Our Core Team

---

Dennis served in public education for nearly 20 years as a High School Visual Arts Teacher. As a 1998 graduate of High Point College-University, Smith received his BA degree in Art. Smith attended seven more colleges in search of his master’s degree, including WSSU, UNCC, Gaston College, Savannah State University, Armstrong Atlantic State University/Georgia Southern, Emmanuel Christian School & Covenant Bible College. As a Christian husband, father, pastor, and teacher, Dennis Smith prioritizes honor. The highest honor a person can bestow is to first become the humble but effective steward of the Temple in which he/she lives. Our bodies were created with an assigned purpose as the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Most of us learn late in life that we are first obligated to serve the Lord. Once we become good at first things, we can then be made rulers over many other things. The Lord kept His word and gave Mr. Smith access via dreams and visions to design an algorithm that enhances the efficiency of educational services, particularly in the area of field trip planning. Smith developed a software solution that essentially creates a mobile classroom, equipped with all necessary components to allow a teacher to safely transport a group of students to and from the actual site where learning becomes firsthand and experienceable! Assembling the software first, along with his Core Team members and all the necessary variables, has been the preoccupation for Smith for more than 25 years. As you might imagine, the cost for such an undertaking has been substantial, but perseverance and determination are just two of the many attributes present in Dennis’ daily pursuit of his vision and purpose. Faithfulness accompanies Dennis’ unyielding confidence in each member of his Core Team, and as the visionary leader, Smith accentuates the equitability and uniqueness in the value present in each team member. Dennis Smith truly believes that the same perspective must be present in our technology. If we treat our people like they truly matter, recognizing that they were assigned here by God, and freely give honor where honor is due, how can what we produce perform otherwise? The real way to honor God is to honor His presence in each one of His creations! That is our company’s secret to success!

Wanda Swindell Smith is the wife of Dennis Smith and the First Lady to the Church for the Broken. As a Core Team member for AAT, her main and most important function is being the confidant and sounding board for Dennis. She currently serves as the Employee Relations Manager, where she plays a key role in enhancing educational services. Excellence is her motto, and she exemplifies that in every aspect of her life. Wanda’s passion for helping people and making a difference in everyday life is uncanny and unwavering. Having completed both her associate and bachelor’s degree in business administration from Strayer University (with Summa Cum Laude honors), she has held many positions throughout her career, including Account Executive, Security Supervisor, and System Specialist, to name a few. Her expertise also extends to field trip planning, bringing a wealth of knowledge that will help solidify important aspects of AAT.

One of the primary reasons this company is still thriving today is not just due to the founder himself but primarily because of the diligence, determination, and hard work of Ginnie Watson, his sister. After retiring from Continental Tire, she became the first of the Core Team members who now make up what is known as the AAT Core Team. Ms. Watson has been with Dennis since the very beginning, tirelessly working and providing experience, guidance, and direction. She has been the glue that has kept the ship together and the directional navigation that kept it sailing in the right direction, especially during turbulent and stormy seasons. With firsthand knowledge and understanding of every aspect of company operations and processes, Ms. Watson continues to provide outstanding faith and immeasurable guidance on a daily basis. She firmly believed in the future of AAT since the inception of Quick Quote, which was originally created and designed in Excel. In 2013, Ms. Watson became a Teachers Assistant with the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System, where she spent the next 12 years acquiring and developing even more specialized skills, enhancing her devotion and understanding of the intersection between educational services, field trip planning, and student enrichment. Additionally, Ms. Watson serves faithfully as the Church Administrator for Church for the Broken in Kings Mountain, NC. It is fair to say that during the last 25 years of AAT's emergence, Ms. Watson has proven to be a steadfast and unmovable confidant for AAT and her little brother. She is the sentinel who stayed awake!

Anthony “Tony” Brumse’y brings our Core Team members a focused emphasis on operations, quality, and compliance. As a versatile and diligent operations safety and security officer, Brumse’y is continuously striving to achieve optimal outcomes. “Above and Beyond” is Tony’s personal motto. He was born to be a part of the Art’s ATrip journey, where his diverse yet balanced experiences in community service and economic development extend through his well-documented military leadership, as well as his private and corporate business contributions. Anthony holds a degree in Political Science and Business Management from Elizabeth City State University. As an expert in the Reconnaissance of Success and a decorated (history-making) 21-year Chief Warrant Officer Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, Tony has learned to harness multiple elements while strategically analyzing the utilization of unconventional resources to accomplish the mission. Following a long and storied career marked by intelligent leadership, Brumse’y now shares with the AAT Core Team his insight for maintaining composure during both the best and worst situations. A great leader must also be a learner, so Tony is devoted to constantly gaining knowledge and experiences while exemplifying servant leadership as the President of the Core Team Executive Committee. Though he was never issued the title, Tony earned the title of Art’s ATrip MVP from the very first day he arrived. His daily mission aligns with the company motto, “We Give Back!” and reflects his commitment to providing educational services and field trip planning that enrich the community.

