as a technical director and lead rigger on several live event entertainment projects before joining the burgeoning Paragon 360 team in 2002. Early projects with Paragon included Technical Direction for the Prestonwood Dallas Christmas Festival, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Branson, and large-scale corporate meetings for Wal-Mart, the largest corporate meetings of the time. Today, Dave leads the rigging design effort at Paragon 360 for its projects nationwide.

As a member of the USITT Health and Safety Commission in the 1980s, Dave helped to write the “Recommended Guidelines and Practices for Theatrical Rigging”. Dave also started the first Master’s Rigging Workshop in 1988 with rigging industry leaders such as Jay Glerum, Rocky Paulson, Peter Foy, and Randall “Dr. Doom” Davidson. This workshop series spread across the country and grew to inspire the creation by ESTA of the Entertainment Technician Certification Program that is in place today. As part of this program, Dave was asked to serve on the 12-member Subject Matter Expert panel from The United States and Canada to write the ETCP Entertainment Electrician Examination.

Dave resides in Nixa, Missouri with his wife Paula. They have two children and four grandchildren. In his spare time, Dave raises Beefmaster cattle and serves on committees for the Beefmaster Breeders United and is President of the Beefmaster Educational Endowment Foundation.

Derick joined the Paragon 360 team in 2010, after many years of experience working as a mechanical draftsman designing high-speed labeling machines for some of the biggest household brand names and designing electrical sub-stations, medium voltage switchgear and electrical control systems. He attended ITT Technical Institute in Sacramento, California, where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Computer Aided Drafting and Design.

Derick’s background and expertise provides us with extensive knowledge, as he is responsible for the largest majority of drawing projects that leave the doors of Paragon on a daily basis. We rely on him to help draw, design, and engineer systems for almost all of Paragon’s projects.

Ben Rosendahl joined the Paragon 360 team in 2019, where he serves as a 3D Graphic Artist/Scenic Designer, creating images and renderings used throughout the Paragon 360 process. Ben has an in-depth background in video game development, and prior to joining the Paragon 360 team he worked as a Lead Artist and Animator for multiple video design studios. He has been involved with over 30 commercially available titles for PlayStation, Steam, Xbox, Wii, and 3DS.

Ben has experience teaching Game Design, Development, and Animation at his alma matter Missouri State University, from where he holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Computer Animation. A former Interactive Media Designer, he specialized in independent PC, web, mobile, and console game and application development on such platforms as Andriod, IOS, and Steam, as well as multiple VR and AVR platforms. He enjoys creating and solving complex visualizations and using technology to create immersive images and interactive experiences.

Austin has a strong background in creating assets for virtual reality military simulations, as well as considerable experience in video game design and creation. He joined the Paragon team as a member of the 3D Graphic Arts & Scenic Design team. He assists with the creation and design of state-of-the-art renderings used throughout the Paragon 360 process. His contributions to the team help cast the vision of clients around the nation and ensure that each Paragon 360 project is supported with superb professional design imagery.

Scott Lloyd has over 20 years’ experience in AVL management services. He worked for Harding University as an AVL Manager prior to joining the Paragon Team. He has very valuable experience in client services, AVL troubleshooting, team management and after-sales technical product service.

Scott is Paragon’s Service Manager, and handles all service needs of current and new clients locally and nationwide. This includes the initial contact, assessment, troubleshooting and repairing of any discovered issues with their equipment. Scott has an excellent knowledge of the professional AVL industry and loves helping Paragon’s nationwide, diversified client base. He is certified in OSHA-10, OSHA-30 and is currently finalizing his CTS certification?

Scott enjoys spending time on the water and is very involved in his church community. He resides in Ozark, MO with his wife.

Brandon Arrington brings a wealth of construction knowledge to the team at Paragon 360, with over eighteen years’ experience in the construction industry. Prior to joining the Paragon team, he spent over 15 years working with DeWitt & Associates, the premier commercial general contractor in Southwest Missouri. Starting as part of the Carpenters Union and working his way up to Superintendent, Brandon has been a part of the largest and most notable projects in the region.

Since joining Paragon 360 as a senior project manager, Brandon helps manage the overall logistics for a multitude of Paragon’s projects that span the nation from corporate meetings, church projects, theatre construction, and amusement parks. He is the main point of contact for many projects, managing everything from schedules, transportation, crews, gear acquisition, and trade coordination.

Brandon resides on his farm in Marshfield, MO with his wife Julie and their kids.

Tyler Cowen brings over 13 years experience in the professional audio, video and lighting industry including both system installation and theatrical production. Tyler spent many years as a technician at Herschend Family Entertainment in Branson, MO responsible for installation of AVL systems and management of productions. Tyler also spent several years as an installer for AT&T cable systems working with copper and fiber transportation, termination and troubleshooting. Tyler is also proficient in network installation and maintenance.

