|
|
Here are a few of our courteous and professional team members. You may contact them directly by clicking HERE and we will make sure he/she gets your message. Thank you for visiting our website. We look forward to hearing from you.
|
|
|
|
Marisa Mae Mills - Group General Manager
Since 1922, when my grandfather started the first of our companies, our family has stood for honesty, integrity, trust, doing what's right, courtesy, and customer service, with mutual long-term relationships for both customers and employees. These qualities have carried over into everything my grandfather has done, and my father, uncle, and now my two brothers, two cousins, and I do with all of our businesses. We intend to continue all of our efforts and business endeavors now and in the future, in the same manner to ensure that we are exceeding our customer’s expectations!
It has been my dream ever since I was a little girl to work with my father on an everyday basis in conjunction with all of our businesses. I have been working with our companies since I was 15 years old. I attended Hamline University from 1993-1995 and Northwood University from 1995-1997, upon which time I graduated.
Through my passion of physical and emotional holistic healthcare and development, I have become a Certified Hendricks Conscious Living and Loving Coach. Please find my profile on the link listed below. http://www.hendrickscoaches.com/north-america/united-states/midwest-united-states/
I am truly blessed to be surrounded by some of the most amazing, talented, and dedicated individuals in the world that are on my team at the Mills Automotive Group! I am grateful for each of their individual and team contributions, hard work, personal responsibility, and continued growth that I am part of witnessing on a daily basis! I truly love my team!
On my journey thus far, my personal and professional growth and development have been immensely impacted by these individuals and/or companies in various ways. And, from the bottom of my heart, I am grateful!
|
|
|
Patrick Weideman - Director of Administration
Patrick started with the Mills Companies in 1983 as a computer programmer in the Mills Fleet Farm Distribution Center in Appleton, WI. He spent 12 years with the retail division and assisted with such projects as the implementation of an automated inventory and replenishment system and the acceptance of credit cards at the Fleet Farm stores. With the expansion of the Automotive Group in 1996, Patrick and his family moved to Brainerd to assist with the addition of Mills GM, Brainerd, Mills Ford Jeep of Willmar, and Mills Auto Center, Willmar. Patrick’s role with the Automotive Group has grown to include both IT and Human Resources. He is very proud of his two grown sons, Chase and Mitchel. Patrick is an avid bicyclist and enjoys touring the Brainerd Lakes Area.
|
|
|
Michael Deemer - Parts and Service Director
Michael started his automotive career in 1992 washing cars at Ron Marhofer Ford Lincoln Mercury in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, a suburb of Akron, and near his home town of Barberton. At the Marhofer dealership, Michael worked his way up in service and eventually into fixed operations management. He came to Mills in 2012 after 11 years as a corporate trainer and fixed operations director at Autonation and Mullinax Ford in North Canton, Ohio. Michael and his wife, Melina, have four children, and the family enjoys boating, camping, biking and all sports.
|
|
|
Jeff Smith - Willmar Dealership Group General Manager
A Willmar native, Jeff has been in management since 1993 and joined Mills Ford Chrysler as service manager in September 2003. He was promoted to general manager of the dealership in 2007, and then to his current position in 2013. He is the father of three children, Jack, Lindsey and Nolan. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, working around the house, hunting and traveling.
|
|
|
Kathleen Baumann - Business Office Manager
Originally from Avon and the youngest of eight children in her family, Kathleen is a graduate of Holdingford High School and the College of St. Benedict with degrees in accounting and business finance/management. Her career started with Larson Allen CPA as director of administration in the retirement plan division, then on to UPI as distributions manager. She has more than nine years experience in automotive. Kathleen and her husband, Paul, have two sons. The family lives in Pequot Lakes. She enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, cooking, singing at weddings, playing the guitar and family time.
|
|
|
Bonnie Franke - Marketing Manager
A North Dakota transplant, Bonnie joined Mills in 2008 after 30 years in radio advertising sales. She has a business management degree from the University of North Dakota and Valley City State University. She enjoys yard work, golf, boating and spending time with her grandchildren. Bonnie and her husband, Norm, live in Brainerd.
|
|
|
Bret Mattheisen - IT Manager
Bret joined Mills in 2011 after working 13 years as a systems engineer at Syvantis Technologies. He and his wife, Lacie, have three children. The family lives in Pillager, where Bret has been a member of Pillager Area Fire and Rescue since 2002, and a city council member since 2000. A graduate of Benson High School, Bret attended St. John’s University, and graduated from St. Cloud Technical College with a degree in network administration. He enjoys hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and home remodeling.
