Meet Your Trainers

Kevin Shelledy

Joined Thrive in: 2015

Professional Background: With over 13 previous years in the Hospitality industry, specifically Starwood Hotels and Resorts, I am Thrive’s customer service expert. I was first introduced to Thrive Real Estate in 2011 when my wife Joy and I were relocating from Chicago to Denver. Our experience buying with Thrive was so professional, fun and successful that when the opportunity arose to join Thrive, I was all-in.

In 2016 I took the initiative to get certified as a Real Estate Negotiation Expert and have successfully won multiple opportunities for my clients by placing their needs and offers in a position of power in an often powerless market. My expertise in anticipating the needs of not only my clients but those on the other side of the transaction has helped dozens of clients successfully buy and sell their homes.

Personal Info: I was born and raised in Worland, WY. From there I spent a year in Pirapora Brazil as a Rotary Exchange Student before graduating from Marquette University with a double major in International Business and Economics. In 2014, I secured my first patent for the GoodNightFlight travel mask which secures your head while flying, allowing you to sleep in those uncomfortable seats. Finally, if I’m not out touring homes with clients, I’m playing with my son Everett, woodworking in my garage or helping Joy prepare for our next dinner party.

Kelly Bigsby

Joined Thrive in: 2020

Professional Background: Before joining Thrive, I dedicated many years as a Registered Nurse giving hope, sharing my faith and helping restore health to patients and families in need. Most recently, my husband and I moved to Denver where I managed his rapidly growing private practice. However, throughout the years, I have not been able to completely satiate my love for homes, design, construction and investment which is what has led me to Thrive. As a real estate advisor, I bring compassion, empathy, professionalism, loyalty and an incredibly strong sense of duty that I have cultivated throughout my medical career to ensure all of my clients feel cared for with their best interest in the forefront. I recognize that buying or selling a home is one of life’s biggest decisions and I hold the responsibility of being an advisor through that decision as the highest honor that goes well beyond the transaction itself.

Personal Info: If I am not working, designing or investing, I love to soak in the beautiful Colorado air hiking, backpacking, snowboarding and more than anything just spending time with my family.

Dave Ness

Founded Thrive in: 2011

Professional Background: I have a colorful history in business primarily focused in the start-up world. My startup ventures began with Fortis Riders (www.Fortis.co) in 2000 where I served in Atlanta, GA as Vice President of Sales & Marketing and helped grow the new company to more than a million dollars in revenue. Today, Fortis Riders is one of the largest companies of it’s kind and has debuted on the INC 500 list several times. I remain one of its largest shareholders. I left Fortis Riders in 2004 to help start Modern Downtown Developers, Inc. in Denver, Colorado. “Modo” quickly became one of the largest and most active condo conversion companies in Denver with over 40 investors and more than 130 units developed. With the real estate market downturn in 2009, Modo Developers was shelved, and I made the lateral move to become a real estate agent. In 2011, I founded Thrive Real Estate Group. Since then, Thrive has sold over a billion dollars of real estate, has earned more than 1500 Five Star reviews, and is currently ranked #1 in the nation by Zillow for Client Experience. Thrive has offices in Cherry Creek North and Platt Park.

Personal Info: I am father to 3 amazing children and a beautiful, ever-talented wife. In my non-real estate hours I sit on the Board of Advisors for 2 startup companies – Thrive Workspaces, Denver’s premier co-working office and Empact Bars, a high-end snack bar designed for women. In my off-hours, I love exploring Denver via bike with my family, road-tripping to Steamboat Springs, CO, skiing double black diamonds, climbing Colorado’s peaks, camping, reading business books – and drinking good whiskey.

Kevin Nydam

Joined Thrive in: 2017

Professional Background: I am a Denver native and have been in the relationship business for years.  I pride myself on building strong, lasting relationships with awesome people. Growing up as an athlete and developing those skills throughout college taught me humility and how to grow relationships.  With over ten years experience as a Tennis Professional I learned that growing businesses starts with people, the relationships you build with them, and most important, making relationships last.

Thrive Real Estate Group fits me well in that I am meeting and developing new relationships every day, which is what I live for.  My team has such amazing energy, a high level of business integrity, and an eagerness to win in life.  Thrive Real Estate Group is Denver real estate.

Personal Info: Outside real estate you will find me on the slopes in the winter, hiking in the summer, and living the Denver lifestyle to its fullest.

Matt Clark

Joined Thrive in: 2017

Professional Background: Two worlds collided for Matt.  With his 20 year work history experience in the commercial interiors side of business and his passion for creative residential real estate development. From a business perspective, Matt has extensive construction, architecture & design and project management experience. He has worked in multiple departments including; sales, finance, supply chain and international.  Recently, he lead corporate strategy for a company and spearheaded a $50 million revenue growth over a period for four years. Personally, Matt and his family have been actively investing in real estate development in Colorado for four years.

Matt was working in Los Angeles when his family grew from two people to four. With this change Matt and his wife looked at their Los Angeles 3+ hour daily commute and identified Colorado as an ideal place to grow roots and raise a family. They packed up the two kids and two dogs and headed toward the mountains and never looked back.

As a Thrive Real Estate Advisor , Matt has put his business experience to work by helping people create a personalized real estate strategy with an aim to generate wealth. Whether that is a single-family home or group of investment properties, Matt is a tenured Advisor. With his ability to contextualize market data and negotiate complex transactions, Matt is a strong Client advocate.