Today, Tyler is one of Paragon’s project managers overseeing logistical details of a vast array of large-scale projects nationwide including everything from crews to travel, trucking and rental assets. Tyler spent time as one of Paragon's AVL installers in addition to working in the prep shop.

Shawn Clawson has an impressive work history that spans multiple sectors across 30 years. He served in the U.S. Military before transitioning to law enforcement and finally shifted to becoming a small business owner after his retirement from public service. As a result of his extensive experience, he has become very adept in the areas of logistics, team management, staff training and coordination as well as client relations.

Since joining Paragon 360 as a Project Manager, Shawn helps to manage the overall logistics for a multitude of Paragon’s projects that span the nation from church projects to theatre construction, and amusement parks. He is the main point of contact for many projects, managing everything from schedules, transportation, crews, gear acquisition, and trade coordination.

Outside of work, Shawn enjoys leading an active lifestyle that includes traveling to explore new and exciting destinations.

Thor Nelson has been working professionally in live event production and facility installation for over 25 years. Early in his career, he was a stage manager and installer for several cruise lines before finding himself in southwest Missouri working every technical position possible including rigging, front of house audio, lighting direction, and video production.

Thor’s professional experience is extensive, and he enjoys working in every facet of the business. Thor spent his first few years at Paragon 360 as is an installer and today manages the prep shop ensuring the quality preparation of all projects leaving the shop. Thor is equally qualified in the installation of professional audio, video, and lighting systems, and has many years’ experience as a theatrical rigger.

Rick Koralewski has an impressive, extensive background in electrical, media systems, electronic components, and mechanical systems. He joins the Paragon 360 team as a Sr. Installation Supervisor with over 25 years of experience.

Rick has spent much of his career working in the live sports and events industry with Diversified managing multiple large- scale, complex communication systems for live sports/entertainment venues including radio and television broadcast, live sound, video production, electronic security systems and AV. His role was to ensure that project installation aligned with design drawings and specifications while overseeing and managing installation budgets, timelines, large crews, extensive project equipment and supply inventory. Rick has managed the installation of projects ranging from $3M - $6M with crews of over 50 made up of in-house, contract and freelance labor.

Some of Rick's accomplishments include the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Acrisure Arena Hockey Arena in California, University of Texas Moody Center, Sofi Stadium, Texas Rangers Baseball Stadium, Honda Center, Los Angelas Baseball Stadium and Sanford University Football Stadium. Rick is also a Master Electrician with low voltage systems design, PLC programming, fire and life safety. He is OHSA30 certified and has worked with Emergency Response Teams such as Disaster Relief and the Red Cross.

As a Senior Installation Supervisor for Paragon 360, Rick is responsible for the proper and efficient installation of audio, video, lighting, and rigging technologies in addition to acoustical materials, and custom scenic, staging and architectural elements for wide variety of installation projects across many market segments. He will be responsible for managing people, resources, budgets, and timelines. He will also lead the training efforts of all of Paragon’s installation leads.

Rick and his wife have moved to Southwest Missouri after several years ago visiting and buying land in the area for their dream home to retire on. In spare time Rick enjoys taking walks and exploring new towns in the area, along with looking at artwork with his wife.

Gary Todd originally joined the Paragon 360 team as a freelance construction partner. He was soon added to the full-time staff as the FabriTRAK Lead/Installer, specializing in the acoustical elements of Paragon 360 installations across the country. Gary's extensive background in construction management gives him over two decades of knowledge and aptitude for the handling of a large assortment of specialty FabriTRAK products and projects.

As a previous construction business owner and manager, Gary's professional experience prior to joining the Paragon 360 team includes positions as a commercial framing supervisor, construction superintendent, and production manager. He has held positions with Mid-Missouri Commercial Framing and Trotter Construction, LLC, and he also has extensive experience in the carpentry field.

Ronnie brings over 10 years of experience in construction to the Paragon family. Ronnie spent much of his career as a union, journeyman carpenter working with DeWitt construction and PCI drywall in Springfield, MO. His extensive background in construction is an asset to Paragon’s installation team. He spends most of his time at Paragon traveling the country installing Fabri-TRAK acoustical systems. He is also a big part of the scenic and staging installation team as well.

Ronnie lives in Clever, MO, and enjoys hunting and fishing when he’s not on the road for Paragon.

With a decade of experience in church AVL, Jonathan is able to serve in all areas of our Installation Team. He has substantial experience working as a Front of House Audio Engineer for church youth events, summer camps, and special concerts & programs, and has worked in that capacity at churches throughout Southern Missouri. He has also been called on by many churches in the local area for extensive lighting design and programming. Jonathan is a very bright individual and with his enthusiastic attitude, wide skill range, and hard work ethic, he provides great contributions to our team and our clients.

