Get to know our incoming drivers and office/shop team! If you see them around, be sure to say hi and welcome them to Nussbaum!
New Hire Drivers
Luke Deffenbaugh
Domicile: Normal, IL
Luke Deffenbaugh came to trucking because his employer asked him to get his CDL, and ten years later, he’s still going strong. Before the road, Luke worked in factory shipping and receiving, so he already understood the logistics world before ever climbing into a cab. When he’s home, Luke loves spending time with his girlfriend and his Chocolate Lab, Willow, often heading out for hikes or out on the water kayaking together. His go-to road snack is sunflower seeds. His dream trip is exploring Europe, and he has bigger ambitions on the horizon — Luke wants to own his own trucking company one day. Welcome aboard, Luke!
Most Interesting Load Hauled: A large sign for The Pasture Church in Hudson
Dream Vacation: Explore Europe
Micah Miles
Domicile: Springdale, AR
Micah Miles is six months into her trucking career, drawn to the industry through the friendships she built with drivers who showed her firsthand how rewarding the job can be. Before taking the wheel, Micah worked in hospitality — a background built on service and connection that translates well to life on the road. Away from work, she’s an outdoorswoman at heart: she loves hiking, gardening, and caring for animals. Her go-to on the road is a cup of coffee, and she’d love to tour Europe someday. Welcome aboard, Micah!
Dream Vacation: Tour Europe
Benjamin “Ben” Conklin
Domicile: Worthington, OH
Benjamin Conklin — who goes by Ben — made a bold career pivot to trucking six months ago after 20 years of pouring and finishing residential concrete. It was hard, skilled work, but Ben was looking for better opportunities — and trucking delivered. When he’s not on the road, Ben cherishes time with his family, enjoys fishing, and loves visiting theme parks. He’s also a man of many hobbies: an avid video gamer and oil painter who brings that same patience and eye for detail from concrete work to canvas. His favorite road snack is Sweet Chili Doritos, and his dream trip is the ultimate American adventure — a road trip around the entire Continental United States. Welcome aboard, Ben!
Most Interesting Load Hauled: Large roll of coiled steel
Dream Vacation: Road trip around the entire Continental United States
Rehire – Driver
Anthony “Tony” Simington
Domicile: Alsip, IL
Anthony Simington — who goes by Tony — brings a full 22 years of road experience to Nussbaum. The draw to trucking was simple: independence. Tony is someone who works best on his own terms, and the open road delivers exactly that. Before trucking, he managed a tire shop, giving him a solid mechanical foundation that comes in handy behind the wheel. Off duty, Tony lives his motorsport passion — spending time at local race tracks and dreaming of one day conquering the legendary Nürburgring in Germany. On the road, he keeps it dialed in with coffee. Welcome aboard, Tony!
Most Interesting Load Hauled: Swinging meat. I had to treat it like a liquid load because the meat would move even after I stopped.
Dream Vacation: The Nürburgring racetrack in Germany
New Hire – Office
Damaris Kilgus
Accounting Specialist
We are thrilled to share that Damaris Kilgus has accepted the positions for Accounting Specialist and she will be starting with Nussbaum on 6/22/2026. Damaris has spent the last year working at All Trades Service where she worked in the office with Billing and reconciling as well as well as getting out and maintaining property! We look forward to bringing her onto the Nussbaum team!
Talon Clausen
Fleet Planner
We are excited to welcome Talon Clausen to Nussbaum. Talon’s first day will be 6/22/2026. Talon went to ISU where he graduated in 2023. Since then he has been working for Ledgestone out of Washington, IL in their customer service and operations setting with their warehouse, inventory, and customers. Outside of work, Talon loves playing disc golf. We look forward to adding him to our team.
