About ACS Group
Dedicated to excellence, our team at ACS Group, LLC builds strong client relationships and delivers exceptional service across every project at any stage. We provide a wide range of services for a variety of industries, from advanced manufacturing facilities to high-rise renovations, ensuring safety and code compliance at every step.
Our commitment to technical excellence and our client-first approach enables us to tackle the complex challenges of today’s construction landscape.
OUR MISSION
At ACS Group, we lead the way in fire protection engineering and life safety consulting. Our commitment is to mitigate risks in the built environment, providing peace of mind through the development of robust safeguards and advanced solutions. With our innovative approach, professional precision, and deep technical knowledge, we craft unique and tailored safety solutions, anticipating potential challenges.
Our team at is dedicated to shaping a safer future, always prioritizing the best interests of our clients and the community. Our aim is to provide expert-level fire protection and life safety consulting, ensuring prompt response and delivery to meet the unique needs of every project. Join us in our mission to create a safer built environment today for a more secure tomorrow.
We're ready to assist you on your next project.
MEET OUR TEAM
James Taylor, P.E.
Principal & CEO
James Taylor is co-founder, Principal, and CEO of ACS Group, bringing over 16 years of fire protection engineering experience to complex, high-risk projects nationwide. He leads many of the firm's most technically challenging assignments, specializing in fire protection system design and review, commissioning, building and fire code consulting, and analysis of industrial processes and hazardous materials. His diverse portfolio includes work across alternative power vehicle facilities, casinos, hospitality, healthcare, government, and industrial sectors.
Before founding ACS Group, James gained national and international experience in Macau SAR, Chicago, and Atlanta, including leading the commissioning team for the MGM Cotai resort opening in Macau, China. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, an M.S. in Fire Protection Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and an MBA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
As CEO, James drives strategic growth and technical excellence while empowering his team to deliver innovative, code-compliant solutions for safer built environments.
David Neschke
Principal
David has been in the Fire Protection field for over 24 years. He first started in the industry when he joined the United States Navy in 1994. His Navy training involved the inspection, testing and maintenance of shipboard firefighting systems. In 1999 He joined Fire Protection Management (FPM) and continued to conduct inspections and testing of fire and life safety systems in the built environment. When FPM was absorbed by Rolf Jensen and Associates, David expanded his knowledge base to include code consulting and system design. Now as a Principal at ACS Group he is able to utilize his years of training and his Business degree to help build and run the company he co-founded.
Gage Weilert
Principal
Gage Weilert is serving as the Principal for the ACS Group Austin, Texas office. His duties include oversight of the office and associated Texas operations, business development and client relations. Gage has extensive experience in analysis of industrial processes and hazardous materials, design and commissioning of fire protection systems, alternate means and methods, and life safety code consulting. An expert communicator, collaborator and leader - Gage strives for excellence in all he does.
Tanner Burke, P.E.
VP of Engineering
Tanner is the VP of Engineering at ACS Group, known for his exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to innovation. He has played a key role in the growth of the Austin and Boston offices by effectively leading cross-functional teams and delivering impactful solutions.
Tanner brings over 10 years of hands-on experience in fire protection engineering to his leadership role. His strong educational foundation includes a Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which he has built upon through extensive real-world application and professional practice.
In his VP role, Tanner oversees complex operations and strategic planning while collaborating with developers, architects, contractors, and regulatory authorities to deliver innovative solutions across diverse building types.
Sean Miller, CFPS
Regional Director – West
Sean Miller has been a fire protection and life safety consultant for over 14 years, specializing in system design, consulting, and code compliance. He has worked across various sectors including Industrial, Data Centers, Higher Education, Life Sciences, Mixed-use, and Healthcare. His international and domestic experience allows him to integrate safety measures seamlessly from pre-design to the Certificate of Occupancy, ensuring projects meet the highest standards of safety and compliance.
As a Regional Director, Sean brings extensive research, leadership, and strategic positioning experience to the team. His commitment to excellence and innovative solutions makes him a trusted advisor in fire protection and life safety for both small and large-scale projects.
Mark Del Rosario
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer at ACS Group, Mark drives financial strategy and operational excellence, supporting the company's continued growth. With over 18 years of experience in healthcare and professional services, his expertise in financial reporting, process optimization, and systems integration is extensive. He has successfully streamlined operations through strategic implementations, directly supporting ACS Group's expansion across multiple markets.
Mark obtained his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Loyola Marymount University and is a licensed CPA in the state of Nevada. His commitment to delivering financial excellence and supporting innovative processes truly enhances organizational efficiency, positioning the company for sustained success.
