Meet the Team
About Dave Gemmill- President
Dave Gemmill grew up working on his grandfather’s farm and his mother was an advocate of working hard to progress in life. With those core values, Dave set out on a life’s journey to be an entrepreneur, always wanting to own his own business, even from the age of 12. Though he did not envision the pavement marking industry at that time, life has a way of taking turns to change your path.
During the summer of 1985, a former teacher, whom he stayed in contact with, presented him with a job opportunity in the parking lot line striping business. Dave decided to take the position with the small firm and worked through the end of that year feeling he was taking great strides with a decent job. He was offered a foreman’s position for the start of following spring season in 1986 after the winter layoff season. Unfortunately that upcoming spring season he received a phone call from his employer stating the company was having financial difficulties and that the business was closing. Dave took a few weeks to think about what he was going to do, knowing he no longer had a job, he called his former employer and asked what he was planning on doing with their equipment. His old employer replied stating the equipment would be sold. With that being said Dave took his $6800.00 in his savings to purchase the minimum equipment necessary to start his own line painting company. In April of 1986 Dave started Traffic Line Painting Systems, which later became D.E. Gemmill Inc. once it was incorporated. At the age of 18, Dave realized his dream of having his own business was coming true.
The next 4 years were difficult and trying, because even though Dave knew how to perform the work, he had to learn all about managing and running a business. As time progressed he learned from his mistakes, kept making great strides and his business began to grow. Not only did he focus on line painting but he also began installing traffic sign projects. He began to build trust with customers and established a network of clients. He worked many hours and began hiring people to assist with the day to day operations and work load. Overtime the company began to branch out from parking lots to road projects, they opened their own sign manufacturing division, started renting traffic control devices, and began to provide commercial and industrial sealcoating and crack sealing work.
In the early 2000’s Colleen Gemmill (Dave’s wife) joined the company full time and under her direction the company began to sell safety apparel and traffic control products. In 2014 D.E. Gemmill opened a retail location on Belmont Street in York, PA.
Today the company has evolved into a leader in the pavement maintenance and marking industry. Operating in over five states in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Employing over 50 employees, operating a sign shop that is both Penn DOT and SHA (Maryland Certified) and performing many unique and high profile projects, D. E. Gemmill has recently celebrated their 31st year in business.
Dave credits the success of the company to having long term highly skilled employees, dedicated to providing quality services and products to our customers.
Dave has not slowed down you can find him on projects anytime day or night, and managing the company. He typically puts in 14 or more hours per day. He still loves what he does and enjoys the unique challenges of the industry and business. He has said Hard work pays off and that the investment he made to start his business was the best investment he has ever made.
About Colleen Gemmill- Vice President
Colleen Gemmill has a Behavioral Science background. She is a trained Fire Fighter with over thirty years in the volunteer fire service. She has spent twenty-five years building a successful retail business, selling safety products to the construction industry, emergency services and municipal agencies.
Colleen made it her personal mission to do everything she can to keep people safe. This includes starting a business for women’s safety apparel, to bring proper fitting safety gear to women.
You can find Colleen active on several committees for organizations D.E. Gemmill belongs to, including ABC, ATSSA and National Safety Council. These organizations gives her the opportunity to learn from professionals across the country and the world as well as speak at conferences, round table discussions and other events.
When Colleen is not attending conferences or meeting with customers you will most likely find her volunteering for Make-a-Wish or spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.
About Jared Dutt- Vice President
D.E. Gemmill currently employs Jared as Vice President of the company. Jared came from a municipality background and transferred into the private business industry. He brings to the table 20 years experience in the construction trade and has extensive knowledge of signs and sign installation. Jared a very intense, focused, intuitive, and highly driven individual takes pride in providing perfection for his employees and customers alike.
About Steve Meashey- Human Resources/Safety
Steve has his Occupational Safety Degree from Millersville University and brings 20+ years of HR/Safety experience while supporting local businesses and manufacturing operations. In Steve’s spare time he enjoys watching all Pittsburgh sports, time with his daughter and reading. He has 3 rescue dogs and a super dwarf reticulated python.
About Eric Buckingham- Superintendent
Eric has been with D.E. Gemmill for over 10 years, he oversees our Thermoplastic Division. He supervises the crew members out on the roadway ensuring the specifications are met for the thermoplastic job at hand. He also ensures crew members are maintaining safe work practices and following the state and local guidelines. Eric also communicates with inspectors about compliance with job codes and keeps up with the maintenance of the thermoplastic equipment. In Eric’s spare time you will find him outdoors, hunting, fishing, or spending time with his wife and their two sons.
About Ashley Buckingham- Marketing/Business Development Director
Ashley has over 15 years of retail management experience and secures her specialized business degree in fashion marketing. Our marketing director oversees the development and implementation of D.E. Gemmill’s brand strategy. Ashley develops the marketing strategy for new and existing campaigns, events, digital marketing, and public relations. She also commands the operations of D.E. Gemmill’s website, email marketing program, customer databases, company and employee newsletters, social media platforms and she also handles some of our sales accounts. Ashley enjoys camping, the outdoors, canning, deer hunting and spending time with her husband and their two sons.
About Jessica Gemmill-Project Manager/Estimator
Jessica started out working on our parking lot painting crew and was later promoted to estimator. She prepares detailed cost estimates by analyzing plans and specifications as well as performing quantity take offs. You also might find her meeting with our potential clients or subcontractors to discuss options for our proposed services. In Jessica’s spare time she enjoys spending time with her son.
About Josh Lofties-Project Manager/Estimator
D.E. Gemmill welcomes Josh to our team. Josh is a drumline instructor at York Suburban High School and he also is a volunteer fire police for Springettsbury Township. He enjoys watching the Baltimore Orioles, Oklahoma Sooners, and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
About Megan Burkhardt- Sign & Graphics Division Manager
Megan obtained her Bachelor of Graphic Design from the Art Institute of York. Megan is gifted with a passion for design, and has a strong background in print and print production. She loves to travel with her best friend and pitbull mix, and is often found going on adventures, finding local bars/hangouts, or at home doing artwork. She is a wing Wednesday enthusiast.
About Destiny Moser- Sign and Graphics Division
Destiny obtained her associate degree in graphic communications and printing technologies from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. She has experience in digital print production. She enjoys hiking with her dogs and spending time around a campfire with family and friends.
About Corey Semerad- Manager
Corey spent 20 years prior to D.E. Gemmill working as a restaurant manager. He currently oversees our retail locations merchandise/new inventory and inside sales. In his free time, he enjoys watching & playing baseball. Go Orioles! He lives in York with his wife Ashley and their 3 dogs.
About Tammy Gemmill- Executive Assistant
Tammy has been D.E. Gemmill’s executive assistant for over 10 years. She handles all of our extremely important office duties such as Employee Payroll, Job Contracts, Receiving, Accounting, as well as receiving our company’s incoming calls. In her spare time you find her on the farm and spending time with her animals.
About Joanne Gladfelter- Administrative Assistant
Joanne brings over 35 years of office experience, both in non-profit and for-profit sectors. In her spare time, you can find her reading, cooking or quilting. She is happily married and has one son, who is a Freshman at West Chester University.
About Christine Kurk- Accounting Specialist
After getting her Ph.D. in chemistry in France, Christine worked for ten years as a chemist before switching to accounting. When she is not tending her flock of Shetland sheep with her husband, she enjoys knitting and spinning. She is also a volunteer at the Collinsville Community Library.
Emily Smeltzer- Store Sales
Emily has worked in childcare for several years with a brief time at Royal Farms. In her free time she enjoys yard sales, thrift stores and playing with her daughter and chocolate lab.