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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Sales
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Brady Sladek - General Sales Manager
Brady joined the Mills Ford Sales team on September, 2003. He was previously employed with the Mills GM Detail Department since September, 1999. Brady grew up in the Brainerd Lakes Area, and recently graduated from the College of Saint Scholastica. When he's not working Brady enjoys biking and spending time with his friends.
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Mike Brown - Sales Manager
Mike has lived on Bass Lake in Merrifield since 1993. He grew up in the Whipholt area and graduated from Walker High School. He has 4 children- Jessica, Kelsey, Stephanie & Jared; a son-in-law (Dan Tougas) and two granddaughters (Ciera and Alexis). Mike enjoys all the outdoor activities including fishing, hunting, motorcycle riding in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter.
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Tim Gonska - Sales Manager
Tim joined Mills in 2013 with 11 years prior experience in automotive. He was previously a new car sales manager at a local dealership. Tim and his wife, Michelle, live in Baxter with their daughter, Chloe. He grew up in Merrifield, is a graduate of Crosby-Ironton High School and was a student in the law enforcement program at North Hennepin Community College. Tim is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing, hunting and camping.
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Tom Dietman - Business Manager
With experience in sales, finance and management at dealerships in St. Cloud and Monticello, Tom joined Mills in 2012. He is originally from St. Cloud, a graduate of Cathedral High School, and the University of Minnesota, Duluth, with a degree in business and marketing. He and his wife, Jane, have a son and daughter, and the family lives in Rice. Tom enjoys running, canoeing, backpacking and travel.
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Lee Austin - Sales and Leasing Consultant
Lee joined Mills in 1997. He has been in sales and management since the early 1980's and has been in the automotive industry since 1996. He's married and has two children. In his spare time he enjoys hunting, fishing, and old cars.
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Don Griggs - Sales and Leasing Consultant
Don has been with Mills Ford since 1998. He is a native of Washington, Iowa. Don met his wife, Melody, while they were both attending Iowa State University in Ames, IA. and have been married since 1986. Don and Melody have five children: Samantha, Ashley, Megan, Dayton and Haley. Don has been in retail sales since 1983 and in automotive sales since 1993. Don and his family enjoy actively serving in various ministries in their church and community.
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Renee Campbell - Sales and Leasing Consultant
Renee joined the Mills sales team in August, 2003. She grew up in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, where she came from a family-owned Cadillac and Oldsmobile dealership. (Let's just say car sales have always been in her blood). Previously, Renee has been self employed for 14 years as a daycare provider in her home. Renee and her husband have 4 children. She enjoys fishing, golf and gardening. She has been involved in the Jaycees, and volunteered for various community charities.
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Chuck Cole - Sales and Leasing Consultant
Chuck joined the Mills team in December of 2003. He is new to the automotive business and is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead. He was in the hospitality business for almost 30 years prior, so he enjoys helping and talking with people. He has been a seasonal resident of the Lakes Area since 1986 and a full time resident since 2001. He and his wife Cheryl have a daughter and two sons. They enjoy boating, fishing and many outdoor activities.
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Dale Matthies - Sales and Leasing Consultant
Dale joined the Mills team in 2002, first in service, now in the sales department. He attended Dakota County College. He has been in the Ford industry since 1989. Dale and his wife Deb have two boys, Brandon and Cody. When not at work he enjoys hunting, fishing, softball, atving, walks in the woods with his dogs and family time.
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Ethan Branum - Sales and Leasing Consultant
Ethan joined Mills after graduating in May 2012 from the University of Wisconsin, Superior, with a degree in business administration and a marketing emphasis. He also attended Bemidji State University, and was baseball pitcher at both schools. He was born and raised in the Brainerd Lakes Area and a graduate of Brainerd High School. While in high school, Ethan worked at Breezy Point Resort golf courses, Iven’s on the Bay and Deacon’s Lodge Golf Course. Outside of work, he enjoys fishing, hunting, movies, golf and baseball. Ethan lives on Pelican Lake near Nisswa.
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Rich VonderHaar - Sales and Leasing Consultant
Rich joined Mills in 2013 with previous automotive experience. Originally from Virginia on the Iron Range, Rich is a graduate of St. Cloud Tech High School, and has also worked as a disc jockey, cook and bartender. He and his wife, Jennie, have five children and the family lives in Rice. After work, Rich enjoys reading.
