Who We Are
This One’s Personal
Most companies in this industry will tell you about their processes. Their network. Their lead times.
We’ll tell you those things too — because they’re true, and they matter. But they’re not what this page is about.
This page is about the people behind it.
OUR STORY
Coastal Steel Structures was built by people who became family before they became business partners.
Fathers. Best friends. Men who found each other through a shared obsession with an industry most people never think twice about and decided that if they were going to spend their careers in it, they were going to do it right.
Not right by industry standards. Right by their own.
That distinction is the whole company. It’s why clients don’t get handed off. Why phones get answered. Why a problem on a job site at 6am on a Friday is still our problem. The people running this company aren’t managing a portfolio of projects from a distance. They’re in it — genuinely, personally in it — because the work reflects who they are.
That’s not something you can train into an organization. It either comes from the top or it doesn’t come at all.
At Coastal Steel Structures, it comes from the top.
Leadership
The People Running This Company
Michael sees around corners. While the rest of the room is solving today's problem, he's already working on the one after it — asking the harder question, pressure-testing the assumption everyone else accepted, quietly repositioning the company for where the industry is going before most people know it's moving. He doesn't lead loudly. He leads clearly.
And in a business where ambiguity costs money and indecision costs projects, that kind of vision is the difference between a company that reacts and one that's always ready.
Chris loves this industry. Not as a talking point — genuinely, visibly, in the way he lights up when a project comes together and takes it personally when one doesn't. He's the reason Coastal's equestrian division runs almost entirely on referrals.
He doesn't sell buildings. He builds trust — and then the building follows. That kind of passion isn't something you manufacture. You either have it or you don't. Chris has always had it.
Kind. Experienced. Funny in the way that makes a hard conversation easier. Jake is the kind of operational leader clients don't always know they need until they've worked with him once — and then they won't work without him.
He's spent years inside the complexity of real projects: the budget that needed rethinking, the timeline that needed saving, the spec that needed someone willing to dig in and actually solve it. He does all of it without drama, without ego, and without making the client feel the weight of what just got handled on their behalf.
Things get figured out when Jake is involved. That's just how it goes.
Chris joined Coastal Steel Structures in 2020 and has grown quickly into his role as Estimator. He plays a key part in supporting the team by building clear, accurate estimates and helping projects stay on budget without cutting corners. His path into estimating wasn’t a straight line, but every step along the way sharpened his understanding of construction and steel buildings and made him stronger at what he does today.
Chris brings a practical, detail driven mindset to every project, shaped by hands on experience in both construction and steel. He’s focused on getting the numbers right so the work in the field goes smoothly and clients know exactly what to expect.
When he’s not working, Chris spends as much time as possible outdoors with his kids. Whether they’re hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, or exploring somewhere new, those moments help him recharge and stay grounded, both at work and at home.
Frank Muller has been part of Coastal Steel Structures since 2014 and has spent his entire time with the company in project management, now serving as Senior Project Manager. From day one, he’s been the steady point of contact for clients and general contractors, guiding projects from early coordination through engineering, fabrication, delivery, and installation.
Frank oversees customer service, estimating, and project management, making sure each phase stays aligned and nothing gets lost along the way. Known for his calm communication style and deep understanding of how the process flows, he brings clarity and consistency to every project and serves as a reliable anchor for both clients and the CSS team.
Outside of work, Frank enjoys traveling, discovering new places, and experiencing different cultures. Music is a constant in his life, whether he’s finding new artists or revisiting old favorites. Spending time with his family and Bowie helps him slow down, recharge, and stay grounded.
Shannon leads Business Development at Coastal Steel Structures and brings more than 14 years of industry experience with her. Since joining the team in March 2022, she’s become a trusted resource for both clients and coworkers, known for her clear communication and steady guidance. She has a knack for anticipating what’s needed next, solving problems before they grow, and helping projects move forward with confidence and clarity.
Shannon’s approach is rooted in relationships. She takes the time to understand people, explain the process, and make sure everyone feels supported from start to finish, which makes her an invaluable part of the CSS team.
Outside of work, Shannon is all about family. She’s a proud mom of five and a grandmother to one, with another grandchild on the way. She loves spending time with her loved ones, browsing high end boutiques and one of a kind thrift stores, and volunteering with children through her church and local community. That same heart for serving others shows up in everything she does, at work and at home.
Travis Welsh joined Coastal Steel Structures in 2024 and works as a Project Manager, helping guide projects from the moment an order is placed all the way through completion. He kicks things off by leading the internal handoff, then works directly with clients to make sure every detail is right before the project moves forward.
As projects progress through engineering, fabrication, delivery, and erection, Travis stays closely involved as the main point of contact. He’s there to answer questions, sort through challenges, and keep things moving so clients always know where their project stands and what’s coming next.
