Meet the Team
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Donald Pleasants
FOUNDER
Donald Pleasants, Founder & Chairman of the Board, will be moving into a retirement role. Donald has spent over 40 years building teams in our industry to take care of the men and women that take care of all of us in our time of emergency. Donald will still be involved on the business side and you all will still see him at conferences, as he’s not quite ready to completely hang up his hat. We are hopeful that Donald will take some time to relax and spend time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. His move to retirement is well deserved!
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Nikki Pleasants-Mullen
CEO
As the daughter of the Founder, Donald Pleasants, Nikki has been valuable to SSV since the beginning serving as the CEO for Southeastern Specialty Vehicles since 2021. Preferring to remain behind the scenes, Nikki provides strategic guidance and support on key executive decisions. Her understated yet impactful leadership helps steer the company’s success while maintaining a calm and influential presence. In her time off, she enjoys spending time on her farm with her daughters, Laney & Emma, and her husband Mann.
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April Phelps
PRESIDENT
April was born and raised in Henderson, NC, where Southeastern Specialty Vehicles is located. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Justin, and they have two children, Michaela and Jay. April has been an integral part of Southeastern Specialty Vehicles for 18 years, initially focusing on inventory before moving into overseeing business operations in 2019. In May 2021, she was promoted to Vice President of Business Operations. April is well-versed in all aspects of the company’s day-to-day operations and has proven to be a leader among her team. She is excited to continue advancing SSV with Vice President Robert Daugherty, aiming to take the company to the next level in emergency vehicles.
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Robert Daugherty
VICE PRESIDENT
Robert is a volunteer fire chief at Scuffleton Rural Fire Association, located in Greene County, NC. The year of 2023 makes his 35th year volunteering with fire/EMS. He is a certified North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician, a certified North Carolina Law Enforcement Instructor as he spent 23 years in law enforcement in NC prior to getting into the ambulance business. He looks forward to expanding Southeastern Specialty Vehicles alongside President, April Phelps.
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Emily Harris
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Emily is committed to enhancing Southeastern Specialty Vehicles' marketing presence on social media. Her goals include sharing engaging updates, promotions, and contests to connect with our audience and keep you informed about the latest developments. Follow our social media channels to stay updated and participate in our exciting offerings!
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Dennis Tingen
DIRECTOR OF SALES | EMS DIVISION
Dennis oversees our house accounts and strives to satisfy our existing and potential clients. Dennis’ goals for Southeastern Specialty Vehicles in the future is to see the expansion over the years to come and continue to work in our family/team atmosphere to provide the best service possible!
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Neal Craig
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER | EMS
Neal has been a dedicated professional in South Carolina EMS since 1984, starting as an EMT in 1985 and becoming a Paramedic in 1987. He transitioned to ambulance sales in 1998 and has been committed to exceeding customer expectations ever since. Neal's passion for delivering exceptional service has made him an invaluable part of our team. He has been happily married to his wife, Pam, for 31 years, and they share their home with numerous beloved fur babies.
Territory: South Carolina and Western North Carolina
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Alan Parnell | EMS
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER
Alan began his career in emergency services as a Cadet with Kenly Rescue in 1984. Certified as an EMT on his 18th birthday and as a Paramedic in 1990, he dedicated over three decades to Wilson County EMS, retiring as Assistant Director in 2024. Alan briefly left EMS from 1999 to 2005 to focus on starting a family. He has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 31 years and has two adult children and two rescue dogs. Alan's career exemplifies his lifelong commitment to serving the community.
Territory: Central & Eastern North Carolina
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Jim Dunn
DIRECTOR OF SALES | FIRE DIVISION
Jim brings over 40 years of experience in the fire service as both a firefighter and EMT. With an extensive background in sales and manufacturing of fire apparatus and emergency vehicles, Jim has held numerous leadership roles and is passionately committed to the fire service. A native of Goochland County, Virginia, he resides in Mechanicsville with his wife Kathy, where they enjoy spending time with their three children, two grandchildren, and two beloved pups.
Territory: Virginia
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David Lancaster | Fire Division
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER
David is a 1986 graduate of Eastern Wayne High School and has been a dedicated member of the New Hope Fire Department in Wayne County for 41 years, currently serving as the Assistant Fire Chief. He has also worked as a Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator in Greene County and as a Fire Inspector in Goldsboro and Wayne County. With experience in fire equipment and apparatus sales, David is certified as an NC EMT, Firefighter, Driver Operator, and Emergency Fire and EMS dispatcher. A member of Bethel Fellowship Church, he enjoys farming, fishing, and spending time with his children—Nick, Jeremy, Zach Lancaster, and stepson Trey Flanagan—and his K9 companions: River, Waldo, and Nozzle.
Territories: North Carolina, South Carolina
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David Loving | Fire Division
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER
David Loving brings a wealth of industry expertise and commitment to excellence to his role as Senior Sales Manager at Southeastern Specialty Vehicles (SSV). With years of experience in the specialty vehicle market, David has developed a deep understanding of client needs and industry standards, ensuring each project receives personalized attention and strategic insight. His dedication to quality and customer satisfaction shines in every interaction, making him a trusted partner for clients nationwide. Passionate about delivering superior service and solutions, David continuously seeks innovative approaches to support and grow SSV’s mission.
Territories: Southeastern North Carolina, Northeastern South Carolina
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Earl Spangler
ENGINEER
Earl is our skilled engineer with an impressive 40-year career in engineering. With decades of experience, he expertly designs all of your specialty vehicles, ensuring each one meets the highest standards of quality and innovation. Earl's dedication and expertise are instrumental in delivering top-notch solutions tailored to your needs, making him an invaluable member of the Southeastern Specialty Vehicles team.
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Calvin Craft
COMPLIANCE MANAGER
Calvin is a retired Law Enforcement Chief from the Pitt County A.B.C. Board with over 27 years of service, and he has more than 40 years of experience in the Volunteer Fire Service, including 20 years with the Farmville Volunteer Fire Department. He was instrumental in making SSV the first remount facility worldwide to achieve ISO 9001:2008 certification and Ford QVM compliance. Calvin is dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, enhancing standards for both customers and employees.
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Chris VanHonk
SERVICE MANAGER
Chris is dedicated to servicing your vehicles and continues to assist with all your vehicle’s needs! With a keen eye for detail and a dedication to customer satisfaction, Chris ensures that every vehicle receives top-notch service and care. His passion for problem-solving and commitment to quality make him an invaluable asset to our team, helping to keep your vehicles running smoothly.
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John Howell