With over twelve years of AVL experience, Logan serves in all aspects of the installation division at Paragon 360. His love for music and studio recording sparked his interest in audio, video, and lighting. He has volunteer experience in audio and lighting, and as a technical director for several churches including North Point in Nixa, MO, and James River Assembly. At James River, he was part of regular church services at multiple campuses and large-scale special events. Logan also has experience working in IT, carpentry, and masonry.

Logan is excited to help churches create dynamic environments that allow them to connect with people. He is very involved in his own church and understands the importance of quality AVL. His favorite part of working with Paragon 360 is helping clients understand how their new equipment can help them.

In Logan's free time, he enjoys outdoor activities like off-roading, hiking, hunting, and overlanding. He loves an adventure! Logan and his wife Leah live in Nixa, MO.

Alfredo, also known as "Freddy", joins Paragon 360 as an AVL Installer. His lifelong interest in music ignited his passion for live audio installation and production. He comes to Paragon’s AVL team with over 14 years of experience in live production. His background in audio ranges dramatically, having done FOH for plays, jazz concerts, weddings, worship services, post production music recordings, and many more. He previously worked as an audio engineer for James River Church for a number of years, partially serving as their North Campus production lead. His interest has pushed him to dive deeper into all things production as he continues to develop his skills involving audio, video, lighting, and networking.

Freddy was born and raised in the state of Washington where the majority of his family still lives, while the rest reside in California. When the season permits it, he likes traveling with his family to Mexico where they have a vacation home that they continue to renovate. While living in Springfield, Freddy enjoys spending his free time fishing with friends at Stockton lake or playing a good round of disc golf. Although he usually only rides when vacationing in Mexico, he also greatly enjoys riding ATVs on trails and mudding with his friends.

Paul Eley, better known as “PJ” is one of Paragons 360’s many skilled AVL installers. He has extensive knowledge in music and studio production, which he acquired during his studies at Evangel University where he graduated with a degree in Business Management in 2022. PJ honed his skills and developed a passion for the industry through a four-year internship at James River Church, which motivated him to join the Paragon team to expand his skillset and participate in large complex projects.

Having been raised in a Navy family, PJ has lived in seven different states, including Hawaii, California, Maryland, Florida, Virginia, New Mexico, and Missouri. He relocated to Missouri with his best friend in search of a strong Christian community to set roots and build a career.

PJ has a passion for music and plays the electric guitar, often performing in his free time at James River Church. He has two older sisters and one younger brother, while his parents currently reside in Virginia.

Dylan Arrington has over 2 years of experience in preparing equipment and assisting with onsite installation of projects. He also participated in Paragon 360’s paid internship program where he gained valuable applied experience in the professional AVL field.

Dylan is one of Paragon’s AVL Installers. He handles prep work, site installation as well as setup and commissioning of large format, professional AVL systems in high profile entertainment facilities, houses of worship and corporate environments for Paragon’s nationwide, diversified client base. Dylan is currently finishing his CTS certification requirements.

Outside of work, Dylan is pursuing a degree in accounting and enjoys a variety of hobbies. He likes collecting antiques and good cup of coffee. Dylan resides in Marshfield, MO with his family.

Isaiah Woods has over 4 years of experience in the AVL industry. He has worked for Byassee Music and Sound as an Installation Tech and was an Audio Tech for Evangel University. He also participated in Paragon 360’s paid internship program where he gained valuable applied experience in the professional AVL field.

Isaiah is one of Paragon’s AVL Installers. He handles prep work, site installation as well as setup and commissioning of large format, professional AVL systems in high profile entertainment facilities, houses of worship and corporate environments for Paragon’s nationwide, diversified client base. Isaiah is certified QSYS and is currently finishing his CTS certification requirements.

Isaiah enjoys playing music and all things coffee. He resides in Rogersville, MO with his wife.

Rick Wiles joined the Paragon 360® team in 2012. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Missouri State University and has successfully owned and operated several businesses in Southwest Missouri. Rick’s 30+ years of experience has equipped him with a well-rounded set of skills in all aspects of the business arena. With his unparalleled attention to detail on the job site, Rick is one of Paragon 360’s leading FabriTRAK® installers. His outstanding carpentry skills have been essential to the setup, installation and construction of Paragon 360’s custom scenic and staging elements for projects all across the country. His calm, confident demeanor and superb abilities are hallmarks of his contributions to the Paragon 360® team.

