Our Team - Appalachia Homes

Lucas Heidel

Brand Experience Manager

Lucas started working for Clayton Homes in 2016 at the TRU facility in East Tennessee as a Market Development Manager. Upon learning more about the industry and the product he made the transition to Clayton Appalachia in 2018.

865-494-7800

Lucas.heidel@claytonhomes.com Email

Nick Whetsel

Senior Customer Success Manager

Nick started with Clayton Homes in January of 1991 working on the production line at the Ardmore facility. He later moved to parts manager, service manager, and then sales coordinator before becoming an MDM in October of 1996. Nick has also worked for the Clayton Savannah and Giles facilities before joining the Appalachia Team in July of 2019. His current territory is Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.

865-494-7800

Nick.whetsel@claytonhomes.com Email

Ryan Jorgensen

Customer Success Manager

Ryan started with Clayton Homes in 2019 as a member of the Home Building Group MIT program. During his 18-month tenure, Ryan received extensive training in production, procurement, service, and sales. Upon completion of the program, Ryan became a CSM for Appalachia in August of 2020. Ryan currently supports western Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri and Appalachia’s Community partners.

865-494-7800

Ryan.Jorgensen@claytonhomes.com Email

Chris Morgan

Customer Success Manager

Chris joined Clayton Homes in 2017 as part of the facilities team, where he worked for a year before transitioning into an MIT role at Appalachia. Shortly after, he moved to Waco 1, continuing his growth in the industry. After graduating from the MIT program, Chris was hired as an Assistant Production Manager at the Oxford facility in 2021. During his time in production, he gained extensive product knowledge before moving into the CSM role at Oxford in October 2023. In February 2025, Chris transitioned into sales at Appalachia, further expanding his expertise within the company!

(865) 297-2690

Chris.Morgan@ClaytonHomes.com Email

Kevin Nelson

Customer Success Manager

Kevin began his career with Clayton Homes in 2009 as an Account Representative in Vanderbilt Mortgage. He spent thirteen years in the Remarketing Department at Vanderbilt Mortgage as an Asset Manager. Kevin joined the Clayton Manufacturing division in June 2023 here at our Appalachia facility. Kevin supports South Carolina, Virginia, and Eastern North Carolina.

865-494-7800

Kevin.nelson@claytonhomes.com Email

Cade Russell

Customer Success Manager

Cade started with Clayton Homes in January of 2024 working on the production line at TRU Halls. Later he transitioned into CSM training through Home Building Groups MIT program. In November of 2024 Cade accepted a CSM position at Clayton Appalachia working with Florida, Georgia, and Communities.

(865) 441-2588

Cade.Russell@ClaytonHomes.com Email

Samantha Owens

Sales Coordinator

Samantha Owens lives in Jacksboro, TN, with her husband and three children—all boys, ages 21, 14, and 8. Outside of work, her life can be summed up in three words: Faith, Family, and Football. Her son plays High School football, and she looks forward to Friday Night Lights every week. A lifelong Tennessee Volunteers fan, she proudly cheers, “Go Big Orange!” Family is at the center of Samantha’s world, and much of their time is spent together at football games, family cookouts, or fishing trips. Naturally competitive, she often joins her husband in tournament fishing, always aiming to catch the biggest bass. Fall is her favorite season, and she has a particular love for holiday decorations, so much so that she has to remind herself not to start decorating too early each year.

865-498-6162

Samantha.Owens@claytonhomes.com Email

Jamie Rose

Sales Coordinator

Jamie started working for Clayton Appalachia in 2020 on the production line. She has worked in final finish as well as top build gaining knowledge about our product. Jamie just recently moved into the office as Sales Coordinator and is excited to grow in her career and help our customers.

865-494-7800

Jamie.Rose@claytonhomes.com Email

Donnie Lane

Dispatcher

Donnie started working for Clayton Homes in May of 2022. He joined our team as Dispatcher and he works closely with the Sales Coordinators and Sales team. Donnie’s focus is to ensure prompt delivery of the homes to our retailers and families.

865-494-7800

Donnie.lane@claytonhomes.com Email