Our People
Alex Zuran III, P.E.
President & General Manager
Mr. Zuran III P.E., the original founder, is a visionary leader with 30 years of Engineering and Quality Testing experience, who oversees PNL’s entire ISO certified operations, overall projects, training and certification of inspection staff, and implementation of procedural codes. His innovative style of management lends itself to the cutting-edge technological advances in Quality Testing, investing in the newest tools available. PNL was founded with the solid premise that adhering to codes and standards should be the primary principle value that governs our tests and inspections. Our company values of integrity, knowledge, and flexibility embody this core philosophy at every level. His current responsibilities include managing overall projects, training and certifying inspection and test personnel, implementing procedures and determining testing methods as applicable to the specific projects, and overseeing quality systems at PNL.
Kellie Watson
Executive Director
Mrs. Watson expertly manages the daily operations and scheduling inherent in PNL’s complicated 24/7/365 service schedule. Her organizational planning ensures a seamless client centered approach to onsite quality and technical procedures. Kellie manages and oversees PNL’s operations, quality, and financial infrastructure with a dedicated team of professionals. Her success in operational excellence is significantly reflected in our ongoing positive client feedback. Her contributions to our success have been immeasurable since she joined our team in 2001.
Gil Mendez, PhD
Chief Technology Officer
Mr. Mendez holds a PhD in Mathematics from Arizona State University with an undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Technology degree from Purdue University. He oversees PNL’s IT department encompassing our data infrastructure including the strategic initiatives, overall operations, financial systems, CRM software, client feedback tracking, analytics and software development. He also manages the company’s website along with IT security. He joined our team in 2002 and has been an integral part of PNL’s growth being involved in both the long range and emergent IT needs of the organization.
Joseph Krywicki
Project Manager, Quality & Safety
Mr. Krywicki has over 10 years of experience working in the inspection and testing industry. He has worked as a Project Manager, Quality manager, and as an NDT technician. He has been with PNL since 2012.
Roberta Gordon
Director Sales and Marketing
Mrs. Gordon came to PNL in 2021 with 15+ years of Business Development Management experience in the Engineering and Manufacturing sectors. Her position leads the initiatives for the Sales and Marketing team- driving the sales trajectory and branding of PNL. Her responsibilities include client relationship development, strategic partnership expansion, crafting and managing the quarterly digital newsletter PNL Quality Examiner, rebranding website, and social media platforms, coordinating professional events, promoting public relations opportunities and high school presentations regarding career paths in NDT. She has earned a certificate in Social Media Marketing from Cornell University.
Korey Dwyer
Project Manager, Nondestructive Testing
Mr. Dwyer, AAS in Nondestructive Testing and graduate of acclaimed Ridgewater College, is an extremely proficient, dedicated NDT Project Manager, overseeing PNL’s 24/7/365 multifaceted onsite NDT projects. He frequently directs dozens of simultaneous projects and technicians. These include a scope of work ranging from construction projects to power generation plants, involving high strength bolting, visual weld inspection, ultrasonic and radiography of structural, vessel and piping components. His ASNT certifications include Radiography, Magnetic Particle, Liquid Penetrant, Ultrasonic, Visual Weld Inspection and AWS certified Welding Inspector. During his tenure he has established the standard for PNL’s core values. He joined PNL in 2002.
Kyle Fleege, P.E.
Project Manager, Physical/Mechanical Testing
Mr. Fleege P.E., industrious director of PNL’s ISO Certified Mechanical Testing Laboratory, manages the process engineering, quality control, operations, procedures, and technical staff to implement the extensive international public transportation infrastructure projects that are examined here. The in-house laboratory tests include elastomeric bridge and overpass bearing pads and construction materials. His Lab staff additionally engages in mechanical testing, product testing, certification and materials properties testing under his supervision. Kyle leads the GPR Ground Penetrating Radar division of PNL’s Quality nondestructive testing services. The Laboratory has flourished under his steadfast guidance. He joined PNL in 2008.
Amber Trees, P.E.
Project Manager, Metallurgical & Materials Testing
Ms. Trees P.E. spearheads our leading-edge Metallurgical and Materials Testing Laboratory. A graduate of ASU in Material Science Engineering, her knowledge and experience has expanded PNL’s capabilities to include SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), material characterization, examining failure analysis on components for the medical devices, manufacturing, construction, and semi-conductor industries- which includes expert forensic witness testimony. Her scope of work provides confluence with the other departments across all industries, utilizing the physical lab capability to collaborate on mechanical processes. The region’s need for her services has skyrocketed, augmenting staff to accommodate the high demand for Metallographic services. She joined PNL in 2019.
Matthew Sorce
Project Manager, Advanced Services
Mr. Sorce, CWI graduated from the prestigious Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in 2012 and has been employed at PNL since then. He directs the Advanced Services testing team, supervising the lab and onsite projects requisite of PNL’s 24/7/365 business model, often administering multiple out of state regional projects. His expertise in ultrasonic phased array, computed radiography and eddy current examinations generate a new level of technical analytical inspection for our clients. He recently introduced MFE Mark IV Edge Scan MFL Manual and Mapping Software and Trimble TX6 laser scanning software for surveying/modeling into the catalogue of our Tank Inspection services. Matt’s vast contribution to PNL’s success has generated a pathway to the high-tech expansion that PNL represents.
IN THE NEWS
Bridges, stadium roofs & airports: Phoenix company makes sure steel and other material won't fail
Arizona Republic: PNL tests the steel and other materials that go into bridges, buildings, factories, power plants, mining installations, pipes, street lights, stadium roofs and more. Many of the projects we support are high-profile construction projects across the country.