Personal Info: Matt grew up in Michigan and received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Lehigh University. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoor lifestyle that Colorado offers. You can find him wrestling with his two young boys in the backyard or riding bikes through the streets of Park Hill.

Nathan Dick

Joined Thrive in: 2019

Professional Background: Nathan joined Thrive after a successful business career spanning more than 20 years. He has served in sales and leadership positions in the building materials industry. Nathan worked closely with architects, designers, home builders, and home owners to create maximum value and enjoyment in a wide variety of projects. He brings to real estate a keen understanding of home exteriors – the design, function, and curb appeal of the “building envelope”.

Nathan also spent more than 10 years in the residential home furnishings industry, most recently serving as Divisional President for a large furniture company. Over these years, he worked in many vertically-integrated roles to design, manufacture, and bring to market stylish and valuable furniture products. Nathan interacted with a wide range of customers including large furniture retailers, boutique furniture stores, interior designers, and end users. He brings to real estate a keen understanding of home interiors – the layout, proportions, beauty, and comfort that help home owners to live a better life.

Nathan creates long-term relationships based on superior communication, valuable advocacy, and earned trust. He is organized, accessible, and analytical. He is a calm and experienced negotiator. He is passionate about simplifying and clarifying the process of home buying and selling for his clients.

Personal Info: Nathan hails from North of the Border, and is now a proud American and “dual citizen”. He has moved 11 times across three Canadian provinces and two US states. He now has lived for 8 years (and counting) in Denver, Colorado – where the roots are growing deep.

Nathan is richly blessed with an incredible family. He and his amazing wife Lisa chase around three teenagers. Kezia, Simon, and Jersey are all active in a great Douglas County high school. Mops and Pops can hardly believe College is looming and with it, yet another chapter of life. The family appreciates the four perfect Colorado seasons and what each has to offer. They love skiing, camping, and hiking (ok, maybe the kiddos get dragged along now and then). Three 14’ers have been conquered, with more to come. They also love to travel and as a family have explored London, Paris, Copenhagen, and Lisbon within the past year! Nathan serves on the board of his church, listens to music, used to sing some, plays golf, and reads avidly in many genres.

Theron Johnson

Joined Thrive in: 2020

Professional Background:  Theron spent the first 17 years of his professional career in the hospitality industry. With a background in partnership development and client relations, the transition into real estate was a simple one when the opportunity to join the Thrive team presented itself.

Personal Info: Theron and his wife Erin (yes, rhyming names!) both grew up in small towns in Kansas. They met while attending Kansas State University where Theron earned his degree in Marketing and International Business and Erin earned her degree in Landscape Design and Horticulture Therapy. Early on they made a pact that, if they were ever to get married and have kids, giving them names that rhymed wasn’t an option! They stuck to that pact and now have 2 sons, Owen and Gavin, that keep them on their toes.

When he isn’t helping his wife take care of their energetic young boys, Theron loves to golf, play softball and bake. His chocolate chip cookies have become a favorite at gatherings, so don’t be afraid to ask him to share!

Aghil Ansari

Joined Thrive in: 2020

Professional Background: Hello, my name is Aghil Ansari. Growing up in Dubai, UAE, I worked as an entrepreneur and successfully founded two businesses in my early twenties. Knowing that language connects people, I was proactive with finding ways to understand my clientele so that I could speak with them in their first language in order to better serve their needs. Today, I speak English, Farsi, Arabic, and Hindi fluently. I have strong cross-cultural and negotiating skills and an ability to understand people’s needs.  As a realtor, I go above and beyond as an intermediary for my clients in order to exceed their expectations and find the best home and community to meet their needs in and around Denver.

Personal Info: My wife and I live in Denver, and this vibrant, international and mountainous area is where we call our forever home. You can find us on the weekend, when I’m not practicing real estate, with an language group at a coffee shop in Capitol Hill, exploring the art walk on Santa Fe, playing soccer on Sunday or hiking around Boulder with a tea afterward at Dushanbe tea house. I would love to turn your buying and selling dream into a reality.

Dan Swanson

Joined Thrive in: 2020

Professional Background: Certified as both a Market Expert and a Real Estate Negotiation Expert, Dan has effectively won competitive situations for his clients by listening to their needs and delivering their offer in a positive and collaborative manner. Dan understands it’s more than just a strong offer price, but the terms, details and confidence of offers that both win and keep deals together for his buyers and sellers. Dan has continued to grow his business year over year, and it shows in the strong, lasting relationships he’s created with clients.

Helping people is Dan’s passion. He enjoys coaching clients about the process, neighborhoods, build styles, expectations and more. Advising within the intricacies of listing strategies, competitive offers, inspection or appraisal obstacles and the like, Dan enjoys challenges and understands the emotional side clients often experience – always offering empathy, understanding and his advice. For Dan, it’s about creating relationships that go beyond the time spent buying or selling a home together.

Personal Info: Dan grew up in Western Pennsylvania. From there, he graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a major in Kinesiology. Drawn by the mountains and opportunities in Colorado, he moved to Vail and honed his customer service skills as a Level 2 certified Ski Instructor. Dan earned a Master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado and parlayed that into a role at Vail Resorts, in Marketing and Digital Experience. With an enthusiasm for helping people, Dan shifted into Real Estate, focusing on new home sales, which allows him today to help clients visualize an older home’s potential and better understand possible project hurdles and costs.

Additionally, if he’s not out exploring homes, he’s playing with Sage, his daughter, walking his Bernese Mtn Dog Gus, riding his bike or spending time with Ivy, his wife, checking out fun, new Denver restaurants.