Get to know our incoming drivers and shop hires! If you see them around, be sure to say hi and welcome them to Nussbaum!
New Hire Drivers
Dennis Hartley
Domicile: Dunlap, TN
Dennis is a new driver, retrained into trucking through a veteran rehabilitation program. Before that, he worked as a plumber. He enjoys fishing, four-wheeling on his ATV, and hunting. Chocolate is his road snack of choice. He hasn’t hauled a load yet, but he’s towed his own 41-foot fifth wheel over 13,000 miles. Thank you for your service, Dennis — welcome to the team!
Most Interesting Load Hauled: Just getting started
Dream Vacation: Riding in the mountains
Shelby Daves
Domicile: Greenwood, IN
Shelby is a newer driver with about 6 months on the road. She’s always wanted to get her CDL, and before trucking she worked in a warehouse. She enjoys relaxing and catching up with friends and family. Cheez-Its are her road snack of choice. As Shelby puts it, “Ask me anything.” Welcome, Shelby!
Most Interesting Load Hauled: Soon to come!
Dream Vacation: Bora Bora
Kristofer “Kris” Hamlet
Domicile: Commerce City, CO
Kris brings 10 years of driving experience to the team. The independence and the pay drew him to trucking, and before that he worked as a school bus driver trainer. He enjoys outdoor activities. Sun Chips are his road snack of choice. Welcome, Kris!
Most Interesting Load Hauled: A road grader
Dream Vacation: A cruise around the world
Richard “Rick” Tharpe
Domicile: DROUNI
Rick brings an impressive 15 years of driving experience to the team — he’s been behind the wheel since 2011. Trucking runs in his family, and before trucking he served in the US Army. He spends time with family and his music, along with many other hobbies. BBQ chips are his road snack of choice. As Rick describes himself, he’s a musician who loves to laugh and has lots of funny quirks. Thank you for your service, Rick — welcome to the team!
Most Interesting Load Hauled: A flatbed Supreme load out of Indiana
Dream Vacation: A log cabin in the mountains, with nature and amazing views
Pedro Alfonso Beltran
Domicile: Inman, SC
Pedro is a newer driver with about 6 months on the road, driving flatbed. The family business is what got him into trucking, and before that he worked as a forklift operator. He likes to cook, watch sports and movies, and game. Gummy worms, or any kind of jelly candy, are his road snack of choice. As Pedro describes himself, he’s a pretty simple, straightforward person who enjoys time with his family and friends. Welcome, Pedro!
Most Interesting Load Hauled: Marble from Texas, and an industrial A/C unit of some kind
Dream Vacation: Japan — a couple of weeks traveling coast to coast, trying all the food and driving JDM cars
New Shop Hire
Kellan Neal
Trailer Tech Intern
Kellan is a senior at Olympia High School and is in his second year of the HERO (Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation) program at Bloomington Career Academy. There he’s gained hands-on experience resealing hydraulic components and repairing hydraulic lines, working on heavy equipment, along with exposure to engine work. His instructor has also asked him to help mentor students entering the program. Outside of school, Kellan has experience running heavy equipment and is often the guy neighbors call to fix their generators, pressure washers, and mowers. Welcome, Kellan!