|
|
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
Tom Schroepfer - General Sales Manager
Tom’s career in automotive began in 1988, and he joined Mills in March 1997. Tom was promoted to used car sales manager in November 2005, and then to his current position in 2013. When not at work Tom and his wife, Sue, married since 2002, enjoy being on the lake. Tom also tries to find time for hunting, fishing, and spending time with friends.
|
|
|
Rick Hess - Sales Manager
A veteran of 20-plus years in the car business, Rick returns to Mills after working more than two years as used car manager at the former Swenson Motor Co., Willmar. And, he’s never really left home, having been born/raised in Willmar, and graduating from Willmar High School. Rick is also a graduate of Hamline University with a degree in economics. His automotive career started at Manley Auto Center, Willmar, which later became Mills Auto Center. Rick and his wife, Linda, have one son and six grandchildren. He plays golf and enjoys watching his son drive in drag races.
|
|
|
Jeff Sawyer - Business Manager
Jeff joined Mills in 2012 after working three years in a similar capacity at Swenson Motor Company, Willmar. He also previously owned a mortgage company for 11 years. Originally from Austin, Jeff is a graduate of Austin Senior High School, and the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in hotel/restaurant management. Jeff and his wife, Kathleen, and have two children. Outside of work, he enjoys attending his childrens’ sports events, golf and fishing. He is also an active board member of Willmar Cardinal Pride.
|
|
|
Tom Holmquist - Sales Consultant
Tom has worked at the dealership since March of 1983. He started out cleaning cars then eventually was the manager of the Reconditioning Center. In November of 1998 he started his sales career. Tom and his wife Sue have a son Jayden. Tom enjoys fishing and golfing, but most of all spending time with his family.
|
|
|
Rick Schroeder - Sales Consultant
Rick and his wife Julie live in Raymond. They have two sons, TJ and Dean. In Rick’s spare time, he enjoys golfing, the outdoors, and family activities.
|
|
|
Adam Hess - Sales Consultant
Born and raised in Willmar, Adam joined Mills in June 2010 after working at Jake’s Pizza and Cash Wise while going to school. He attended the marketing and sales management program at Ridgewater College, Willmar, and the elementary education program at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He and his fiancé, Kati Tensen, are the parents of a son, Jamison Dean Hess. Outside of work, Adam enjoys family time, and playing golf and softball with friends.
|
|
|
Alroy Mahlum - Sales Consultant
With an automotive sales career that started in 1987, Alroy joined Mills in 2012 after working in Olivia, Granite Falls and Montevideo. He and his wife, Laura, have two daughters, Sofia, and Julie, and the family lives in Montevideo. Originally from Sacred Heart, Alroy is a graduate of Renville-Sacred Heart High School and was a student in sales/marketing at Granite Falls Technical College. Outside of work, he enjoys gardening, family outings and horses.
|
|
|
Todd Cadwell - Sales Consultant
Todd joined Mills in 2013 after working as a territory sales manager for Guardian Building Products. He is originally from Russell and a graduate of Russell-Tyler High School. Todd and his wife, Lynn, live in Spicer and their family includes five adult children and two dogs. Outside of work, Todd enjoys time with family, grandchildren and friends at their cabin in Sauk Centre, along with fishing, hunting, motorcycling, snowmobiling and woodworking.
|
|
|
|
Service
|
|
|
Kevin Marti - Service Manager
A veteran of the automotive industry beginning in 1990, Kevin came to Mills after four years as service manager at Swenson Motor Company. Born and raised in the Willmar area, Kevin is a graduate of Willmar High School, and a retired 19 year member of the Willmar Fire Department.