Before Coastal, Travis spent seven years in the PEMB world, including time as a steel detailer, 3D modeler, and project coordinator at a large manufacturer. That background gives him a strong understanding of how buildings go together and what it takes behind the scenes to keep projects running smoothly.
Outside of work, Travis enjoys board games, cooking, watching movies, and spending time with his family. He’s also a former nationally certified emergency responder, which speaks to his steady, dependable approach both on and off the job.
Violeta Thompson is the Marketing Manager at Coastal Steel Structures and the creative voice behind how the brand shows up. She helps shape marketing strategies and guides campaigns from idea to execution, ensuring everything is clear, consistent, and true to the company. Known internally as the go-to for branding, she helps protect the look, feel, and tone of Coastal Steel Structures while keeping projects organized and moving forward.
Violeta brings a calm, thoughtful approach to fast-paced work and has a natural ability to bring structure to complex ideas. Teammates rely on her for creative direction, clear communication, and steady follow through, trusting her to balance big picture thinking with the details that matter.
Outside of work, she calls New Orleans home. A devoted mother who values time with family and friends, she enjoys taking in everything the city has to offer. She rides in Krewe of Tucks during Mardi Gras and balances it all with the discipline and dedication of an Ironman athlete.
Sean joined Coastal Steel Structures in 2018 as a sales representative and quickly found his stride. As the company grew, so did his role, and today he serves as Sales and Marketing Coordinator. He supports daily sales efforts, helps drive larger marketing initiatives, and plays a key role in organizing convention appearances, making sure Coastal Steel shows up prepared and on point wherever we go.
Sean brings energy and flexibility to the team, comfortably moving between sales support, marketing coordination, and event planning to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.
Outside of work, Sean stays active and busy. He’s passionate about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, enjoys fishing whenever he can get out on the water, and loves spending time with his wife and kids. Live music is always a draw, and if there’s a show happening nearby, there’s a good chance you’ll find him there.
Patrick Coleman joined Coastal Steel Structures in February 2024 and works on the front end of the business as a Business Development Representative. He enjoys starting conversations, building relationships, and helping people think through their projects early on so things move faster and more smoothly later. Patrick plays an important role in creating momentum from the very first interaction and setting projects up for long term success. He brings curiosity, preparation, and a steady presence to every conversation.
Outside of work, Patrick keeps busy in ways that reflect his focus and curiosity. He is a former USPSA Master Class shooter who has recently returned to competitive shooting in Florida and also trains state and local agencies on his private outdoor range. He practices jiu jitsu as part of his daily routine and holds a degree in archaeology, which fuels his interest in exploring remote areas of Florida in search of ancient cultures.
JoAnn Decker joined Coastal Steel Structures in 2024 and serves as a Sales Development Representative, supporting projects from the moment an order is placed through completion. She leads the internal handoff process, confirms project details, and serves as the main point of contact through engineering, fabrication, delivery, and erection. JoAnn is known for her steady presence and for helping clients feel informed and supported throughout the process.
Before joining Coastal Steel Structures, JoAnn worked as a steel detailer and 3D modeler, then as a project coordinator at a large pre engineered metal building manufacturer. This experience gives her a strong technical foundation and a clear understanding of how projects come together.
Outside of work, JoAnn enjoys board games, cooking, movie nights, and spending time with her family. She is also a nationally certified emergency responder, reflecting her calm nature and attention to detail.
Matthew Newman joined Coastal Steel Structures in 2018 and has grown alongside the company ever since. He started as an Account Executive, moved into Professional Services Manager overseeing the labor side of the business, and now serves as Building Services Manager. That path gives him a full picture of how projects come together, and he uses that experience to guide clients through every phase of the building process, from early coordination to final details.
Matt is known for keeping projects organized, maintaining quality, and making sure nothing slips through the cracks. His background across multiple departments helps him anticipate challenges and keep things moving smoothly from start to finish.
Outside of work, Matt’s favorite role is being a dad. He loves spending time with his daughter, exploring new places, getting outside, and making memories together. When he’s not doing that, you’ll likely find him fishing or catching a live show. Time on the water, good music, and family help him recharge and stay balanced.
OUR STORY
This kind of company doesn’t happen by accident.
A visionary who sees where things are going. A leader who makes people believe in the work they’re doing. An operator who makes sure nothing falls through. When those three things exist in the same organization — and those people genuinely respect each other — it creates something that’s hard to name and impossible to fake.
The people who work at Coastal feel it. They show up differently here. They care more, solve harder problems, and stay longer than people do at companies where the culture is a slide in a deck rather than something you feel on your first day. That’s not a recruiting line. It’s just what happens when leadership is real.
The buildings are just proof of all of it. We treat every structure like an autograph. We don’t put our name on something we’re not proud of.
Proven Coast to Coast
Let’s Build Together
If you’ve read this far, you have a sense of who we are. We’re a straightforward conversation — no pitch, no pressure, just an honest look at what your project needs and whether we’re the right fit to deliver it.
We usually are.