Meet Our People | The GEL Group

The GEL Group is a people-driven company fueled by a passion for top-notch quality and unbeatable value. Our leadership is on a mission to deliver exceptional service to our valued clients while crafting a work environment that is dynamic and supportive of our team of professionals.

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

James M. Stelling

Chairman, The GEL Group, Inc.

Jim Stelling is a 1972 graduate of the University of Virginia with an extensive background in service-based construction engineering. After joining GEL in 1995, Jim and his wife Kathy purchased a controlling interest in 2001 and took full ownership in 2014.

Jim serves on several Corporate and non-profit Boards in the Charleston community. He was formerly the Chairman of Harbor National Bank and has served on the Board of Directors of Charleston Rotary Club, Roper Hospital, Trident Chamber of Commerce, Water Missions International, and other non-profit organizations, and civic groups. Jim and his wife Kathy reside in Charleston, SC, and have one adult daughter, Kathleen. Jim’s hobbies are golf and hunting.

Laurie S. Herrington, CPA, CFE

Chief Financial Officer, The GEL Group, Inc.

Laurie Herrington is a graduate of the College of Charleston with over 25 years of accounting, tax, auditing, and business consulting experience. In addition to her work at GEL, Laurie has served as a Board Member of the St. Paul’s Parish Exchange Club, on the Finance and Public Parish Relations Committee for Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, and as a Founder and Board Member of Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. She is currently a member of the Charleston CFO Council. Laurie and her husband Buster live in Meggett, SC, and have one son, Van. During her spare time, Laurie enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, and reading.

J. Derek Bradner, P.E., PLS

Director of GEL Solutions, LLC

J. Derek Bradner holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from NC State University and has over 35 years of engineering and surveying experience with extensive work in the transportation industry. After joining GEL in 2018, he became Director of GEL Solutions in 2021. In addition to his work at GEL, Derek recently completed a 10-year term on North Carolina A&T University’s Geomatics Department’s Advisory Board. The NC A&T Geomatics Program is the only four-year degree program of its kind in the state of North Carolina. Derek and his wife Grace have three children, John, Evan, and Alannah. In his spare time, Derek enjoys spending time with his family, attending NC State sporting events, and being outdoors.

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