Our Team

 
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!
 

 
Born in the Motor City, Detroit, Brian grew up in and has lived the car business. His dad was a claims manager for AAA, and, as Brian says, “he knew every car on the road.” Brian’s first job at 19 was with Holley Automotive, where he was an engineering technician. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a degree in auto engineering technology. Before joining Mills in November 2009, his career included eight years with Ford Motor Company in Michigan as a field representative for parts and service; service and sales at the Ford regional office in Minneapolis for seven years; sales for five years at Rochester Ford-Toyota, and five years of sales for Saturn in St. Paul. He and his wife, Hollie, enjoy biking and all outdoor activities with their children, Nikolas and Lily.

 
Jim joined Mills after just over nine years as service director at Tousley Ford in White Bear Lake. He has worked 37 years in automotive in Minneapolis, St. Paul and St. Cloud.

A native of Minneapolis, Jim and his wife, Carol, have three children. They include Shannon Smith, a nurse at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale; Mike Donbroski, assistant service manager at Tousley, and Sarah Donbroski, a junior in marketing and mass communications at Winona State University. There are two grandchildren ages 5 and 2 ½. 

Boating, fishing and golf top Jim’s list of recreational activities outside work at Mills Ford. He also enjoys time with his black lab, “Murphy.”

  
After working as a DJ in the area, Steve started selling cars when he was 20.  He has been with Honda since 1998 in sales and finance. Steve is a 1996 graduate of Shell Lake (Wis.) High School and lives in Baxter with his wife, Nacoal, and their children, Kyler and Kennedee, who are very active in lacrosse, hockey, football and gymnastics.  Steve enjoys music, softball, poker and volunteers for community projects.

 
Dane has worked in automotive since 2008.  He is a native of Brainerd and a graduate of Brainerd High School and Central Lakes College.  Dane has a degree in social work from St. Cloud State University, and is currently working on a degree in organizational behavior/management at the College of St. Scholastica.  He served from 1990 to 1996 in the U.S. Army Reserves as a heavy equipment operator and combat engineer.  For 15 years, Dane was manager of Milender Residential Services, a foster care facility for developmentally disabled adults.  He lives in Brainerd with partner, Cammie, and her daughter, Alexandra, and enjoys fishing, hunting, exercise and poker.

 
Jeff has worked in the automotive industry since 1998 and is Honda certified.  Before joining the Honda staff, Jeff was sales/finance/sales manager at another local dealership.  A 1987 graduate of Brainerd High School, Jeff lives in Baxter with his wife, Cindy, and their four sons, Tyler, Riley, Logan and Garrett.  He enjoys watching his sons’ ball games.  Jeff's favorite relaxation time is having camp fires with family and friends, along with their two dogs, Bailey and Gunner.

 
Kenn started his sales career in Minneapolis with a Sony distributor at age 24.  After 18 years there, he worked three years in sales for another electronics firm and then five years for a food distributor.  In 2000 he moved into automotive sales and has achieved Honda Gold and Silver sales levels.  Born in Duluth, Kenn first moved to Brained in 1955, and graduated in 1968 from the former Washington High School in Brainerd.  He left the area for 15 years, and then returned in 1983.  He and his wife, Mary, a teacher’s assistant at the Early Childhood program in Brainerd, have three sons, Brian of Marco Island, Fla., Tim of Minneapolis and Gregg of Eagan.  Kenn is active in his church and local sports boosters, and enjoys boating, biking and other outdoor activities.

 
Dave is a graduate of Pequot Lakes High School and lives near Cross Lake.  He has a degree in accounting from Brainerd Area Vocational Technical School, and has worked at Honda since 1987.  Dave has attended numerous Honda training schools and seminars, and has 15 years experience in the marine business.  He enjoys hunting, fishing and riding ATVs with friends.