Tony Berrier has been working as a member of the Paragon 360® Installation Team for 20 years. He has extensive experience in the setup and installation of lighting, video and rigging systems, and his carpentry skills have allowed him to be a leader in the setup, installation and construction of Paragon 360’s custom scenic and staging elements. Prior to joining Paragon, Tony gained 15 years of experience in the remote sports broadcast industry and has traveled around the country setting up and running production of remote broadcast sports for numerous networks, including ESPN, NBC, the Golf Channel, and CBS Sports. His strong work ethic, combined with his ability to adapt to any situation on the job site, has made Tony a valued asset to Paragon 360’s Installation Team.

Clayton brings over 15 years of AVL rigging and installation experience to Paragon 360. Clayton spends most of his time installing lighting systems and scenic elements in addition to leading much of our rigging system installation.

In 2014, Clayton joined the ranks of the upper 1/3 of riggers working in the entertainment industry when he passed the ETCP Theatre Rigging Test, making him an internationally recognized ETCP Certified Rigger. In the Spring of 2016, he acquired his ETCP Arena Rigging Certification. Those who pass these tests are recognized by industry professionals as the best riggers in the industry.

Darren is a seasoned veteran and brings 30 years of audio, video, lighting and rigging installation experience to the Paragon 360 team. Darren first hooked up with Brawner & Associates/Paragon 360™ through Donnie Brawner in 1997 on Wal-Mart corporate meeting projects. Darren was officially added to the Paragon crew in 2001. He has been part of over 175 projects with Paragon from theatrical installations, to live event production work, rigging work, church installations and project management.

In 2012, Darren joined the ranks of the upper 1/3 of riggers working in the entertainment industry when he passed the ETCP Theatre Rigging Test, making him an internationally recognized ETCP Certified Rigger. Those who pass these tests are recognized by industry professionals as the best riggers in the industry.

Jay Lewis began brings 30 years of experience to the Paragon 360 team. He has been a member of IATSE Local 31 in Kansas City, MO in 1988. Jay started his professional rigging career in 1996 and has since rigged over 1,000 events in the greater Kansas City area. Jay first hooked up with Brawner & Associates/Paragon 360™ through Donnie Brawner in 1997 on Wal-Mart corporate meeting projects. Jay was officially added to the Paragon crew in 2001 and has been part of many projects with Paragon from theatrical installations to live event production work, rigging work, church installations and project management.

In 2012, Jay joined the ranks of the upper 1/3 of riggers working in the entertainment industry when he passed the ETCP Theatre Rigging Test, making him an internationally recognized ETCP Certified Rigger. Those who pass these tests are recognized by industry professionals as the best riggers in the industry.

Lauren has joined Paragon 360 as part of its internship program. Members of our paid internship program have the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in the professional AVL field as they consider their career. Through our hands‐on, year‐round internship program, students have a unique opportunity to work alongside an award‐winning team of professionals. This work can include shop prep, entry level installation, fabrication shop work and other opportunities in a part-time or full-time capacity. Some of our interns get the opportunity to work in the field on active jobsites. Paragon 360 is committed to building tomorrow’s AVL leaders.

Lauren Brawner, a high school senior at Kickapoo High School, brings a drive for success to her internship. During her internship at Paragon 360, Lauren aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the AVL industry and loves helping Paragon. Lauren is a seven year veteran catcher for Springfield Metro Baseball and plans on attending Southwest Baptist University after graduation.

As Production Manager for Paragon 360, Chris oversees the design, coordination, and fabrication of Paragon’s custom scenic, staging, and architectural elements. He enjoys the challenge of figuring out how to create something that has not been made before and have it fit a specific function and aesthetic for a client.

His skill sets include over 25 years in corporate architecture and custom fabrication. His experience Includes projects across the country for numerous notable clients, including Bass Pro Shops, Disney, Herschend Family Entertainment, Big Cedar Lodge, Cedar Fair Entertainment, Wonders of Wildlife and the Florida Aquarium.

He works closely with the Design, Fabrication, and Installation teams, ensuring that our custom scenic and staging elements continually surpass our clients’ expectations.

Chris is a Co-Owner of Paragon Fabrication.

Josh brings over 19 years’ experience in exhibit fabrication and themed element design to Paragon 360. Josh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Arizona State University with an emphasis in woodworking and sculpture. His career has kept him involved in nearly every aspect of building themed environments from design, purchasing, project management and fabrication to fostering customer relations and project estimation.

Notable clients include Herschend Family Entertainment, Disney, Coca-Cola, and Bass Pro properties including Wonders of Wildlife, Cabela’s, Big Cedar Lodge, Top of the Rock, Buffalo Ridge, and the Pyramid. Josh is an experienced carver and sculptor, working in wood, foam, metal, and resins. He has completed hundreds of wildlife wood carvings and many original models used for molding and casting replications in resins, concrete, and pewter. As Paragon 360’s fabrication manager, Josh manages the daily fabrication crew and the various projects moving through the shop.

