Hilltop History

 

Hilltop Marine traces its roots back 23 years on Lake Cumberland. Bob and Joanne Hess developed a well-respected service and storage business on the lake during the first 16 years under the name of Stor-A-boat. When Bob and Joanne sold the business in 2001 to concentrate on marine transportation and semi-retirement, Stor-A-Boat became Hilltop Marine.

 

 

Meet the Staff

 

David Hulett (General Manager)

David loves building businesses and he loves boats. What better way to combine the two passions than to build a boat business?

One of the wonderful things for David is his relationships with the employees. The Hilltop employees are like family and his life has been enriched by the experience.

David has been married to a beautiful lady named Beth, for seventeen years. Since Beth home schools their two wonderful daughters, Haley and Abbey, they have the opportunity to spend time working at the dealership.

Balto, the Hulett’s German shepherd, rounds out the family and he also gets to spend time at Hilltop Marine.

The Huletts live in Lexington and they love their time in Somerset. They love the town, the people and the business.

 

Mike Kaiser (Service and Parts Manager)

Mike says, “It is great to work for a company who treat their staff and customers just like family.” Mike has been in the boating industry for over 25 years. He says that he has seen it all, and nothing surprises him anymore when it comes to boats.

Mike is proud to be a part of such a well-recognized dealership, and intends to do everything he can to insure Hilltop Marine’s good name. He is also proud to be a member of a facility where the staff actually is proud of their responsibilities at Hilltop Marine.

Mike and Lesa have been married for 6 years, and he has 2 adult children, and 1 grandchild living in south Florida. He was born in the UP of Michigan and has traveled and lived in many states while serving in the boating industry. Most recently, Mike and Lesa moved to Kentucky from Arkansas to be a part of the Hilltop Marine family.

His interests, of course, include boating, but his passion is fishing and his Harley.

 

Christi Crouch (Office Manager)

"I feel like the cheerleader here at Hilltop, a lot of the time," she says, "My job is to make each one of my customers smile & let them know that the employees here at Hilltop Marine have enough confidence to take care of their every need."

When customers come in they don't know it, but they've joined a family of boaters. Christi doesn't want them to feel like they have come here just to buy or have a boat serviced, but to being seeing family and friends.

Christi has been married for three years, to Tim and they have a bright and brilliant 17-year-old son named Scott.

"It’s important for Scott to know that I make a difference at my job," says Christi, "I want to set a good example for him and, hopefully, he will enjoy the career he chooses as much as I enjoy my career at Hilltop.

Christi was born in Michigan says her heart belongs in Kentucky! "My job is the best thing that has happened to me in a very long time," she says, "I couldn’t see myself anywhere else at this particular chapter in my life. I am proud to be a part of this family. I love my co-workers and our customers."

Everyone agrees that Christi has the most infectious smile; one that lights up the entire room.

 

Kyle Damron (Salesman)

"Being able to work with a group of people that are like an extension of my family has had a positive effect on my life," says Kyle, "I've met a lot of great people and had a chance to go to places I wouldn't have normally had a chance to visit."

When asked why he works at Hilltop Marine, he jokes and says "Because I'm a glutton for punishment!"

Kyle works a lot of long days, but really likes working with the staff & the products he sells. He wants customers to feel welcome & relaxed as they visit Hilltop and for them to realize that this is a fun atmosphere; not so serious, just fun!

Kyle has been married to Megan for three years. Born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Kyle has lived in Kentucky for about four years. Two of those years Megan and Kyle lived on a houseboat! Kyle has been in the boating industry for seven years and boats are his passion.

Kyle is very methodical and someone whom our customers love to have helping them.

 

Kevin Jeffers (Fiberglass Repair)

Kevin says he wouldn’t be doing anything else other than working here at Hilltop Marine. He feels that he is working with the best group of people he could possibly find.

Kevin has lived in Somerset KY all of his life and has been in the marine industry for three years. Kevin works magic in the fiberglass shop and customers are amazed at the quality of his work.

"Kevin is quiet," says David Hulett, "He runs our fiberglass repair center, doesn’t say much, and just works wonders. He may not say much, but his work says volumes!"

