Sasha Burgstaler
| What do you do here at Mills? I'm a Vehicle Admin - basically I assist the Finance department. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â How long have you been doing this? I started at Mills in 1997 working as a part-time receptionist. I then moved on to become a full-time receptionist/office clerk (assisting with filing, service, etc.). I worked at Mills GM, Buick of Brainerd / Baxter for a little bit, and then I moved on to work in the field that I'm in now. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â How do you enjoy spending your free time? I love anything with the outdoors - hiking, fishing, you name it! I also have a teenage daughter who does figure skating, so I enjoy watching that as well. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â What's one thing we might not know about you? Hmm I can't think of anything - I'm an open book and wear my heart on my sleeve! Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â What do you love most about Mills? Â I really love the family atmosphere... everyone is warm, friendly and just really connected to one another here! Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Some of My Favorite Things: Color - Purple Music - Everything!! A lot of Oldies/Classics Food - Beer and Cheese Curds Movie - The Cutting Edge Mills Memory - The Grand Opening of Mills GM, Buick of Brainerd / Baxter and the annual company picnic that we used to do - It's hard to pick just one favorite |
| Danny Sargent New Vehicle Sales Manager Mills GM, Buick of Brainerd / Baxter  | Balloon animals... Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Yes, Danny likes to make balloon animals after his busy days assisting Mills customers with financing, appraisals and other details for their vehicle purchase. And Danny's appreciative audience for his creations is his three children, ages 5, 3 and 1. They really like them. He taught himself how to do them after watching some tutorials online. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â With such a love and passion for his family, it's easy to see why Danny really appreciates the Mills family atmosphere. Fellow team members are like a second family. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Since he joined Mills in 2014, Danny's favorite Mills memory is the rocket launching team building exercise at the Vision Day gatherings in July. We got to design, create and launch rockets. It was such a fun day, Danny said. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Some other fun facts... Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The guy who likes to make balloon animals is also an avid opera fan. He loves pizza, too. A Night at the Roxbury or The Boondock Saints would be his selections for movie night. |
| Aaron Haugen Account Sales Representative Mills Parts Center  | After working for Mills for over ten years (seven of which have been spent at Mills Parts Center), Aaron says the thing he loves most about the company is the friendship he's developed with team members, guests and customers alike. He also comes from a family that's been in auto parts, sales and service since the 1950's - a little known fact! Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â On a day off, you'll likely find Aaron outdoors or spending time with his family and friends. He enjoys a good grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup along with watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! Aaron also loves black and gold (Go Wildcats!) and won't pass up a good old rock and roll hair band. |
| Jennie Crowley IT Assistant Mills Automotive Group  | After starting in Mills Customer Care Center over nine years ago, Jennie was quickly moved onto the IT team where she currently assists with program issues, hardware issues and directing team members toward solutions. She loves the team environment here at Mills and loves helping people and making others' jobs easier. Of her many Mills memories, the annual company picnic is by far her favorite. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â In her free time, Jennie enjoys the outdoors and shooting over at the Fleet Farm range where she attends a women's class. Most people would also be surprised to learn that Jennie knows how to play the autoharp! Other fun facts about her include: a love of Mexican food, Christian music and the color red. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Finally, we'd be remiss to mention that Jennie is known fondly as Guppy by her five grandchildren who she loves to spend time with every chance she gets. |
| Mike Voeltz Service Advisor Mills GM, Buick of Brainerd / Baxter  | After almost five years with Mills, Mike says his favorite thing about the company is their customer first business decisions - something he witnesses and takes part in daily as a service advisor.          In his free time, Mike enjoys spending time with his family. He has a 6 year old step son and 9 month old daughter.          Some of Mike's favorite things include: pizza, the color blue, country music, and the movie Dumb and Dumber. |
