Leadership Team

PAUL DESMET

President

Mr. Paul DeSmet received his Electrical Engineering degree from South Dakota State University. After graduation, he entered the US Navy where he served sixteen years on active duty. He initially served as an instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power school teaching Fluid Flow, Thermodynamics, and Electrical Engineering. Later, he served on submarines where he qualified as nuclear engineer and command of submarines. He left active duty in 1999 to join Advanced Protective Coatings in Huntsville, Alabama, where he became the General Manager. Advanced Protective Coatings eventually would become LINE-X Protective Coatings where he served as the Executive Vice President. His responsibilities included Product and Business Development, Marketing, Sales, Technical Services, International Operations, and Strategic Initiatives. Throughout his time at Advanced Protective Coatings and LINE-X, Mr. DeSmet continued his service in the Navy Reserves, retiring in July 2010 at the rank of Captain. In the Navy, Mr. DeSmet earned the Defense Meritorious Service medal, six Navy Commendation medals, and five Navy Achievement medals. Mr. DeSmet is the co-owner of Tiger-Rock Martial Arts of Hagerstown and is also a pilot that holds an Air Transport License and is type rated in Honda Jets.

STEPHEN COOK

Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Cook has 30 + years’ experience in business operations for commercial, defense, and aerospace industries. Extensive background in accounting process and procedures and RFP requirements for both privately owned and aerospace and defense related companies. Experience also includes a broad knowledge of federal government contracting, procurement methods, FARS, DFARS and agency guidance, international business, export control, licenses, ISO 9000/AS9100 regulations and technology transfer agreements. Extensive background in strategic business planning and development, marketing intelligence, proposal preparation, contracts and program management, business processes review, and cost analysis. Mr. Cook is the TMC chief financial officer with the Finance and Human Resource departments reporting to him.

Steve is a native of Huntsville and a graduate of Jacksonville State University with a BS in Business Administration majoring in accounting.

Robert Soto

Vice President of Engineering
Technical Micronics Control (TMC Corp)

Robert Soto has 25 years of experience as an Electrical Engineer and engineering leader. He completed his B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering at Florida International University in 1998. Following his degree work, Robert became an entrepreneur participating in three technology startups between 1998 and 2009. He then accepted a role at Rocky Research, an applied thermodynamics company in the defense sector. There he grew the electrical engineering and software team becoming a Director of Electrical Engineering in 2012 and then Director of Engineering in 2020 when the company was acquired by Honeywell. Between 2009 and 2023 Robert and his team developed power conversion, control, and distribution systems as well as energy storage systems for several first-of-a-kind Directed Energy weapon systems for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

JASON BAILEY

Vice President of Operations

Mr.  Bailey has 30+ years of broad industrial, commercial, defense, facilities and management experience from fabrication, assembly, stamping and welding to DOD targets management, facilities engineering and aerospace services. Extensive experience, problem solving skills and an “outside the box” approach have yielded proven results over the course of time and multiple endeavors.

A lifelong native of Athens, Alabama, Jason also attended Calhoun Community College and Auburn University School of Engineering and is an EMA volunteer.

Justin Plunkett

Vice President of Sales
Technical Micronics Control (TMC Corp)

Justin Plunkett is Vice President of Sales for Technical Micronics Control (TMC Corp.). He is responsible for building client relationships while developing and implementing a comprehensive sales strategy that aligns with the company’s overall business objectives.

Plunkett brings over 20 years of sales experience to the company. He is known for his management skills and for being honest, fair and knowledgeable in any industry he focuses on. Prior to TMC Corp., Plunkett spent several years as a Territory Sales Manager for Rhino Linings Corporation responsible for sales and customer retention for six corporate divisions in his territory. Prior to Rhino Linings, Plunkett was with LINE-X Protective Coatings for over 16 years as Manufacturing and Industrial Sales Manager. At LINE-X, he was instrumental in securing many large industrial clients for the company.

Justin Plunkett is a strong operations management professional and graduate of Snead Community College with an emphasis on business.

In his spare time, Plunkett enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. He is also the owner of JP Custom Coatings in Albertville, Alabama.