Joe Street is the Co-Founder of West River Conveyors. A former schoolteacher and public service figure, Joe decided he wanted to be a businessman. With his partner, Jerry, they formed West River Conveyors in 1981 out of the need to rebuild mining equipment and conveyors for the mining industry in Southwest Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, and Southern West Virginia. Joe’s expertise in speed reducers and conveyor equipment has made him a name in the industry. Joe’s certifications and knowledge come from more than 50 years in the mining industry. He’s a graduate of Pikeville College and the University of Virginia. Joe enjoys golfing, fishing, and spending time with his four grandchildren.
Pete Savage joined West River in 2010 after service in the United States Army. He quickly built deep expertise in conveyor systems while developing strong partnerships across the mining and bulk material handling industries. Pete was promoted to President/CEO in October 2021 and now leads the company’s growth initiatives, strategic planning, and operational execution.
He has a winning attitude and a passion for helping others, taking pride in lending West River’s experience and technical knowledge to support customers and serve the industry, recognizing that customers are the backbone of the company’s success. He is committed to continually growing as a leader, striving to improve himself while investing in the people around him.
Pete loves his wife and children and values faith, family, and country, cherishing time spent with those he loves most.
Jessica Savage joined the West River team in 2005 and returned in 2010 after a brief time away, bringing renewed focus and strategic vision to the company. Over the years, she has played a key role in shaping West River’s brand, market presence, and long-term growth. Jessica leads marketing and advertising initiatives, drives continuous improvement efforts, supports business development, and helps guide overall company strategy. A 2005 graduate of Virginia Tech, Jessica is passionate about advancing both organizational and community initiatives. Outside of work, she enjoys exercising, contributing to her local theatre, watching her kids sporting events, and spending time with her husband and three children.
Tina Clevinger has been a foundational part of West River since its inception in 1981. With more than four decades of experience, she brings deep institutional knowledge and comprehensive expertise across all aspects of the company’s operations. Tina possesses extensive product knowledge, particularly in conveyor components and parts, as well as strong financial insight, making her a trusted resource for both customers and team members alike. Her broad understanding of West River’s history, products, and processes allows her to assist customers with confidence and precision. Outside of work, Tina enjoys traveling, riding motorcycles, caring for her animals, and spending time with her family.
Jessica Vanover joined the West River team in April 2015 and plays a key role in leading the company’s Human Resources initiatives. She oversees employee benefits, performance management, safety programs, and regulatory compliance, ensuring that West River maintains strong operational standards while supporting its workforce. Jessica is passionate about a positive company culture, driving continuous improvement, and enhancing the overall employee experience. A 2014 graduate of King University, Jessica enjoys exercising, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Tim O’Harran is one of West River’s newest team members, bringing with him a deep understanding of mining operations and conveyor system performance. His hands-on industry experience allows him to quickly assess operational challenges and identify practical, efficient solutions that improve reliability and productivity. Tim works closely with customers to understand their unique material handling needs and is committed to delivering solutions that enhance safety, extend equipment life, and optimize overall system performance. His collaborative approach and technical insight make him a valuable resource to both customers and the West River team.
Chris Viers joined the West River team in the fall of 2021 as a Manufacturing Engineer, bringing more than 14 years of hands-on mining industry experience. Prior to West River, he served as a Maintenance Foreman for Coronado Coal, where he led maintenance operations and developed extensive expertise in mining machinery and conveyor systems. Much of his career has focused on the installation, troubleshooting, and optimization of belt drive systems, giving him valuable real-world insight into performance, reliability, and operational efficiency. A graduate of Bluefield State with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology, Chris combines strong technical knowledge with practical field experience to support high-quality manufacturing and system design. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time at the lake with his family.
Dathan Vanover joined the West River team in 2022, bringing more than a decade of experience in parts management and industrial operations. He oversees the company’s speed reducer shop, where reducers are rebuilt, inspected, and rigorously tested to ensure quality and reliability. Dathan plays a critical role in maintaining performance standards and minimizing downtime for customers. In urgent breakdown situations, he understands the importance of speed and precision and works diligently to help customers get back up and running as quickly as possible. A 2016 graduate of King University, Dathan enjoys making fishing lures, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his wife and two sons.
Jessica Dotson joined the West River team in October 2021 as an Administrative Assistant, bringing more than 20 years of experience from the healthcare industry. Her strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and customer-focused mindset make her an essential part of the company’s daily operations. Jessica provides critical administrative support that helps keep projects, communication, and internal processes running smoothly. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, fishing, and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Russ James joined the West River team in 2014, bringing nearly four decades of experience in underground conveyor systems. Since beginning his career in 1986, Russ has developed extensive expertise in conveyor sales, installation, and troubleshooting. Prior to West River, he served as Underground Sales Manager and Conveyor Service Manager for FMC Technologies, where he led customer-focused solutions and service operations in demanding mining environments. At West River, Russ works closely with customers to evaluate operational needs and recommend optimal conveyor equipment designs. He also oversees terminal equipment installations and provides expert troubleshooting to ensure system reliability and performance. His deep industry knowledge and hands-on field experience make him a trusted advisor to customers. Outside of work, Russ enjoys traveling, riding UTVs, working out, and reading.
Jason Kiser joined the West River Conveyors team in late 2025, bringing more than 21 years of experience supporting the mining and power generation industries. He offers extensive expertise in field measurement and the design of replacement material handling equipment, ensuring that every project begins with accurate data and results in precise, production-ready drawings. Jason’s attention to detail and deep understanding of operating environments help streamline fabrication and deliver reliable, high-performance solutions for customers. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.
Chris Blackburn began his career in 2004 and has been hands-on with conveyor systems ever since. With experience spanning coal, aggregate, lime, iron ore, sand, and other bulk materials across the United States, he brings a well-rounded understanding of material handling operations in diverse environments. Over the years, he has performed belt installations, vulcanizing, and worked with belt cleaners and chute systems, while also serving in leadership roles including Sales Manager and Operations Manager. His approach is customer-focused, emphasizing preventative maintenance to minimize downtime and maximize system reliability. His field experience and operational insight make him a strong partner for customers seeking practical and performance-oriented solutions. Chris brings experience to West River from his time at Classic Conveyor, Fenner Dunlop, ISSI, and Fourthane. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family at the lake, camping, and drag racing.
Cost-effective solutions for hauling aggregates like sand and gravel over long distances.
LEARN MORE
Improve mining operations with custom conveyors that are tested for safety and reliability.
LEARN MORE
An online inventory stocked with gearboxes, fluid couplings and other parts ready to be shipped.
LEARN MORE
Avoid unplanned downtime and injuries that can arise from worn out conveyor belts.
LEARN MOREMaintaining proper belt tension is essential for efficient, safe, and reliable conveyor operation. In mining applications where conveyors must handle heavy loads over long distances, a well-designed tensioning system—commonly referred read more »
As 2025 comes to a close, mining and bulk-materials handling operations are navigating evolving market conditions, cost pressures, and shifting demand. These changes are driving new investments while also creating read more »
When it comes to designing or troubleshooting a mining conveyor system, one of the most common questions engineers ask is: How much material can my conveyor actually handle? The answer read more »