Tony Callaway
Director of Code Compliance
Tony Callaway currently serves as the Director of Code Compliance for ACS Group. With over 27 years of combined experience in fire and law enforcement, Tony has dedicated his career to public safety, primarily in the role of Fire Marshal. His most notable position was as the Chief of the Travis County Fire Marshal's office, where he managed multiple divisions, including fire/building code, fire and explosion investigations, fire education and outreach, special events, and wildfire prevention, until his recent retirement from the public sector. Tony brings his wide range of professional fire protection expertise to assist in project compliance, to ensure our clients’ buildings are up to code, and have a protection plan in place.
Drew Perduk, P.E.
Regional Director – Texas
Andrew (Drew) Perduk is Regional Director for Texas at ACS, leading operational success across Austin and Dallas, overseeing workload coordination, training, recruiting, technical oversight of deliverables, and assisting in business development efforts. He's built extensive experience in facility assessments, fire suppression and alarm design, code compliance, and commissioning work. Drew brings a wide-range of experience in fire protection engineering, with an extremely detail-oriented approach to complex system design and commissioning. His expertise in implementing technical and creative life safety solutions, combined with his deep understanding of the ACS vision, drives exceptional results.
Drew holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, as well as a Professional Engineering license in multiple US states and an NCEES Model Law Engineer (MLE) designation for reciprocity nationwide. His dedication, technical excellence, and collaborative initiative make Drew instrumental to our mission of creating a safer built environment for everyone.
Mark Mecham, P.E.
Senior Fire Protection Engineer
Mark brings extensive experience in code consulting expertise to ACS Group's Las Vegas office, holding Professional Engineer licenses in Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. His extensive career spans numerous high-profile hospitality and mixed-use developments throughout Las Vegas, where he has been instrumental in fire protection reports, master egress plans, and complex smoke control commissioning efforts.
One of Mark's most notable achievements was overseeing construction inspection services for the landmark City Center Las Vegas project—a mixed-use development involving multiple contractors. Mark ensured seamless coordination of life safety systems across trades, facilitating smooth project turnover. He has also served as Engineering Manager for smoke control testing services, further solidifying his leadership experience in the field. Mark's valuable experience and technical depth make him a vital addition to the ACS Group team.
Jon Bernal
Fire Protection Consultant
Jon Bernal is a Fire Protection Consultant in Las Vegas and brings extensive fire protection experience from across the country. After serving as a fire protection engineer near Washington, DC, he returned to Nevada with diverse expertise, including roles as a licensed fire alarm technician in NYC, volunteer firefighter, and owner's representative for the US government. Jon holds NICET Level 2 Fire Alarm Certification and has led technical teams on major projects, designing systems for colleges, hotels, casinos, and energy storage facilities.
An OSU alumnus and recipient of the Alumni Legacy Award for Engineering, Jon maintains strong ties to his alma mater by advising Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity across 25 chapters nationwide. He also teaches judo, serves as an SFPE DFW mentor to emerging fire protection professionals, and is an active AIA Las Vegas member. Jon's industry expertise, deep community involvement, and commitment to mentorship make him an invaluable asset to the ACS team.
Parker Schamberger, RA
Life Safety Consultant
Parker Schamberger is a Life Safety Consultant on ACS Group's Special Projects team, supporting clients across all markets. A licensed architect and ICC-Certified Building Plans Examiner with 6+ years in the AEC industry, he specializes in life safety, code, and accessibility consulting for complex projects across industrial, commercial, mixed-use, multi-family, and education sectors. His expertise spans egress analysis, occupancy classification, fire-resistance-rated construction, AMMRs, and high-hazard industrial facilities, including hazardous materials coordination. He works collaboratively with owners, developers, architects, engineers, and AHJs to deliver practical, code-compliant solutions across new construction, existing buildings, and adaptive reuse projects from early planning through construction administration.
With a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Parker's blend of architectural expertise and life safety acumen positions him to tackle the industry's most complex consulting challenges with confidence and precision.
Moises Velasquez
Fire Protection Associate
Moises Velasquez is a Fire Protection Associate in ACS Group's Dallas-Fort Worth office. With a strong background in life safety design and review, fire alarm systems, and fire suppression systems, he brings expertise in code compliance and industry standards. Moises has contributed to projects spanning commercial, hazmat storage, healthcare, hospitality, residential, and manufacturing sectors. He specializes in fire protection design, building inspections, and code compliance, with particular expertise in performance-based engineering, smoke control systems, and hydraulic calculations.
