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Appalachian University Systems

Appalachian University Systems

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MEET OUR TEAM

Meet Our Family
Brian Tipton
Principal

Brian teamed up with his father, John Tipton, in 1992 to start AUS. After the passing of his father in 2008, Brian assumed the role as President. As one of the first AUS family members, Brian has played a critical part in the growth of the company in both sales and impeccable installation services. He stays hands-on at AUS by writing specifications for furniture lines, quality control and continued customer care. Brian values personal involvement, calling his clients ensuring 100% satisfaction, from sales to the installation.  Brian and his beautiful wife Sandy have three boys, Redding, Sullivan and Camden and their joy, Ella.

Meet Our Family
Brian TiptonPrincipal

Brian teamed up with his father, John Tipton, in 1992 to start AUS. After the passing of his father in 2008, Brian assumed the role as President. As one of the first AUS family members, Brian has played a critical part in the growth of the company in both sales and impeccable installation services. He stays hands-on at AUS by writing specifications for furniture lines, quality control and continued customer care. Brian values personal involvement, calling his clients ensuring 100% satisfaction, from sales to the installation.  Brian and his beautiful wife Sandy have three boys, Redding, Sullivan and Camden and their joy, Ella.

Meet Our Family
Carson Vines
Director of Operations

Carson started working for AUS in 2009. His first taste of the furniture business was a truck full of headboards in Athens, GA. As Director of Operations, Carson is responsible for making sure the AUS team is working together to ensure that every order is fulfilled efficiently and to the satisfaction of the customer. His favorite thing about working for AUS is the shared trust between all employees. Carson is married to his beautiful wife, Emelie who is a school teacher. When he isn’t at work, he enjoys grilling and taking his German Shorthaired Pointer, Byron, for walks.

Meet Our Family
Carson VinesDirector of Operations

Carson started working for AUS in 2009. His first taste of the furniture business was a truck full of headboards in Athens, GA. As Director of Operations, Carson is responsible for making sure the AUS team is working together to ensure that every order is fulfilled efficiently and to the satisfaction of the customer. His favorite thing about working for AUS is the shared trust between all employees. Carson is married to his beautiful wife, Emelie who is a school teacher. When he isn’t at work, he enjoys grilling and taking his German Shorthaired Pointer, Byron, for walks.

Meet Our Family
Curtis Cook
Chief Development Officer

Curtis started with AUS in 2008. He is the Chief Business Development Officer which oversees marketing campaigns, customer advocacy, and telling the AUS story. In a world where the dollar rules, Curtis is thankful to be a part of a family that deals selflessly with its partners. Curtis believes he “out kicked his coverage” in marrying his wife and thankfully, his children look like her. The first piece of furniture Curtis ever carried for AUS was a small nightstand to the fourth floor. He put the furniture in the room, walked down to the stairs, and back to the truck to grab another. The whole walk back he was thinking, “How do these guys do this?”

Meet Our Family
Curtis CookChief Development Officer

Curtis started with AUS in 2008. He is the Chief Business Development Officer which oversees marketing campaigns, customer advocacy, and telling the AUS story. In a world where the dollar rules, Curtis is thankful to be a part of a family that deals selflessly with its partners. Curtis believes he “out kicked his coverage” in marrying his wife and thankfully, his children look like her. The first piece of furniture Curtis ever carried for AUS was a small nightstand to the fourth floor. He put the furniture in the room, walked down to the stairs, and back to the truck to grab another. The whole walk back he was thinking, “How do these guys do this?”

Meet Our Family
Dean Harvison
Managing Director  
Dean joined AUS in 1997 for an installation in Hammond, LA. After “celebrating” New Year’s eve with the furniture crew in Hammond, he thought, “What am I getting myself into?” At AUS, Dean focuses on company growth through sales, building relationships, and strategic planning. Dean is thankful to share the same Christian views and values with the AUS family. Dean’s wife is the quintessential Christian woman from Proverbs 31. His daughter is gifted with people, smart, athletic, and beautiful on the inside and out. Dean’s son is the most productive, driven, creative individual, with discipline to accomplish goals.
Meet Our Family
Dean HarvisonManaging Director  
Dean joined AUS in 1997 for an installation in Hammond, LA. After “celebrating” New Year’s eve with the furniture crew in Hammond, he thought, “What am I getting myself into?” At AUS, Dean focuses on company growth through sales, building relationships, and strategic planning. Dean is thankful to share the same Christian views and values with the AUS family. Dean’s wife is the quintessential Christian woman from Proverbs 31. His daughter is gifted with people, smart, athletic, and beautiful on the inside and out. Dean’s son is the most productive, driven, creative individual, with discipline to accomplish goals.
Meet Our Family
Jason Moore
Account Manager

Coming soon.

Meet Our Family
Jason MooreAccount Manager

Coming soon.

