Duval & ATS Recognize Workers
BY Molly Berry
Duval and ATS showcases positive workforce development through encouraging the use of EAPs
Without the workers who perform each project, a company simply can’t exist. The leadership teams at Duval Asphalt Products, Inc. (Duval Asphalt) and Asphalt Testing Solutions & Engineering (ATS), headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, not only understand this basic tenet but make it a priority to show their workers how much they’re valued day in and day out. Through comprehensive benefits, intentional education, and an annual family-centered celebration, the companies make it clear that employees and their families are at the heart of their success.
This commitment was on full display on Nov. 8, 2025, when approximately 350 employees and family members gathered for the second annual Duval Asphalt & ATS Family Fun Day + Wellness Fair. Designed to be both meaningful and enjoyable, the event combined entertainment with opportunities to learn about insurance options, explore wellness resources, and participate in biometric screenings. For many employees, it was one of the first times they were able to engage with their benefits in a relaxed, supportive environment.
Approximately 350 employees and family members gathered for games, prizes, food, wellness and togetherness.
“It’s always great to be able to engage with coworkers outside of work while having fun, but what makes this event especially valuable to me is the purpose behind it,” said Renee Gordon, ATS Binder Lab Technician. “Having Brown & Brown there in person provided a personalized approach that gave us direct access to experts who could clearly explain the resources available to us.”
This event was fueled by a real need. Leadership discovered that many employees were intimidated by insurance plans and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Most didn’t take the time to explore the resources, and as a result, the EAP remained one of the company’s most underutilized benefits. At the same time, data showed that employees aged 50 and older were generating the highest claims—many of which might have been prevented with routine wellness visits. Younger employees were also under-enrolled in the plan. Something needed to change.
It’s not every day that you get to hold a kangaroo. As part of the festivities, Tickled Pink Petting Zoo brought exotic animals to the Jacksonville property for families to interact with.
With clear goals in mind, the team set out to create a Wellness Fair that employees would want to attend. That meant making the event fun, family-friendly, and exciting. To start, the company launched a month-long educational initiative.
“We knew we had to take a more proactive, interactive approach to educate our workforce and their families on these programs,” explained Mitchell Gant, Duval Asphalt and ATS Vice President. “So, we met employees where they were—at their shops, their job sites, and their break rooms.”
Following an initial campaign that included flyers, text messages, and emails to bring awareness to the benefits of insurance and the EAP, ambassadors visited every part of the operation to help employees understand their options and enroll for the biometric screening at the upcoming Wellness Fair.
Approximately 350 employees and family members gathered for games, prizes, food, wellness and togetherness.
The team also brought employees together in an offsite conference center for a candid conversation with program carriers followed by an open Q&A session. Held one week before the inaugural Family Fun Day + Wellness Fair, this meeting helped employees understand not only their benefits but also the purpose behind the upcoming event. It was a collaborative effort involving staff from across the organization, “all pulling the rope in the same direction,” as Gant described it.
What began as a simple wellness initiative quickly blossomed into a full-scale celebration featuring a petting zoo, bounce houses, massage chairs, a master barber, face painting, balloon animals, food trucks, a DJ, and photo booth. Every employee who completed a health screening at the event received a $50 gift card, and the company raffled off over $5,000 in prizes.
Tylor Trotter of Believer Barber, Jacksonville, was one of the vendors invited to participate and provide services to Family Fun Day attendees who wished to partake.
“Duval Asphalt’s Family Fun Day + Wellness Fair was an incredible celebration of community, wellness, and togetherness,” said Dylan Page, Duval Asphalt Plant Foreman. “It brought everyone closer and reminded us of the importance of taking care of ourselves and each other. I loved being able to bring my family to the place where I work and spend the day with other families. Watching my kids run around, play, and enjoy all the activities with other kids really showed the heart of Duval Asphalt and ATS.”
The inaugural event happened in November 2024, and in 2025, even more vendors and activities were added. Turnout increased by almost 100 additional attendees, and benefits enrollment increased by approximately 24% over the past two years, confirming that this strategy worked.
“Our recent Family Day was an incredible experience,” said David Cook, Duval Asphalt Plant Loader Operator. “Between the fun of the bounce houses, the excitement of the prizes, and the casual laughs with family in our off time, the energy was fantastic. And I can’t forget the amazing exotic animal petting zoo; it was a huge hit. The whole day reinforced the strong sense of morale and camaraderie we share at Duval Asphalt and ATS, and it made me feel truly appreciated. I’m genuinely grateful to work for a company that values its employees and goes out of its way to include our families in such a thoughtful and fun event. Plus, the food was great. The second Family Day was a hit, and we’re already looking forward to the third.”
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“Our employees at Duval Asphalt and ATS are the heart of everything we do,” said Gant. “Creating opportunities like our Family Fun Day isn’t just about benefits; it’s about making sure our team feels valued, supported, and connected. When employees know we’re invested in their well-being, it strengthens our entire organization.”
In the end, the initiative accomplished far more than the initial goals of increasing participation in wellness programs and boosting insurance engagement. It brought employees and their families together outside of work, helping them see one another in a new light. It built camaraderie, deepened personal connections, and gave employees a sense of appreciation. “It let them know we are all in this together,” said Gant.