Donald Rabon, Fabricator for the Paragon team, is passionate about client-focused design. He is responsible for the assembly of completed products, ensuring they all align properly before shipping. Donald brings a substantial amount of construction experience to his position, with skills in metal fabrication (skyscrapers and aerospace), residential areas, canopy work and decorative guttering. He loves taking raw materials and transforming them into a product that satisfies and exceeds a client’s desires.

Donald’s three children—all under the age of five—keep him young. In his free time, he enjoys bow hunting whitetail deer and being an active member of his church community.

Bonnie has a diverse work background in client services, business management and scheduling. With her exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills, she will help in building strong relationships with clients and staff, while ensuring that the office runs smoothly at Paragon Fabrication.

Growing up in the winery business, Bonnie has spent her entire life working for her family’s winery and still helps out when the need arises. During her time in the family business, she wore lots of hats and developed a lot of skill around running a thriving small business. She also cultivated her customer orientated skills working in the medical and hospitality industries before starting her own small business. Combined, Bonnie has over a decade of experience in making businesses run efficiently.

Bonnie is a proud mother of two and enjoys spending time with her family. Outside of work, Bonnie is a big fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and loves spending time at the lake, paddleboarding, cooking, gardening, and taking photographs. Bonnie is excited to be a part of the Paragon Fabrication team and bring her skills and experience to the office.

Dan brings over 24 years of experience in architectural design, 3D modeling, animation and illustration to Paragon Fabrication as our Project Coordinator. He has worked in several industries including architecture, law, medical, entertainment, education and advertising.

Notable clients include Bass Pro Shops, Silver Dollar City, Siemens and Wonders of Wildlife. He will bring his design and 3D talents to our fabrication department to help them pre-visualize design options and fabrication methods. He is excited about exploring technologies such as augmented reality (AR) which gives us new ways to examine and iterate through the design process.

In Dan’s free time he loves spending time with his wife and daughters on their 40 acres and tending to his beehives.

Mark brings 28 years of design, drafting and fabrication experience to the Paragon team. He has worked with notable clients, including various Bass Pro Shop properties, JQH Arena & Jack Henry & Associates. Prior to pursuing a career as a CAD Drafter & Designer, he spent 14 years owning and operating his own custom millwork shop.

When not working, Mark is either spending time with family, or designing/building/fixing something mechanical.

From a very early age he had an interest in aerospace design and joined his friends as a member of their Robotics Club at Rolla S&T to compete in the First Robotics Competition. This where he discovered CAD design. Erik developed a real passion for the process of taking a basic 2D drawing, building it out in CAD and then seeing it machined into a functional product in the real world. Working in a competitive group environment taught him the value of working hard and supporting his team to see a shared goal accomplished.

Erik has also spent time working in the microbiology field at FSNS in Springdale, AR as a Pathogen Lab Analyst, before moving back to Missouri to join the Paragon Fabrication team. His analytical and design skills are a valuable asset to the company. He is excited to contribute to the development of innovative and high-quality products that exceed the needs of our clients.

Erik's passion for technology extends beyond his work and into his hobbies. He finds enjoyment in building custom PCs, collecting computer peripherals, gaming, and weight training. When Erik is not tinkering with technology, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and their cat.

Audrey Frye has over 3 years’ experience in custom CAD Drafting. She graduated from Pittsburgh Technical College with an Associate’s degree in Mechanical Drafting. She has worked for FBN Metal Products as a Mechanical Designer. She also interned as a CAD Designer for SRC.

Audrey is one of Paragon Fabrication’s CAD Drafters and she handles drawing interior, modular, architectural infill treatments for commercial applications. She is responsible for creating shop drawings to communicate information needed to produce elements from structural aluminum, wood and other materials for entertainment facilities, houses of worship and corporate venues, nationwide.

Audrey resides in Springfield, MO where she enjoys hiking and painting with acrylics.

Larry Kenney has 10 years’ experience with Paragon 360’s custom fabricated products. He has over 30 years’ experience in welding fabrication and has worked on projects with Herschend Family Entertainment, Disney and Bass Pro Shops to name a few. Larry spends his day building, creating and fabricating a wide range of Paragon 360’s products from custom scenic and staging elements to drum enclosures and more. When Larry gets a little free time, he enjoys metal sculpting and blacksmithing.

Tyler Tyson is a valuable asset to Paragon Fabrication as a welder and custom fabricator. He received his welding certification and is looking forward to contributing to the custom scenic and staging elements on all of the upcoming Paragon 360 projects. In his free time he enjoys fishing, spending time in the outdoors and expanding his understand of the science and technology of metals, their production and purification.

