About Us
Tour Hilltop Marine
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 Hulett, Beth, Haley and Abbey – David’s strong sense of family extends to employees and customers alike. 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 Direct0r)
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 7 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. Mike and Lesa both enjoy the outdoors and camping too.
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!”
Greg Abbott (Technician)
Greg loves working on boats and is excited to come to work every morning.
Greg says, “Working on boats is just something I do. 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 fifteen 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.”
Jim Harnist (Technician)
Jim has been scouting out Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow for the past 12 years. He even went as far as purchasing some land years ago in the area. Finally he made his move from Cleveland and came to work for our family at Hilltop Marine. He has been in the boating business since 1971 and he has seen a lot. He says, “There is always something new in this business. It is never boring.”
His years of experience has taught him many ways to work on a boat and his years have gained him many certifications. Among Jim’s certifications are Mercruiser, Volvo, Volvo Diesel, Volvo IPS, Kohler, Westerbeake, RayMarine, AC and refrigeration.
He has been married to a wonderful lady named Karen for 30 yrs. They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. His favorite hobbies include boating, camping and gardening.
Bill Garner (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.
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 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.”