LIFELINE

S PA N S O F S E R V I C E
John Gibson, Supervisor,
Region 460 – 20 Years
John has been a presence on Ameren Electric Power property for over 30 years.
“When I first started with Nelson Tree in 1987,” recounts John, “I was putting
crews together during the evenings to get Nelson’s distribution operations
up and running. That’s actually how I spent one of my wedding anniversaries!”
John hired on as an assistant general foreman then moved up to general
foreman. In 1995, he was promoted to supervisor. Presently, John supervises
48 transmission crews throughout Ohio and a portion of West Virginia.
Despite working on his anniversary, John and his wife, Marlene, have been
married for 30 years. They have a daughter, Angie, and a two-year-old
grandson, Connor.
“Our daughter recently
built a house on our
40-acre farm near
Zanesville, Ohio,” says
John. “And my wife and
I sold our home and
are building a home on
the property as well.”
John and Marlene are
bouncing between living
with their daughter
and Marlene’s parents
while waiting for their
new home to be
completed.
John and his grandson, Connor, spending a little
quality time together
“We must have been getting bored and needed to shake things up a bit,”
laughs John. “I’m 56-years-old and homeless!”
All kidding aside, John claims it will all be worth it when they are able to
be close to Angie and Connor, who John cites as his most special interest.
Along with spending time with Connor, John gets together with his brothers
and hunts for deer on his farm.
Jeff Jones, Executive Vice President
of Operations – 20 Years
Jeff began working for Nelson Tree in 1987 as our treasurer. In 2002, he
was promoted to Vice President of Operations. In this capacity, Jeff is
responsible for ensuring that employees are working safely. He also interacts
with
pans
customers and assists regional managers with obtaining and retaining
business, as well as maximizing profitability.
When he’s not on the Nelson Tree clock, Jeff enjoys outdoor activities, especially
hiking, running and biking. He and his wife, Debbie, have five children,
ranging in age from 20 to 28.
They recently welcomed a new addition to the family: their first grandchild,
Anthony James Brown, who was born just after Thanksgiving of last year!
John Kellar and his daughters, Taylor (seated with Dad), and Tiffany, and wife,
Patricia (far right)
John Kellar, Supervisor, Region
463 – 15 Years
John started with Nelson Tree Service working as a groundsman on First
Energy property, under the direction of area manager, Doug Shaffer.
“I was working in the lumber business purchasing timber when we began to
slow down and it looked as if I was going to be laid off. My brother-in-law,
John Bell, was working for Nelson (and still does) at the time,” recalls John.
“He told me that if I liked being outdoors and was into timber I should give
Nelson a try, so I did.”
John worked his way up to top trimmer and then to crewleader. After several
years, Greg Urick approached John and asked if he would be interested in
working as a job planner.
“I accepted Greg’s offer and worked as a job planner until I was promoted
to general foreman,” states John.
John oversaw crews working on First Energy property in Salem, Ohio, until 2002.
“In 2002, supervisor, Chris Potter, informed me that a supervisor position
was available in New Jersey and asked if I would be interested,” reflects
John. “I decided to go for it and went out to meet with area manager, Kip
Erickson, and regional manager, Bob Turner.”
John received the promotion and transferred to Jersey Central Power & Light
property where he currently supervises 45 crews.
John lives with his family in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. He and
his wife, Patricia, have been married for 17 years. They have a 15-year-old
daughter, Tiffany, and a three-year-old daughter, Taylor. In his free time, John
enjoys camping, hunting and riding his Harley-Davidson.
“The whole family loves to camp,” shares John. “Whenever there is an opportunity,
we hop in the camper and head out. Since we live right in the
mountains, we don’t have to travel too far from home to get away, usually
just two or three hours.”
John also takes time out for deer hunting and is often accompanied by his
oldest daughter, Tiffany.
“Tiffany got her first deer last year,” boasts John. “It was one of the biggest
excitements of the year for me! I field dressed this one for her, but she’ll do
the next one herself. I’m teaching her the same way my dad taught me.”
Both John and Patricia enjoy riding John’s Fat Boy Harley Davidson. In the
winter months, the whole family can be found snow skiing one of the many
ski resorts near their home.
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