Meet The Team

Tyler Franzen joined Mills as a Sales Professional on August 12, 2024. With a strong background in sales, Tyler brings valuable experience to his role at Mills, where he is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and driving growth. 

Tyler is a Brainerd native and graduated from Brainerd High School (BHS). He furthered his education at Central Lakes College (CLC), where he developed a solid foundation for his career in sales. 

Outside of his professional life, Tyler enjoys a variety of leisure activities. He is an avid bowler and enjoys hosting and attending BBQs, reflecting his passion for both competitive sports and social gatherings. 

Connor Marichalar joined the Mills team as a Sales Consultant on August 29, 2024. Prior to this, Connor gained valuable experience working as a Sales Advisor at Best Buy and as a National Conductor. Before venturing into the sales field, he worked as a welder, having completed welding and fabrication courses at Central Lakes College in Brainerd and receiving AWS certification. 

Originally from Thief River Falls, Connor and his family relocated to the Brainerd Lakes Area in 2011 when his father began employment at Fort Ripley. They have enjoyed living in the area ever since. Connor graduated from Brainerd High School in 2017. 

Outside of work, Connor enjoys an active lifestyle. In the summer, you’ll find him longboarding, and in the winter, he’s passionate about snowboarding. He also loves listening to both new and classical music, playing video games like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros with friends, and occasionally indulging in hunting and fishing. 

Connor is the eldest of three siblings, with a younger brother, and a younger sister and values his close-knit family connections. 

I grew up in Otsego, Minnesota, and got started in the car business because I truly want to make a difference for people who need vehicles. My goal is to be someone they can trust—someone who makes them feel comfortable when making such important decisions. I’ve been with Mills Automotive Group for about two weeks now and have enjoyed every second of it. What I love most about the sales industry is hearing all the unique stories and backgrounds from each guest. I believe in making every sale personal and take pride in building genuine relationships with every customer. My goals in this industry go beyond personal success; I want every guest to feel like family—welcomed, heard, and valued. Outside of work, I enjoy golfing, fishing, and tossing a baseball or football around. A fun fact about me is that I can play the piano! I’m excited to continue growing in this role, expanding my knowledge in sales, and developing both professionally and personally.

I grew up in the Brainerd and Baxter area and went to high school here. I started working here because I have always been into cars and realized early on that I am good at building quick, genuine relationships. I have been here for less than a month and am excited to learn all the features and small details that people do not always think about, along with developing my sales skills and tactics. I really enjoy the environment at MHB and appreciate how helpful my team members have been in getting me started. My goals are to achieve the best results possible, continue bettering myself every day, and become someone guests feel confident referring to others. Outside of work, I enjoy staying active by skiing at the park, wake surfing in the summer, spending time on the boat, and pretty much any competitive sport. A fun fact about me is that I learned how to do a backflip on the ground this past summer.