Kevin and his wife, Greta, have two daughters, Olivia, and Grace. Outside of work, Kevin enjoys boating and attending his daughters’ many basketball, softball and cross country games.
|
|
|
Dan Halldin - Quick Lane Manager
Dan is a long-time resident of Willmar, a graduate of Willmar High School, and he attended St. Cloud State University. He joined the Quick Lane team in 2012 after working 32 years as owner of Halldin Tire & Auto Center in Willmar. He and his wife, Kathy, have four adult children and eight grandchildren. Dan enjoys hunting and watching the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings.
|
|
|
John DeLuna - Service Advisor
John joined the Mills family in September of 1996. He began in the Auto Reconditioning Center and was promoted to manager of that department in 1998. In 2000, John became a Service Advisor. John is married to Nichole. They have two children, John Jr. and Austin. In his spare time, John enjoys spending time with his family. He enjoys the outdoors, football, hockey, and boxing.
|
|
|
Nick Landberg - Service Advisor
Nick is a graduate of Minnesota State University, Moorhead, with a degree in mass communications and public relations. Born and raised in Willmar, Nick was previously a bartender at Melvin’s on The Lake, Spicer. He enjoys hunting, fishing and most any outdoor activities.
|
|
|
|
Parts
|
|
|
Josh Antony - Parts
Originally from Canby and a graduate of Canby High School, Josh has worked in automotive since 2007. He is a graduate of Minnesota West Technical College with a degree in auto body collision repair. Before joining Mills, Josh worked at Moeller Body and Paint as a technician, and at Westman Freightliner in parts customer service. After work, Josh enjoys hunting, fishing, water sports and restoring his 1949 Chevy pick-up.
|
|
|
|
Customer Care
|
|
|
Dawn Rasmussen - Customer Care Center Manager
Dawn has worked in automotive since 2005, and has more than 16 years in customer service. Before joining Mills she was in customer service/insurance, handling credit cards, policies, retention and sales. Dawn is originally from Virginia Beach, VA. She and husband, Ed, live in Brainerd with their sons, Aubrey and Shannon.
|
|
|
Judy Bakeberg - Customer Care Center
Judy joined Mills in 2009. She is originally from Washington State and moved to Minnesota in 1999. Judy is a graduate of Pillager High School and Central Lakes College. Judy and her husband, Brian, along with two sons, Michael and Parker, live in Brainerd. When not at work she thrives on spending time with her family and friends.
|
|
|
Jane Branshaw - Customer Care Center
Jane has worked in customer service more than 30 years, and joined the automotive field in November 2008. She is originally from White Bear Lake and has a degree in data entry and bookkeeping. Jane and her husband, Steve, have two adult daughters. She enjoys fishing, boating, tennis, bike riding, racing and rides on the Harley.
|
|
|
Kyle Hall - Customer Care Center
Kyle joined Mills in November 2008 and is the voice on most vehicle videos on www.millsauto.com. A graduate of Brainerd High School, Kyle and his wife have three children. He is active in the Boy Scouts and enjoys racing of any kind, the Minnesota Twins, Vikings and Wild.
|
|
|
Sue Johnson - Customer Care Center
Sue joined Mills in 2004 and previously worked in customer service at Honeywell in Golden Valley. She has two children. Sue moved to Breezy Point in 2001, where her family had vacationed for many years.
|
|
|
Krystel Sam - Customer Care Center
Krystel joined Mills in May 2010. She grew up in McGregor and moved to the Brainerd Lakes Area soon after graduating from McGregor High School. Krystel also worked in customer service nine years before joining Mills. She and her husband, Arlyn, have three children. Krystel enjoys cooking, gardening, reading and spending time with her family.
|
|
|
Dan Behymer – Customer Care Center
A resident of Breezy Point, Dan joined Mills in 2012 as a sales consultant at Mills GM, and then moved to the Customer Care Center in 2013. He previously worked in engineering at American Precision Avionics, Duluth; Nortech Systems, Merrifield, and Seagate Technology, Bloomington, and Longmont, Colo. Dan is an active car hobbyist and has a 1957 Nash Rambler. He’s had several nationally recognized show cars. Dan and his wife have five adult children. He is originally from South Minneapolis, where he also graduated from high school. Dan is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin —Stout in Menomonie with a degree in industrial technology and education. He is active at Timberwood Church, Nisswa.
|
|
|
Amanda Moralez – Customer Care Center
A native of Hayward, Wis., Amanda is new to automotive and joined Mills in 2013. She was previously a human resources representative and trainer with a company serving people with special needs, an administrative assistant with Brainerd Lakes Chamber, and a warehouse operations specialist at RalphLauren.com, which included personal shopping for customers. Amanda is a graduate of Hayward High School, and she studied mass communications and English at St. Cloud State University. She is a certified CPR/ first aid trainer, and volunteers at the annual Ride for Wishes Bike Rally. Amanda and her husband, Steve, live in Brainerd with their two dogs and two cats. They enjoy camping, hiking and sitting around a camp fire with friends.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