Ron Shulz leads the Wood Fabrication Department at Paragon 360. Prior to joining the Paragon 360 Team, Ron spent several years working in the wood industry, achieving the title of Master Craftsman in Woodworking from the City & Guilds of London. While in England he worked in everything from fine furniture restoration to the manufacturing of various wood products.

During his career in the U.S., he has completed many projects for numerous clients including Silver Dollar City, White Water, Dollywood, Bass Pro Shops and Properties, Disney, and many others. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Ron spent 14 years serving as a Ground Radio Electronics Technician Supervisor at duty stations in Greece, Turkey, England, and across the United States.

Mark Wood brings valuable knowledge and experience to the Paragon Fabrication team, having spent the past twenty seven years in the fabrication industry. He has a variety of expertise, including metal and wood finishing, machine assembly and inspection, and cabinetry work. Mark first got into woodworking when he got a job with his brother at a cabinet shop. From there, Mark went on to make specialized signs and props, and later worked for ACGI making custom specialty wood ceilings. Mark hand makes guitars in his free time, emphasizing his skill and attention to detail.

Randall Amos brings his unique experience in the legal and insurance industries to his role as a Fabricator. Though he has corporate experience, his passion for building and creating things that last led him to us. In his role, Randall combines his artistic abilities and his passion to help increase client satisfaction in the products designed by Paragon.

Randall enjoys spending his free time doing outdoor activities like fishing and hiking. He is also an excellent guitar player and a talented wood worker.

Austin joins our team at Paragon Fabrication as a Fabricator, bringing with him six years of carpentry experience. He is very excited about contributing everything he has learned along his professional journey to our team and getting a fresh look at new projects. In his spare time, he is a home audio enthusiast.

Alex brings 12 years of experience to the Paragon Family. He started his career working for a champion taxidermy studio. During his 9 year stay there he learned to sculpt, make molds, and eventually became the lead airbrush artist. He then moved to a custom fabrication shop where, as an airbrush artist, he specialized in faux finishes and unique paint jobs for museums, aquariums, theme park projects, and themed retail spaces.

Notable clients include Disney, Herschend Family Entertainment, Frontpage Attractions, Bass Pro Shops, and Missouri State University.

Danny Thorson brings over a decade of professional experience to his role as welder at Paragon Fabrication. Growing up, Danny learned the ins and outs of welding from his mother, who is a certified welding instructor, inspector, and educator with a background in pipelines. Welding has been a part of Danny's life since the age of 12, and he received his professional certification at the age of 18.

Danny's experience includes working for large infrastructure companies such as RailCo in Southern IL, as well as owning his own business. He is excited to be a part of the Paragon Fabrication team and contribute to bringing the clients' visions to life.

When not at work, Danny enjoys spending time with his family and pursuing his hobbies. He is married with one child and has two dogs, Ziggy and Gunner. Danny enjoys working on engines and restoring cars. His pride and joy is a 1990 GMC Suburban, and he takes great pride in his woodworking as well, having built a custom door for his house measuring 8 feet by 40 inches.

Bryan Keeland has worked in art and fabrication for over 30 years. His grandfather was a carpenter and taught him to love building and creating.
He has also worked as a sculptor, a furniture builder, an imagery specialist, and a fabricator, eventually becoming a master Potter at Silver Dollar City.

Bryan has worked for notable clients such as Disney, Hershend Family Entertainment, Bass Pro, and other highly regarded companies.

Matt Palmer is a skilled and knowledgeable welder with over 7 years of experience in the field. He is a certified pipe welder under ASME Section IX and a certified structural welder under AWS Section D1.1. Matt has extensive experience with various welding processes such as SMAW, GTAW, FCAW, and GMAW. He has worked on a variety of projects, from shutdowns in mills to welding sanitary stainless tubes in dairy processing plants.

When Matt is not welding, he enjoys spending time outdoors. He loves to hunt and fish year-round, and he is also heavily involved with his home church as a youth leader. Matt is part of the men's softball team for his church and enjoys playing with his friends. He believes in giving back to his community and using his skills to help others. Matt's dedication to both his work and personal life helps Paragon deliver with excellence.

JC Smith is a highly skilled woodworking professional with 10 years of experience in the industry. He specializes in operating CNC routers and has a high level of proficiency with hand operated routers as well. He is an expert in maintaining all types of woodworking equipment and commercial fabrication tools and machinery. JC has a strong understanding of CNC programming, modeling, and cutting operations, making him an asset to any woodworking team. Throughout his career, JC has demonstrated a great eye for detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.

