As was the case for many businesses, our company culture took a hit during the pandemic. Fortunately, we were incredibly intentional about creating a plan that would bring back the vast majority of our original team members. We were eager to rebuild our team, knowing we had gaps to fill. So, over the last six months, we hired several key folks across numerous departments. Here is an introduction to the top talent giving us a leg up in corporate team building.
Pon Bounsone – Account Director
When Pon joined Highway 85 Creative, we knew he was the perfect fit to keep up our commitment of excellent customer service. He has 12+ years of engineering and 7+ years of sales experience, making him the ideal person to manage projects with empathy and proficiency. Pon refers to his 4-year old son, Grayson, as his best friend. They are constantly on the go, fishing, going to the zoo or museums.
Jacob Dean – Craftsman
Highway 85 Creative is built on strong craftsmanship, and Jacob is a master of the trade. Over his 10 years in the industry, Jacob has built custom cabinetry and high-end stage and scenic displays. His mechanical engineering degree gives him a unique perspective about the job at hand. Jacob views a challenging project as a fun project. He and girlfriend Danielle are the game night hosts with the mosts. They have friends over to play D&D, and the latest board games.
John Distelhurst – Jack of All Trades
John has so many areas of expertise, we couldn’t just give him one title. A former business owner himself with a rich background in the exhibit industry as well as signage experience, he’s built some of the biggest and most impressive custom fabrications. John’s wife, Sandy, is the love of his life. They regularly enjoy date nights out on the town and quiet evenings at home.
Brittney Martin – Sales & Marketing Coordinator
We were thrilled for Brittney to join our team. She has experience in sales and marketing, along with customer service, communication, interior design, space planning and more. Brittney’s strategic and thoughtful approach helps propel our team to new levels each day. She’s a Texas transplant and diehard Longhorns fan. Brittney is also our resident Harry Potter expert, reminding us that, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if only one remembers to turn on the light.” #mischiefmanaged
Nicole Matt – Director of Sales & Marketing
Nicole brings more than a decade of experience and enthusiasm to her role at Highway 85 Creative. She leads our sales and marketing teams with creative solutions, high-level strategy and data & insights to produce tangible results. Nicole’s biggest joy is raising her two little boys. Her husband, David, and the busy boys love to hike, run, play at the park and spend time with their horses.
Jordon Tarantino – Detail Engineer
Jordon’s creative approach, skill set and that California surfer style won us over instantly. A highly skilled CAD drafter, he speaks the language of design and detail. If your project requires a quality design on a tight timeline, Jordon is the one who will deliver it. Together, Jordon and his wife Nicolette spend their weekends outdoors. They enjoy dirtbikes, jet skis, and really anything with a motor, along with their companion Bucky.
Please join us in welcoming these talented professionals to the Highway 85 family. We can’t wait for you to experience the difference of working with a team that builds each other – and our clients – up. To learn more about the people behind the magic, visit our About page.