Moises holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from The University of Texas at Dallas and uses his technical expertise and collaborative approach to ensure safe, compliant, and innovative fire protection solutions for every project.
Cole Nolting
Fire Protection Associate
Cole Nolting joined ACS Group as a Fire Protection Associate in the Austin office, following his graduation from Purdue University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology. His background spans sprinkler contracting and technical report writing across industrial, manufacturing, commercial, and higher education projects.
Cole delivers across a broad scope of project needs: engineering-level drawings for fire alarm, sprinkler, and egress systems at building and campus-wide scales, fire modeling production and analysis, BIM coordination on large-scale projects, and code report deliverables such as Occupancy Classification Letters, performance-based design reports, and fire protection life safety reports. His work also extends into hazardous materials documentation, including HMIS and Chemical Hazard Analysis production, making him a versatile and reliable contributor to the ACS team.
Emily Sharp
Fire Protection Associate
Emily Sharp is a Fire Protection Associate in our Las Vegas office, bringing more than 4 years of experience in the fire protection and construction industry. With a uniquely diverse skill set, her technical expertise spans firestop systems, construction document analysis, code compliance, and structural engineering software, complemented by hands-on experience in programming collaborative robots and developing innovative training programs.
Driven by curiosity and a passion for lifelong learning, Emily's career includes design and manufacturing consulting and field engineering, where she built strong relationships with engineers, architects, and contractors while leading technical education and on-site support initiatives. A natural mentor, she has trained new hires and led cross-functional teams. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, Emily brings both technical depth and creative problem-solving to every fire protection challenge.
Jun Choi
Fire Protection Associate
Jun Choi is a Fire Protection Associate at ACS Group's Austin office, bringing a strong background in fire alarm, fire suppression, and life safety system design. His experience spans a diverse range of sectors and building types, with a notable portfolio of international projects across the United States, South Korea, Japan, Guam, and Germany.
His hands-on approach sets him apart, with direct on-site coordination experience working alongside clients, contractors, and authorities throughout both the design and construction phases of projects. Jun’s ability to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments across different regions reflects his adaptability and commitment to delivering safe, compliant solutions.
Jun holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology from Oklahoma State University, providing a strong technical foundation that supports his work across a wide variety of project types and demands — making him a valuable asset to the ACS Group team.
Jessica Smith
Marketing Coordinator
With over 20 years of experience in the residential and commercial construction sectors, Jessica Smith brings a rare combination of creative instinct and operational depth to ACS Group. Though based in Austin, she supports the firm's marketing and business development strategies firmwide, with expertise in creative strategy, problem-solving, project management, and client support.
Holding a BFA in Studio Art Photography with additional education and experience in graphic design, Jessica brings a distinct visual sensibility to every initiative she leads. Her years of traditional and digital marketing, as well as administration in the construction industry, keep her work grounded in what actually moves projects and relationships forward. She also serves as a volunteer committee member with the SMPS Austin chapter, staying connected to the broader AEC marketing community and bringing that perspective back to the team.
Bobbi Amburgey
Office Manager
Bobbi Amburgey is the Office Manager for ACS Group and has over 20 years of experience working alongside executive teams in the fire protection engineering industry. She is responsible for all day-to-day office operations and procedures, maintains the monthly billing, is highly dependable, ethical, and uses her skills to ensure smooth operations in the busy ACS work environment. She works closely with the senior management team and shares the ACS team's vision for excellence.
Theresa Green
Director of People & Culture
Teresa Green is a seasoned business professional with over 20 years of experience in retail management, sales, business development, marketing, and HR. As our Director of People & Culture, she plays a key role in the day-to-day functionality of our team. Her early career was shaped by hands-on experience in her family's water conditioning business, where she honed her skills in business operations, customer service, and financial management.
Teresa also spent 9 years in the life safety industry, developing expertise in customer relationship management, business development, human resources, and administration. She excels at building and maintaining positive relationships across all organizational levels and is excited to be working in the life safety industry once again.
Preston Winters
Fire Protection Intern
As a Fire Protection Intern in ACS Group’s Las Vegas Office, Preston has one cumulative year of industry experience. He started with ACS as an intern during the summer of 2021 as a senior in high school but has recently taken on a part-time position while he pursues a computer science degree at UNLV. In his time working at ACS, Preston has experience in egress drawings, alternate means and methods, high piled combustible storage, and smoke and egress modeling.
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