Darya Jennings
Logistics Broker
Darya Jennings is a Florida native having been born and raised in Tampa, Florida. She graduated from Chamberlain High School and attended Pasco Hernando Community College. In her first introduction to the world of business, Darya was employed by a local scrap recycling facility. Quickly, she became immersed in the job. Her passion for the industry, while developed over 25 years ago, still remains strong to this day. While working her way up in the business, Darya became involved in every aspect of the recycling / logistics business. She has been completely involved in day-to-day operations, management, sales, bookkeeping, accounting and business development. She was introduced to the non-ferrous/ferrous aspect of recycling and used that knowledge in buying and selling hundreds of thousands of pounds on a monthly basis, sometimes including the import and export services for the business. Along with the buying and selling of material, she also handled the logistics of the material from the supplier to the consumer. Darya continued to broaden her knowledge of the business, all the while developing an aptitude for the continued growth of the facility. The knowledge, determination and passion she brings to the recycling / logistics business has greatly assisted in the success of any recycling/ logistics venture that she has undertaken. Outside the business world, Darya’s hobbies consist of hunting, fishing, camping and spending time outdoors with her husband, 3 boys and step-daughter.
Scott Deason
Logistics Broker
Scott is originally from upstate New York. He was born and raised in a small town outside of Albany, New York. He misses the beauty and the temperatures of the spring, summer and fall seasons but definitely does not miss the winter and the snow. Although, skiing was always a fun way to pass the time in the winter.
Scott began brokering freight 5 years ago and joined the Connect 1 Logistics family in August of 2019. He loves brokering freight so much that he cannot think of anything else he would rather be doing for a living. Before the freight business Scott was a nurse (LPN) for a few years and then he realized that that line of work was just not for him. He then moved into auto parts and worked his way up to managing a regional parts warehouse for 10 years. While working with auto parts Scott learned all about fixing cars and although he is no longer in that line of work that remains a passion for him. One of Scott’s dreams is to own a couple classic muscle cars.
Scott is a dedicated family man who loves spending any extra time he has with his wife and son.
Michelle Van Tilburg
Office Accounts Payable/Receivable
Michelle Van Tilburg is an Ohio native and moved to Florida in 1969. Michelle has three children and three grandchildren. When her children were young she took on a career for 10 years of raising her children as well a being a mom to the children she cared for daily, in her home child care. Prior to this Michelle worked in a dental practice as office manager, dental assistant & lab technician. Michelle also taught at a small private school for 5 years and has spent much of her time volunteering and coaching.
In 2005 Michelle joined the family business, Silvercrested Management, and is a licensed Community Association Manager. In 2008 Michelle and her brother Chad purchased the company from their father. Michelle handled overseeing all the administrative duties for all properties and for the SilverCrested Company. Chad & Michelle sold the company early in 2015 and Michelle continued to work with the new owners through the transition.
In June 2016 Michelle became a part of the Connect 1 Logistics family. Although, new to the scrap and trucking industry, Michelle is fluent with the accounting roll she is handling including accounts payable and receivable.Her attention to detail and work ethic are undeniable. It is important to Michelle that all customers and vendors are satisfied with the service of the company.
Outside of work you will find Michelle enjoying time with family and friends, camping and boating.
Chad Van Tilburg
Owner
Chad was born just outside Brandon, Florida. His father Lee and mother Aurelia (Rae) delivered him in his dad’s brand new Toyota on the way to the hospital in the parking lot of Roberts Meat Market. He jokes that he has always tried to stay ahead of the game.
Growing up in Cape Coral, Florida, Chad was immersed in the scrap industry by his parents. At that time, the scrap industry was not going to be a way of life. In 1994 Chad began what became a successful 10 year career with Circuit City, finally overseeing 30 stores in 7 states. In 2004, he left Circuit City to join his father in his property management business. Eventually, he and his sister, Michelle Collins, co-own SilverCrested Management. With 30 full time staff members they provided management services to 76 condominium and home owners associations. Early in 2015 Chad & Michelle sold SilverCrested Management.
In 2008, his interest in the scrap industry rekindled and he joined Valley Metal Services. Bob began training Chad on all aspects of the industry and in the fall of 2009 he made his first trade. Over the next few years he transitioned from full time property management to now full time scrap trading. In 2014 Chad became a partner in business with Bob and Rae.
While there would not appear to be spare time for relaxation, often enough you can find his wife, Nadya, and him boating in the Gulf of Mexico or riding their Harley. They have no children other than their 6 year old chocolate lab, Remington, and cats Alli, Charlie, Fergi and Ferrous.
Nadya Van Tilburg
Owner
Born an original Florida Cracker, Nadya did an eight-month stint with Chad in 2003, enduring through a New Hampshire winter. Deciding snow was not for her, she high tailed it back to good old South West Florida to sunshine and warmth.
For the last nine years she has been in the property management field at Silver Crested Management, primarily a Condominium Association Management. Previously she worked in several fields of construction, ranging from Electrical, HVAC and Trim Carpentry.
She was given the opportunity to work for Valley Metal Services in the fall of 2011 and enjoys working for a company that is truly a cut above the rest. Like most of the reps at Valley Metal Services, she is lucky to work side by side with her husband, Chad Van Tilburg and treasures the family atmosphere. She spends time in both companies.
When not working, Nadya enjoys the company of friends and family.
Bob Merkle
Owner
Bob has over 50 years in the scrap industry, mainly in Florida. He has worked for a major stainless broker and processing company from Chicago. In addition, he was associated with a major national and international ferrous broker/processor involved in purchasing, organizing buying programs, training and market surveys. He also has many years of experience in yard management.
After “retiring” in late 2008 to the North Carolina mountains, Bob decided to continue to pursue his passion in the scrap industry and established Valley Metal Services, LLC. along with his wife, Rae, who also spent many years in the scrap industry. With his many contacts and friends in the industry Bob began successful trading adding four independent reps covering the Southeastern United States. Bob states that “Retirement has really been fun and exciting doing what I love most!”
During his free time Bobs enjoys the weather in Southwest Florida, boating and having fun in the sun. He also shares his love, time and devotion to the five dog “babies” that he and Rae have.