When he's not working, JC enjoys pursuing his two passions: woodworking and competitive gaming. He's particularly fond of FPS gaming and Super Smash Brothers, but he's always interested in any competitive PVP style game. JC is also a family man, with a large family that he enjoys spending time with. He often incorporates his hobbies into family time, practicing woodworking or gaming with his loved ones. JC's dedication to both his craft and his family helps him approach problems with a balanced perspective. 

Austin Butcher has over 8 years’ experience in theatrical scenic design and fabrication. He has worked for Springfield Public Schools, MSU and JQH as a Technical Director and Scenic Designer. He has very valuable experience in building sets, designing scenic elements, technical direction, and many other facets of theatrical production.

Austin is one of Paragon Fabrication’s Artistic Fabricators and he fabricates and assembles architectural scenic elements primarily working with aluminum and steel for entertainment facilities, houses of worship and corporate venues, nationwide.

Austin resides in Springfield, MO where he enjoys all things theater related and is very involved in his church community.

Coal Sanborn has over 3 years’ experience in custom fabrication and finishing processes. He has worked for Ozark Mountain Adventures and Limoland as part of their custom vehicle production team. He has very valuable experience in shop production, metal fabrication, material surface prep and finishing processes.

Coal is one of Paragon Fabrication’s Artistic Finishers and he is responsible for sculpting and fabricating custom realistic or idealistic trees, characters, animals and other elements based on client desires. He also handles all manner of surface preparation of materials as well the application of surface a many different finishes for Paragon’s nationwide, diversified client base.

Coal enjoys running and climbing outdoors and resides in Springfield, MO with his family.

Brandon joins Paragon Fabrication as an Artistic Fabricator. His background includes over 6 years of construction experience. He has worked in Branson and Springfield, doing both fabrication and truss work. He also runs his own business as your classic smalltown handyman. Brandon is excited to share his unique and creative perspective with the Paragon Team.

In his spare time, Brandon enjoys woodworking and carving, along with building furniture. He lives with his wife, Keisha, and they have a 1-Year-Old, Rowen. They also live with their two dogs, Marco and Prue.

Alex joins Paragon Fabrication as an Artistic Fabricator. He has many years of experience in theater work and construction, working across the US. Alex grew up in Oklahoma until moving to Alaska where he helped build a coffee shop, which he and his sister would run. Making many connections from this business venture, he was asked to move to Hawaii for exciting opportunities. He has spent the last 16 years in both locations, building and instructing. He worked on Artesia and at Noko Theater in Hawaii, as well as teaching permaculture. Alex then moved back to West Plains, MO, where he is helping his parents construct fun activities for their resort.

Alex brings a fun-loving personality to the team. He is excited to share his creativity and humor with Paragon Fabrication. In Alex's free time, he loves working on his own projects, and making art, but most of all, he loves music. Alex loves to write, sing, play his ukulele, and produce his own music. In Hawaii, he even had his own radio show where he could share his love for music. Alex now lives in Missouri with his girlfriend, Bethanea, and their two dogs.

With 16 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Mark Elms has a diverse skill set that spans from cooking to serving and even managing. Additionally, Mark has spent 5 years working as a mechanic in the automotive industry, specializing in general repairs of drivetrains, suspensions, exhaust systems, and more. His versatility and in-depth knowledge of the multiple industries affords him a broad and creative approach to fabrication. Eager for a new challenge, Mark is excited to delve into the world of artistic fabrication. He aspires to broaden his skill set and take on unique and extraordinary projects that showcase his creativity and leave clients amazed. Whether it's creating one-of-a-kind sculptures or designing intricate custom pieces, Mark is ready to embrace the artistic aspect of fabrication and push the boundaries of his craft.

Outside of work, Mark's life revolves around his family and his passions. He actively participates in his church, lending his musical talents to play for the congregation. Engaging in mission trips and helping those in need brings him a sense of fulfillment and purpose. When he's not dedicating time to his church and family, Mark indulges in his love for music. As a blues musician for over 24 years, he excels at playing the drums, bass, and guitar. His affinity for the outdoors is evident in his various activities, including running, hiking, off-roading, and participating in water sports. However, one of his greatest passions is drag racing. With a lifelong connection to the sport, Mark has been racing funny cars, bikes, and traditional dragsters since he was a child, and the thrill of the track remains an essential part of his life.

With an impressive 20 years of experience in custom metal fabrication and woodworking, Jarrett Hudson brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a passion for highly creative custom fabrication, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. He has honed his skills in the custom automotive industry, specializing in full restoration builds for vintage Chevrolet Camaros from 1967 to 1969. Additionally, Jarrett served as the install shop lead for custom Overland Vehicle builds at Artemis Overland Hardware, showcasing his ability to tackle complex and innovative projects. His extensive experience and dedication to his craft make him a valuable asset to the Paragon Fabrication team.