Meet Our Family
Jennifer Moore
Office Manager/Administration Assistant

Jennifer joined AUS in the Spring of 2011 as the Office Manager & Administrative Assistant to the Sales staff. She is the friendly voice you will reach when you call the main office at AUS – answering questions for customers concerning quotes and orders. Jennifer loves being a part of the AUS family that is committed to providing their very best for each other and their customers.  Her husband, Jason, is a preacher for a church in Chelsea, AL. They are originally from Tennessee where most of their families still live today. Jennifer enjoys reading and always has a book on hand. A trait passed down from her Mom and Dad.

Meet Our Family
Jennifer MooreOffice Manager/Administration Assistant

Jennifer joined AUS in the Spring of 2011 as the Office Manager & Administrative Assistant to the Sales staff. She is the friendly voice you will reach when you call the main office at AUS – answering questions for customers concerning quotes and orders. Jennifer loves being a part of the AUS family that is committed to providing their very best for each other and their customers.  Her husband, Jason, is a preacher for a church in Chelsea, AL. They are originally from Tennessee where most of their families still live today. Jennifer enjoys reading and always has a book on hand. A trait passed down from her Mom and Dad.

Meet Our Family
Kay Tipton
Bookkeeper

Kay began her journey with AUS by way of her husband, the founder, in 2007. She was hired as the Bookkeeper. After Johnny passed away in 2008 her children inherited the company. She enjoys seeing their successes and growth. “Kay-Kay,” as her grandchildren call her, is a retired teacher but still tutors students in math courses, ACT preparation, and PSAT preparation.

Meet Our Family
Kay TiptonBookkeeper

Kay began her journey with AUS by way of her husband, the founder, in 2007. She was hired as the Bookkeeper. After Johnny passed away in 2008 her children inherited the company. She enjoys seeing their successes and growth. “Kay-Kay,” as her grandchildren call her, is a retired teacher but still tutors students in math courses, ACT preparation, and PSAT preparation.

Meet Our Family
Kelley English
Accounting Manager

Kelley started at AUS in 2012. She is the Accounting Manager and oversees day-to-day accounting functions, financial reporting, and forecasting. She loves that the owners and employees have strong Christian values. She also loves the commitment to one another in name of teamwork. Kelley is married to Alan and they have two children, Phillip and Anna. She and Alan graduated from Auburn University and their children attend there as well. Needless to say their falls are spent on the Plains.

Meet Our Family
Kelley EnglishAccounting Manager

Kelley started at AUS in 2012. She is the Accounting Manager and oversees day-to-day accounting functions, financial reporting, and forecasting. She loves that the owners and employees have strong Christian values. She also loves the commitment to one another in name of teamwork. Kelley is married to Alan and they have two children, Phillip and Anna. She and Alan graduated from Auburn University and their children attend there as well. Needless to say their falls are spent on the Plains.

Meet Our Family
Landry Lyle
System Manager

Landry joined the AUS install team in the summer of 2013. He joined the AUS family full-time in September of 2015.  Landry works as the System Manager for AUS. He is behind the scenes maintaining and updating the ordering system for all products purchased by AUS customers.  Landry loves the people he works with and the relationships that continue to develop with each other as well as with AUS customers.  Landry is a newly-wed in June of 2016 to his wife Laura.  When he is not working, Landry spends his spare time playing sports or relaxing with friends.

Meet Our Family
Landry LyleSystem Manager

Landry joined the AUS install team in the summer of 2013. He joined the AUS family full-time in September of 2015.  Landry works as the System Manager for AUS. He is behind the scenes maintaining and updating the ordering system for all products purchased by AUS customers.  Landry loves the people he works with and the relationships that continue to develop with each other as well as with AUS customers.  Landry is a newly-wed in June of 2016 to his wife Laura.  When he is not working, Landry spends his spare time playing sports or relaxing with friends.

Meet Our Family
Laura Lyle
Office Administrator

In 2016, Laura joined the AUS team as an Inventory Manager. She now oversees multiple projects in the day-to-day operation of the company. Laura loves AUS because they really are family. She is married to Landry, our System Manager. They met in Tampa Florida where they both attended and graduated from Florida College. Laura will have you know that she has been a part of five national championship volleyball teams, two as a player and three as a coach.

Meet Our Family
Laura LyleOffice Administrator

In 2016, Laura joined the AUS team as an Inventory Manager. She now oversees multiple projects in the day-to-day operation of the company. Laura loves AUS because they really are family. She is married to Landry, our System Manager. They met in Tampa Florida where they both attended and graduated from Florida College. Laura will have you know that she has been a part of five national championship volleyball teams, two as a player and three as a coach.

Meet Our Family
Taylor Long
Logistics Director

Taylor came on board with the AUS team in 2015 as the warehouse manager.  He is now overseeing the logistics and warehousing of AUS products.  Taylor has a history with AUS as he worked as a warehouse employee in 2006.  He looks forward to being a part of the future of AUS as they continue to excel at installations and customer service in the student housing industry.  Taylor spends his spare time coaching his son, Andrew, in baseball and basketball.

