DIRT HUGGER TEAM

We started with four piles and a shovel in the back yard. Eight years, eight grants, and one Kickstarter campaign later, Dirt Hugger is a nine acre facility that processes over 60,000 tons per year into over 40,000 yards per year of Organic Compost. Our team consists of trained engineers to horticulturists, MBA’s to certified CAT mechanics and everything in between. We have a combined 34 years of composting experience operating in multiple states and facililites. You won’t find a more dedicated or passionate group of soil manufacturers anywhere on the planet.

TYLER MILLER / CO-FOUNDER & BLACK GOLD MINER

Down in the details is where you’ll find Tyler. Whether it’s buried in Autocad designing an aeration manifold or deep in the pumphouse building a new water handling system, Tyler is our resident engineer, designer and builder. As one of the hardest working and most motivated people we know Tyler is happiest when he’s productive. And a compost facility provides plenty of opportunity for that.

PIERCE LOUIS / CO-FOUNDER & SWISS ARMY KNIFE

We aren’t exactly sure what he does around here, but Pierce brings plenty of energy and
enthusiasm to the table. As the Swiss Army Knife, Pierce hops in on about anything loaders, tuners, screeners but tries to find time to focus on accounting/finance, HR, and sales & marketing – that is when he’s not ‘napping or blogging.’

NATE FLEMING / CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

The voice of Dirt Hugger, Nate coordinates customer relations, crunches numbers, and manhandles delivery logistics. Having successfully escaped the God-forsaken tundra of America’s heartland in 2010, Nate finds solace in the hills and appreciates daily the dramatic interaction between the landscape and the weather of the Gorge. When he is not working, look for Nate at the skatepark.

DAVE NEUMAN/ LEAD CRESCENT WRENCH

Dave was picked up from an outfit out of the Willamette Valley where he fixed and maintained over 400 pieces of heavy farm equipment. With 3 decades of experience under his belt, Dave is a living legend. Though, he humbly describes himself as a “jack of all trades and master of none.”

BLANE MERSEREAU / SOIL SOMMILIER

New to the world of compost, but a veteran of hard work, operator virtuoso, Blane offers both fresh ideas and experience to keep the Dirt Hugger screen plant running smoothly. His job is critical to product quality and consistency. When Blane isn’t screening, he’s shredding a Stratocaster.

TAYLOR ALSHEIMER / PROFESSOR EMETERIUS

Dirt Hugger's first paid employee and long lived spirit of the company. He has moved on to teaching at the local high school, but still comes out on spring break to show us a thing or two.

CHRIS BARRETT / JUNIOR WRENCH

Equipment repairs at Dirt Hugger are a lot like the dishes; they don’t stop. As soon as you’re finished, they start piling up again. Chris was hired on to alleviate this pressure, helping our lead mechanic handle the never ending stream of repairs.

When not wrenching on broken dirt turners, Chris is at home wrenching on broken dirt bikes or riding them out in the Oregon Desert.

GAVIN SCHMIDT / BLACK GOLD BANDIT

Working his way up the Dirt Hugger ranks, Gavin started out as a contamination picker and now finds himself manning the helm of a windrow turner. Additionally, Gavin is taking a lead on designing and implementing the landscape at the Dirt Hugger site. Gavin recently received a BS in Horticulture at OSU. His bag of knowledge has proven useful at Dirt Hugger where Gavin performs many of the necessary compost sample tests. Needless to say, the realm of compost is right up Gavin’s alley–he spends his free time working on sustainable gardening and permaculture site design projects.

DONNIE COTTERELL / PRO - DRIVER

"Down the Road Donnie" is seen early mornings and late nights at the helm of our fleet of iron horses. If there's a rig around, Donnie's driven it. Always out there with a smile and a kick in his step Donnie makes sure every load gets where it needs to go safely and kindly.

KEVIN “K2” HUNTER / POWER OPERATOR

K2 is a critical member of the Dirt Hugger team. When a brush load comes in, he shreds it. When cherry sludge is dumped, he’s on it—ensuring a proper compost mix. At work and at home, he is a man with a mission. Not many people can truthfully call themselves, a powerlifter, author, motivational speaker, carpenter, punk rock drummer, and Dirt Hugger front end operator; K2 can.

BRIAN OGLESBAY / CATCH ALL

Visit the Dirt Hugger site and you will likely find Brian head down in some sort of mind-boggling project. As the on site Dirt Hugger project master, Brian does everything from fusing pipes and pulling wire to fixing equipment and improving outbuildings. Take a look at his “to-do list”, and you wouldn’t have a clue where to start.

JOE VOODRE / LEAD GROUNDSKEEPER

Joe joined the Dirt Hugger team in 2018 as a contamination picker. His willingness to step in when and where help is most needed at the Dirt Hugger site has swiftly jettisoned him up the ranks. On any given day, you may find Joe street sweeping, keeping dust down with the water truck, wrenching on a turner, and loading out retail customers.

Joe also runs the Dirt Hugger bagging plant, hence the nickname “Joe Joe Baggins”.

JUSTIN SMITH / SPECIAL PROJECTS OPERATIVE

When a broken pump needs replacing, a sludgy ponds needs cleaning, or an aeration pad needs building, Justin is the go to guy. With a positive attitude and a certain coolness from his Belizian upbringing, Justin is a perfect team fit. Oh, he rips on the snowboard too.