| Tammy Hanson Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable Supervisor Mills Automotive Group  | What is your job title here at Mills? Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable Supervisor          How long have you been with the company? Almost 4 1/2 years          How do you enjoy spending your free time? I enjoy spending time with my family, my dog Sugar and binge watching TV shows like The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones.          What is one thing we may not know about you? I have a 21 year old daughter named Patience.          Who is someone that has inspired you, and why? I would have to say Ellen DeGeneres because she always ends each of her shows saying, Be kind to one another. I live my life by treating others how they want to be treated. Hearing her say this reminds me to work on this every day. It inspires me to always try to be a better person.          What is your dream vehicle?  I am not sure I have one. I know my next vehicle will be an SUV, but I haven't decided what kind.          What are you passionate about? My job and pursuing my bachelor's degree in accounting          What do you love most about working at Mills? I love the family atmosphere and how friendly all of our co-workers are. It just feels like a great team to be a part of.          Some of My Favorite Things: Music - Top 40, Pop music Movies - Anything horror... I love scary movies! Food - Pizza Mills Memory - It would have to be when we had a tie at one of our quarterly vision meetings. The tie breaker was carrying an egg on a spoon from one end to the other. I was one of the lucky people. |
| Jan Lambert Service Porter Mills Auto Center in Willmar  | What is your job title here at Mills? Service Porter at Mills Auto Center          How long have you been with the company? Almost 2 years.          How do you enjoy spending your free time? I enjoy spending time with my husband, fishing, hanging out with friends, spending time with family, and playing cards.          What is one thing we may not know about you? Nothing really, I'm an open book!          Who is someone that has inspired you, and why? My parents. They have always been encouraging. They taught me great values in life and helped me believe that I can do what I set my mind to.          What is your dream vehicle? Well, when I started working at Mills, I wanted a Toyota RAV4. I now have one and I love it!          What are you passionate about? Outside of Mills, I am an Independent Sales Consultant for Norwex. I'm passionate about reducing the amount of chemicals that are used in our everyday lives.          What do you love most about working at Mills? My co-workers and the atmosphere here. We have a lot of fun.          Some of My Favorite Things: Music - Country, Soft Rock, 80s, Christian Movies - Dramas that make me cry Food - Pizza, Mexican Mills Memory - When I got to drive home from work in my NEW Toyota Rav4! I also started this position part-time, and then was offered full-time which is what I really wanted. |
| Troy Miller Sales & Leasing Consultant Mills GM, Buick of Brainerd / Baxter  | What is your job title here at Mills? Sales and Leasing Consultant          How long have you been with the company? Since April 2015          How do you enjoy spending your free time? With my beautiful Joan and our little Lenex. When you are new parents, your child is all of your free time!!!          What is one thing we may not know about you?  I grew up in Brainerd, but I spent 14 years in San Diego!          Who is someone that has inspired you, and why? My grandfather Leroy. He's the hardest working, most generous person I know. He's also the first one to arrive and the last one to leave when you need help.          What is your dream vehicle? 1967 Chevelle SS convertible          What are you passionate about? Family, cars, fishing, food, food, food...          What do you love most about working at Mills? I love the one on one of car sales. I get to help with the second largest purchase people make... after their house, it's their vehicles.          Some of My Favorite Things: Music - Rock & Roll Movies - Action Food - Pizza Mills Memory - One of my first sales at Mills. I got a hug and teary eyes from a gal who just enjoyed the Mills buying process so much! |
| JD Berns Sales and Leasing Consultant Mills Honda of Brainerd / Baxter  | What is your job title here at Mills? Sales and Leasing Consultant at Mills Honda          How long have you been with the company? Since August 25, 2014          How do you enjoy spending your free time? I enjoy spending time with friends and family, as well as watching and playing all sports.          What is one thing we may not know about you? I have received multiple life saver awards from North Memorial Medical Center, National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association and Take Heart - St. Cloud.          Who is someone that has inspired you, and why? Jerry Braam - He taught me how to be a good leader, how to lead by example on the front line. He's always believed in me and pushed me to be great.          What is your dream vehicle? 1969 Ford Mustang GT500 - silver with black stripes          What are you passionate about? Helping people - I will risk my life to help people whenever they need it and be there for them during their most stressful times.          What do you love most about working at Mills? The family feel of all my team members. I don't have 'co-workers', I have a large 'family'.          Some of My Favorite Things: Music - Country music - Chris Hawkey, High Valley, Toby Keith, Garth Brooks Movies - Anything Comedy. I need a good laugh. Food - Pasta - Put me at a pasta bar and I'm in heaven! Mills Memory - Winning the President's Award |