Meet Our Family
Taylor LongLogistics Director

Taylor came on board with the AUS team in 2015 as the warehouse manager.  He is now overseeing the logistics and warehousing of AUS products.  Taylor has a history with AUS as he worked as a warehouse employee in 2006.  He looks forward to being a part of the future of AUS as they continue to excel at installations and customer service in the student housing industry.  Taylor spends his spare time coaching his son, Andrew, in baseball and basketball.

Meet Our Family
Tori Harvison
Chief Executive Officer

In 2008, Tori became a partner at AUS. She focuses on long term strategic planning, daily operations, and growing the AUS foot print across the nation. Tori is thankful the family atmosphere her father created is still present even after significant growth in recent years. She has been married to her husband since 1999 and they have two wonderful children, Luke and Laney. Luke is content building websites, editing film, or reading and Laney is content being a social butterfly. Interestingly, Tori has attended worship at the same building since she was two weeks old.

Meet Our Family
Tori HarvisonChief Executive Officer

In 2008, Tori became a partner at AUS. She focuses on long term strategic planning, daily operations, and growing the AUS foot print across the nation. Tori is thankful the family atmosphere her father created is still present even after significant growth in recent years. She has been married to her husband since 1999 and they have two wonderful children, Luke and Laney. Luke is content building websites, editing film, or reading and Laney is content being a social butterfly. Interestingly, Tori has attended worship at the same building since she was two weeks old.

Meet Our Family
William Hagewood
Installation Manger

William worked his first AUS  install in 2008 in Temple Terrace, FL. He is now the Installation Manager, overseeing the installation process from planning to execution. He ensures that the customer is satisfied with the quality of service AUS provides. Will values working with people who have such strong Christian convictions. He also enjoys getting to travel the country with AUS and seeing so many different cities. Will dated his loving wife in high school. 10 years later they reconnected, got married and had an adorable son, Max, born in February of 2016. When Will is not working, he is hunting. “Roll Tide.”

 

Meet Our Family
William HagewoodInstallation Manger

William worked his first AUS  install in 2008 in Temple Terrace, FL. He is now the Installation Manager, overseeing the installation process from planning to execution. He ensures that the customer is satisfied with the quality of service AUS provides. Will values working with people who have such strong Christian convictions. He also enjoys getting to travel the country with AUS and seeing so many different cities. Will dated his loving wife in high school. 10 years later they reconnected, got married and had an adorable son, Max, born in February of 2016. When Will is not working, he is hunting. “Roll Tide.”

 

Words from our workers...

“For starters, my son is named after one of my bosses.”

“AUS is different from other employers because of the people I work for and with. For starters, my son is named after one of my bosses. When people hear that, they don’t understand at first. AUS is a company built on Christian and family values. Values that can be clearly seen internally and externally. The way AUS treats each other and the customers is like no other. Brian and Dean treat us all as family. AUS is not just a job for me, they’re family.

In the later part of summer in 2012 there was a storm that caused delays in construction’s finishing of a building. The morning of the day that students were to be moved in we began furnishing the units at 2AM. After we finished the building, our crew of 6 guys worked until 6PM helping move students in and with anything else the property may have needed.”

William Hagewood - Installation Manager, with AUS since 2008

“We like to be challenged.”

“AUS is different from other companies because the people that make up this company, from the people that sell the furniture to the people that haul it up three flights of stairs in the heat of the summer, like to be challenged. Appalachian is different from the folks down the street because they get satisfaction out of being told they can’t do something. That doesn’t mean they’re arrogant and it doesn’t mean they want a spotlight. It means that as a team they embrace and welcome the fact that work is hard, and that for it to be rewarding there is a price to be paid.”

Carson Vines - Installation Leader, with AUS since 2009

“There aren’t many companies where employees feel that way.”

“AUS is different from other companies because of the vision created by Brian’s father, Mr. Tipton. In the old days when AUS first started, he instilled in everyone the mindset that we will do whatever it takes to get the job done. When other companies put in their 8 hours and go to the house, we are going to stay until the job is done. But not only that, we will also finish the job with a positive attitude and in a first class fashion. Mr. Tipton truly cared about the guys who worked on his crews. He was a great boss to work for. You knew he was in charge and he was kind-hearted and funny. But you sure didn’t want to upset him, because if things weren’t going well and if he got upset, then he was a stern and fierce intimidating man. We all loved him and he loved us. There aren’t many companies where employees feel that way. That vision has been carried over by his son and son in law. Brian and Dean (just like Mr. Tipton) are two of the finest men around and they truly care about their employees. It isn’t just an 8 to 5 job, it’s living a life together and bettering others who are associated with AUS.”

Wes Kelley - Installation Leader, with AUS since 1995

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