FABRICATOR PROFILE
ASST Goes Above and Beyond Inova Loudon Hospital in Leesburg, Va., featuring Corian Cameo White and Formica Cherry. As with any large project, there are many trades working simultaneously. ASST relies on project managers to keep things moving through what can be everchanging circumstances.
Like all great success stories, it starts with
sculpture from the University of Pennsylvania)
an idea, a spark of something promising.
and millwork manufacturing. Capable of
Such an opportunity unfolded for Russ Berry,
understanding the complex array of components
president and founder of ASST Beyond Surface
that contribute to success, Berry attracts talent
Level Solutions. In the 1990s, he was serving as
with can-do attitudes, inspires a culture of
executive vice president for Allegheny Millwork.
accountability and innovation, and commits the
With his foresight and leadership, Allegheny
ASST team to go above and beyond to meet the
diversified their custom business and eventually
needs of their customers.
Berry partnered with them and started ASST in
Berry champions the company’s core values
1998. Opportunity knocked, and Berry opened
as the root of their success. “Our values are what
the door to what is now two facilities, over 50
bond us together: integrity, customer focus,
employees and a remarkable project portfolio that
innovation and perseverance,” he said. It’s the
spans nationwide.
enthusiasm they have to work as a team that builds
“I was lucky to work with some folks who believed in me, and believed in what we could accomplish together,” said Berry. “They allowed
a strong foundation upon which all areas of the business flourish. Now over 20 years later, that business has
me to come up with a business plan to start a
grown to an award-winning fabrication and
business … It was a gift.”
manufacturing outfit spanning several markets
Berry uses his unique blend of proven experience in fine arts (he has an MFA in 34 • Vol. 14 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association
including education, retail, corporate and public spaces with a specialization in complex surface