 

Ralph Gilliam (Technician)

Ralph really likes his fellow employees at Hilltop Marine. "They are a great group of people," he says.

Ralph has been married since 1988 and has a daughter named Haley. He has lived in Somerset since he was five years old and has been in the marine industry for thirteen years. Ralph, who is a perfectionist, takes a tremendous amount of pride in his work on the boats.

David says, "Ralph takes tools home at night. We don’t know what he does with them and we don't ask!"

 

Alan Mayfield (Technician)

Alan says, "The working environment at Hilltop Marine is great and so are the people. David Hulett has had such a positive effect on my life, on a very personal level. The people are why I love coming to work at Hilltop Marine, every day."

Alan loves joking around and thinks the employees have a good balance between work and play.

Alan's goal is to have each customer feel like they are the most important person. "We want to make them feel like we’ve known them all of their lives," he says.

Alan has been married to Debbie for thirty one years and together, they have three children. The oldest is thirty & the youngest is eighteen. Alan has been in the marine industry for 5 years.

"Don't tell anyone," says David, "Alan is the most fun person to pick on, because he's got a great sense of humor!"

 

Greg Abbott (Technician)

Greg loves working on boats and is excited to come to work every morning.

"Working on boats is just something I do," he says, "It's a part of me, like my arm or my leg. I can't imagine doing anything else."

What he says is true, because it shows in the great work he does.

Greg has been married for thirteen years to Kim and toegether they have two children. He was born in Muncie, Indiana, but has lived in Kentucky most of his life. He has twenty seven years of experience in the marine industry.

"The employees at Hilltop are great," he says.

When asked to characterize Greg, David Hulett said, "Greg does more and says less than anyone here."

 

Bill Gardner (Technician)

“The crew is great,” are Bill’s exact words.

He has been working at Hilltop Marine since January 2008 and as the newest member of the service team. He says that he was born in Virginia as John William Gardner II, but raised in Nancy very near the Lee’s Ford Marina. Because of this he calls himself, “a Lee’s Ford kid,” jokingly, and this was the beginning of his interest in boats.

When he is not at Hilltop Marine he enjoys several other activities including playing volleyball and collecting Star Wars memorabilia. Another interest for Bill is his girlfriend. Although he says he is a “confirmed bachelor,” he hints occasionally that he’s been snagged.

 

Dennis Lang (Technician)

Dennis wants the customers that come to Hilltop Marine to feel like they've been here before. He loves making a living working on boats and serving the customers. He says the fellow employees are great to work with and all are very pleasant and smart.

"They all know their business," he says.

Dennis has been married for fifteen years to Sheila. Together, they have a total of seven children. Dennis was born in Cincinnati, Ohio but has lived in Kentucky since 1964. He has been in the marine industry since 1993 and has plenty of time on the road, rigging and delivering houseboats.

"Dennis is a 'Yes Sir, No Sir' kind of a guy," says David Hulett, "You tell him what to do and he does it."

 

Angie Nelson (Accountant)

Angie has a life-time worth of accounting and bookkeeping experience. While her roots are in the Somerset area, she lived in Lexington for the past 30 years, returning to Somerset just last year. She brings years of experience in accounting, management and organizational skills.

"Being able to multi-task is a benefit, working here," she says.

Angie is capable of wearing many hats. "She took some crash courses in our software packages for accounting, sales and service and didn't miss a beat," says David.

Angie helps out wherever she's needed. You might find her in the office, on the phone, in the part department or in the service department.

Angie is married, has three grown children and three grandchildren. Angie doesn't own a boat. Her passion is a thrill of a different nature - drag car races, where she sits behind the wheel on weekends, jumping from 0 to 'who knows what', faster than you can say, "Jack Robinson"! Angie also donates time to the Military Mothers in the Lake Cumberland area.

Angie is proud to be a part of the Hilltop Family and welcomes the opportunity to put Hilltop on “top” of the boating business!

"Angie is our drag-racing book worm," says David, "As our accountant, everything runs through her."