Shana is a proud recipient of The NAACP Image Award of Cleveland County. A native of Carson, California, Shana Robinson began singing at the age of 5 in church. She is the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. James and Carolyn Griggs Robinson. Shana brings to AAT many years of knowledge in the aviation industry as a former customer service agent and now currently a flight attendant for the largest major airline in the world in terms of passengers carried and daily flights! She serves as the Chairperson of Transportation and office manager for Art's A Trip, where she works closely with the Core Team members to enhance our educational services. Shana has dedicated all her spare time to making our office immaculate; as soon as her plane lands, she drives directly to the AAT office. So focused and dutiful is Shana’s contribution to our journey that the Core Team has coined the phrase, “work like a Shana!” Eventually, she will be able to get back to doing all the things she enjoys, such as spending time with family and friends, singing, exercising, nature trails, reading, and painting. Shana is a graduate of Kings Mountain High School, where she won The Kiwanis Talent Show singing How Great Thou Art, which awarded her an A.J. Fletcher Music scholarship to Elizabeth City State University, majoring in Music Education. She has performed The National Anthem for the city of Kings Mountain for over 20 years and has also sung for The Charlotte Knights, The Charlotte Panthers, NFL Veterans Golf Tournament, City of Charlotte Veterans Day Observance, ESPN Bassmasters Tournament, and Central Piedmont Community College during George W. Bush's visit to Charlotte (43rd U.S. President). Additionally, she is a former member of The Oratorio Singers of Charlotte, accompanied by The Charlotte Symphony. Shana's commitment extends beyond her aviation role as she also contributes to field trip planning for educational programs, enriching the experiences we offer.

Marvin Smith Chappell Jr. is a 1976 graduate of Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, SC. He is a dedicated, results-oriented professional with extensive experience in business and accounting. Known for his innovation and problem-solving skills, Marvin is adept at managing projects, collaborating with teams, and effectively achieving organizational goals. As one of the first Core Team members of the AAT, Marvin plays a crucial role in developing company policies and procedures within our pioneering educational services focused on field trip planning. Marvin met Dennis Smith while they were both Automotive Salesmen in Gastonia, NC. Their initial interaction demonstrated that Marvin had the passion and skill set needed to support Smith in launching the Quick Quote software. One of Marvin’s favorite pastimes is League Bowling. As part of the Bowling Center management team, he served for many years as the Customer Service Coordinator. Alongside his wife Kim, Marvin managed the bowling leagues and became a vital part of the bowling community, actively engaging in coaching and youth development. Marvin's expertise spans multiple areas including accounting, finance, inventory, and contract review, making him an integral part of the company. His diverse background includes roles such as shipping manager, offsite warehouse management, automatic transmission shop management, finance officer, and even developing a piece of technology aimed at replacing the traditional strip ledger card system. Additionally, Marvin served as the City Clerk, Treasurer, and Tax Collector for the City of Kings Mountain, where his exceptional performance and leadership led to rapid promotions. Marvin's educational journey includes a degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Cleveland Community College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Committed to community service, Marvin has been named the United Way Secretary and was honored with the prestigious Marvin Paul Harris Fellow award from his local Rotary Club.

With 19 years of experience in education, Jen has dedicated her career to enhancing the learning experience for students through innovative teaching and meaningful educational services, including field trip planning. She has spent three years as a second grade teacher, ten years teaching fifth grade, and six years as a math interventionist for kindergarten through fifth grade students. Throughout these roles, she has collaborated closely with colleagues, who are also Core Team members, to plan impactful lessons and field trips that provide students with firsthand experiences that reinforce and enhance classroom learning. Having served in various teacher leadership roles and participated in curriculum and assessment planning teams, she has a deep understanding of state curriculum standards and their connection to real-world applications. Jen knows how critical planning and attention to detail are when organizing field trips that benefit students academically and socially. Her background in teaching and leadership, along with her logical, critical thinking skills, enable her to effectively bridge the gap between schools and businesses during the field trip planning process. As a parent of three, she also understands the emotional and social growth that field trips provide for children and teens. These experiences foster independence, teamwork, and resilience while providing opportunities for children to engage with the world in significant ways. She recognizes the financial pressures many families face in supporting these experiences, which drives her passion for making field trips accessible for all students. Jen also understands the worry caregivers feel when those they love travel without them and the trust it takes to allow them to participate. She is committed to easing those concerns by ensuring every field trip is well planned, safe, and enriching.

Co-Owner of a prominent security firm and the owner of several successful businesses based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Billy has over 20 years of leadership experience across the Physical Security, Financial Technology, Entertainment, and Automotive Industries. He has held key positions with Fortune 500 companies while also launching and scaling multiple ventures, including educational services aimed at empowering youth. His strategic insight and operational acumen have earned him a reputation as a trusted leader in the security technology sector, known for driving innovation, upholding integrity, and creating long-term impact. A proud native of the Mile High City, Billy is deeply committed to community upliftment. He dedicates time to mentoring youth in Chicago, empowering young men to overcome adversity and pursue meaningful opportunities. As a devoted husband and proud father of three young adults—two of whom are entering their sophomore year of college—he finds joy in both his family’s academic accomplishments and their shared values of excellence and perseverance. Travel is another passion that fuels Billy’s commitment to family and personal growth. As a former AAU basketball and competitive dance team dad, he has spent years supporting his children’s pursuits across the country. He often engages with core team members in various initiatives, including field trip planning, firmly believing in exposing young people to new environments as a way to broaden their horizons and inspire greater possibilities for their future.

Erandika Sandaruwan is an accomplished Senior Technical Lead and Full-Stack Developer with over 14 years of hands-on experience in architecting and developing enterprise-level, cloud-based solutions. Currently, he leads high-performing development teams at SolisTech (PVT) LTD. in Sri Lanka, focusing on educational services that enhance technology skills within his team. His expertise spans NET technologies, Blazor, Azure/AWS cloud platforms, and system optimization. Erandika began his professional journey at Virtusa and advanced through key technical roles, including a significant tenure in Singapore at Integral Solution (Asia) PTE LTD. In addition to his leadership roles, he actively engages with the community as a freelance developer on Upwork, where he holds Top-Rated status and a 100% job success score. With a B.S. Degree (Special Honors) in Information Technology from the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, Erandika is deeply passionate about clean architecture, scalable system design, and emerging technologies like AI, microservices, and modern front-end frameworks. He also contributes to field trip planning for tech enthusiasts, sharing his knowledge through technical blogging and open-source contributions on GitHub.