Beyond his work, Jarrett's personal life revolves around his family and his faith. He has been happily married for 27 years and finds immense joy in spending time with his loved ones. He is actively involved in his church community, where he finds fulfillment and a sense of belonging. In his spare time, Jarrett channels his creativity into making custom furniture for friends and clients, combining his passion for woodworking with his talent for craftsmanship. He also embraces the great outdoors, enjoying activities like camping and overlanding. With his distinctive silver beard and luxurious full head of hair, Jarrett exudes a unique sense of style that results in deluge of compliments from friends and strangers alike.

John Oddo brings a diverse skill set and a wealth of experience to his role. With five years of experience in land surveying for the gas and oil pipeline industry, he has developed a keen eye for precision and attention to detail. Additionally, his two years in commercial and residential fence building have honed his craftsmanship and problem-solving abilities. John is also an experienced welder, proficient in various welding techniques. However, he is excited to embark on a new chapter in his career, eager to expand his knowledge in artistic fabrication processes and create projects that make a significant positive impact on clients.

Outside of work, John finds joy in spending time with his loved ones. He enjoys taking leisurely trips to parks with his girlfriend and their dog, appreciating nature and quality time together. Another passion of John's lies in painting miniature figurines and models, allowing him to unleash his creativity and attention to detail in a different medium. When he has the opportunity, he also enjoys immersing himself in video games, finding entertainment and relaxation in the virtual world. Through his diverse interests and dedication to his craft, John brings a well-rounded perspective to both his professional and personal endeavors.

With 25 years of experience in metal fabrication, Richard Wood brings a wealth of expertise to any project he undertakes. Throughout his career, Richard has demonstrated his skill in fabricating various components for different industries. He has contributed to the construction of high-rise buildings by fabricating parts for later assembly. Additionally, Richard has worked on heavy equipment for the coal industry, ensuring the fabrication of durable and efficient components. His craftsmanship extends to ornamental steel fabrication, where he has created intricate and visually stunning pieces. Notably, Richard has also played a significant role in the fabrication of custom elements for the signage and exterior components of renowned Vegas casinos.

Outside of work, Richard's personal life revolves around his family and his love for the outdoors. As a dedicated family man, he finds joy in spending time with his grandchildren, passing on his knowledge and appreciation for nature. Richard's upbringing in Maine fostered his deep connection with the outdoors, and he has been an avid fishing and trapping guide. His passion for outdoor activities extends to hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, and more. Having previously run a cattle ranch in California, Richard has developed a fondness for working with horses and cattle. He actively raises livestock, including cattle, pigs, horses, and chickens, showcasing his commitment to the agricultural lifestyle. Richard's multifaceted interests in fabrication and outdoor pursuits make him a well-rounded and valuable team member.

Arianna Smith has joined Paragon Fabrication as part of its internship program. Members of our paid internship program have the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in a professional custom fabrication shop environment, as they consider their career. Through our hands‐on, year‐round internship program, students have a unique opportunity to work alongside an award‐winning team of professionals. This work can include artistic fabrication, artistic finishing, carpentry shop work and other opportunities in a part-time or full-time capacity. Some of our interns get the opportunity to work in the field on active jobsites. Paragon Fabrication is committed to building tomorrow’s custom fabrication leaders.

Arianna is a first-year intern with Paragon Fabrication and is a Senior at Drury University studying, double majoring in both Architecture and History. Arianna lives in Springfield, MO and enjoys playing the cello and drawing landscapes in her free time.

Briar Conner has over 7 years’ experience in the custom fabrication and construction industry. He graduated from Baylor University in Waco, TX with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He worked for C-Star Manufacturing where he was a welder, machinist, ornamental iron fabricator and heavy-machine operator.

Briar is one of Paragon Fabrication’s Artistic Fabricators and he fabricates and assembles architectural scenic elements primarily working with aluminum, steel, wood, fiberglass, rigid foam and many other materials for entertainment facilities, houses of worship and corporate venues, nationwide.

Briar resides in Springfield, MO with his wife where he enjoys all things outdoors and forging his knives.

Jayson Mathoon has over 10 years’ experience in the custom fabrication industry. He has worked for Sport-Jet Limited as a carbon fiber fabrication specialist for airplane fuselages. He also spent 10 years working as a custom car audio installer for several large companies. He has very valuable experience in industrial design, carbon fiber fabrication, custom auto fabrication and audio installation.

Jayson is one of Paragon Fabrication’s Artistic Fabricators and he fabricates and assembles architectural scenic elements primarily working with aluminum, steel, wood, fiberglass, rigid foam and many other materials for entertainment facilities, houses of worship and corporate venues, nationwide.

Jayson resides in Springfield, MO with his wife where he enjoys working on custom JDM cars and home theater systems.