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Service
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Greg Spitt - Parts & Service Manager
Originally from Eau Claire, Wis., Greg joined Mills in 2012 after working as parts and service director at Roseville Ford since 1999. His automotive career has been entirely in service starting in 1983 as a detailer and rust proofer at a family-owned Ford dealership in southern Minnesota. Greg is a graduate of Apple Valley High School and Dakota County Technical College. He and his wife, Jill, are parents of twin daughters and a son. The family lives in Baxter and enjoys camping, fishing, boating and snowmobiling.
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Al Porta - Service Dispatcher
Al joined Mills in 2012 and has worked more than 30 years in automotive. He and his wife have two daughters and the family lives in Pine River. The family enjoys boating, horseback riding, four-wheeling, biking and walking with their pets. Al is a graduate of Buffalo High School, and served in the U.S. Army.
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Eric Libson - Service Advisor
Eric joined Mills in October 2010. He was previously a service manager for five years at Firestone Complete Auto Care in downtown Minneapolis. A 2002 graduate of Osseo Senior High School, Eric was a long-time resident of Brooklyn Park. He and his wife, Emily, previously lived in Coon Rapids, and now reside in Baxter. Eric enjoys fishing, hunting, golf, driving four-wheelers and other outdoor activities.
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Eric Holmvig - Service Advisor
Eric joined Mills in December 2011 after working nine years in sales, inventory, merchandising and loss prevention at Best Buy in Willmar and Baxter. He was also an assistant manager at Best Buy for four years. Eric is 2003 graduate of Crosby-Ironton High School. A resident of Baxter, Eric enjoys hunting, fishing, softball and spending time with friends.
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Jared Martin - Service Advisor
Jared joined Mills in 2006 after graduating from the automotive program at Central Lakes College, Brainerd. He is also a graduate of Brainerd High School. Jared and his wife, Angel, live in Brainerd. He enjoys hunting, fishing and church activities.
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Ron Christensen - Service Advisor
With an automotive career of more than 20 years, Ron joined Mills in 2013 after working for several dealerships in the Twin Cities. He was as a service advisor, worked in detail, parts and other areas. Ron attended Cambridge High School. He lives in Little Falls and has three children.
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Monty Becker - Quick Lane Manager
Monty graduated from NDSSS and spent 19 years in the Automotive Retail Business. He joined the Mills family in 2000 and is currently QuickLane manager. Monty says the best part of his position is helping people. Monty and his wife, Michele, live in Baxter with their three children. Monty enjoys all sports and likes to spend time with family.
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Jeremy Holder - Quick Lane Service Advisor
Jeremy started at The Bodyworks in 2002, then came to Quick Lane in June 2009. He lives in Baxter. Jeremy has been riding horses since childhood, which led to him being with the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol. Jeremy, a three-year member, is among 20 active riders who do crowd control, security, public relations, and appear at county fairs, community events and parades. The Mounted Patrol is a volunteer division of the Sheriff's Dept.
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Parts
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Marvin Schmaltz - Parts Manager
A long-time Brainerd resident and graduate of Brainerd High School, Marvin joined Mills in 1984. He and his wife, Sherry, have two children. Marvin enjoys all outdoor activities and vacationing with his family.
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Tom Twiss - Parts
A graduate of Cretin High School in St. Paul, and the auto mechanic program at St. Paul Technical College, Tom has worked in automotive since 1977. He lives in Pillager and is originally from Iowa. He enjoys hunting and fishing.
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Don Franzmeier - Parts
Don, a resident of Pillager, has worked on automotive since 1991. He is originally from Benson, and graduated from Benson High School. Don has two daughters and enjoys fishing, hunting, golf and boating.
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Tom Koering - Parts
Tom has worked in automotive since 1991. He is a graduate of Brainerd High School and lives in Fort Ripley. Tom has two daughters and previously worked for Viking Coca-Cola and Hennepin Paper Co. Outside of work, Tom enjoys fishing and hunting.
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Customer Care
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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BRAINERD/BAXTER, MN