| Travis Hahn Lead Estimator The Bodyworks Super Collision Center  | What is your job title here at Mills? Lead Estimator          How long have you been with the company? Over 5 years          How do you enjoy spending your free time? Spending time with my wife and daughters, as well as riding my fat-tire bike          What is one thing we may not know about you? I was the first person in Nisswa Legion Baseball History to have hit a homerun and land it on top of The Pickle Factory.          Who is someone that has inspired you, and why? My mom and dad showed me life isn't always easy, but you work through it and positive things happen.          What is your dream vehicle?  The Ford Raptor          What are you passionate about? Living life to the fullest          What do you love most about working at Mills? Being able to work with the greatest team everyday!!!          Some of My Favorite Things: Music - All music with the exception of Pop music Movies - Anything but Horror movies. Just because! Food - Prime rib with baked potato and a Mountain Dew! Mills Memory - Vision Meetings! |
| Josiah Ardoff Production Technician Mills Auto Center in Willmar  | What is your job title here at Mills? Production Technician at Mills Auto Center          How long have you been with the company? Just over 1.5 years.          How do you enjoy spending your free time? Playing guitar, projects around the house, and gaming.          What is one thing we may not know about you? I'm Batman.          Who is someone that has inspired you, and why? My Grandfather. He taught me a strong work ethic and what I earn in life. Money or possessions are meaningless unless they can be shaped or used to benefit those I love.          What is your dream vehicle? 1989 Honda Civic CR-X with an F20B swap.          What are you passionate about? Helping others.          Some of My Favorite Things: Music - Metal, Classic Rock, Blues Movies - Comedy Food - Anything on the grill. Mills Memory - Trips to Chicago for Nissan Training. |
Tyler Blazek          Admin Float Mills Ford Lincoln of Brainerd / Baxter  | Tyler has worked for Mills since March of 2017. She likes to spend her free time at rodeos, hunting, and spending time with her family. An interesting fact you may not know about her is that she does equine (horse) massage. Her first vehicle was a Ford F-350, and her dream vehicle is a Tiffany Blue Ford F-350!          Tyler looks up to her mom, as she is her best friend. Tyler and her boyfriend have a son, Reese. They also have two dogs, a terrier mix and a golden retriever. Tyler owns five horses and loves spending time with them! What Tyler loves most about working at Mills is the atmosphere, nice people, and how helpful everyone is.          Tyler prefers: Fruits over Vegetables Dogs over Cats Coffee over Tea Trucks over Cars Sweets over Salty Brats over Hotdogs Summer over Winter Alfredo over Spaghetti Night Owl over Morning Person          Some of her favorites: The colors turquoise & black, pasta, steak, sweets, wrestling, horseback riding, country music, rock music, and everything in between. |
Marilyn Derosier Service Dispatch Mills GM, Buick of Brainerd / Baxter  | Marilyn has worked for Mills since August of 2001. She enjoys kayaking, fishing the Mississippi River, traveling, and spending time with her family. An interesting fact about her is that she has taught Sunday School for three to four year olds at St. Mathias for over 19 years. She has also been cancer free for 5 years. Her first vehicle was a Chevy Impala, and she really likes the look of the Lincoln MKS.          Marilyn looks up to her Husband, Dan, as he has more patience than anyone she knows. Marilyn lives in Fort Ripley with her husband. She also has three children, Becky, Mike, and Fletcher, along with a dog named Tank. What Marilyn loves most about working at Mills is her fellow team mates, as they are always fun. She also loves the variety of vehicles she gets to see, as it's something new every day, and being able to get to know the guests personally.          Marilyn prefers: Fruits over Vegetables Dogs over Cats Tea over Coffee Trucks over Cars Sweets over Salty Hotdogs over Brats Summer over Winter Spaghetti over Alfredo Morning Person over Night Owl          Some of her favorites: The color red, burgers, banana cream pie, football, classic rock and country music, and the movie The Great Outdoors. Her favorite Mills memory is when she first started, she was 8 months pregnant with her son Fletcher, and he was too young for daycare for the first six weeks so he would come with her to catch up on paperwork. She works with some of the most talented technicians. |
Corey Schroeder Line Haul Lead Mills Parts Center  | Corey has worked for the Mills Automotive Group for 5 Years. He enjoys golfing and going to his sons sporting events. An interesting fact about him is that he has a 4-year degree from St. Cloud State University. His first vehicle was an Oldsmobile.          Corey admires his dad Gary Schroeder because He is the hardest working, strongest person I have ever met. He lives in Kandiyohi with his wife of 18 years Erica and their 2 Sons Kyler and Drew. He enjoys going to their sporting events with both sons being active in Football, Basketball and Baseball. What Corey loves most about working at Mills is the people he works with every day and the Mills Family.          Corey Prefers: Fruits or Vegetables? Fruits Coffee or Tea? Coffee Sweet or Salty? Sweet Winter or Summer? Summer Morning Person or Night Owl? Night Owl Dogs or Cats? Dogs Cars or Trucks? Cars Hot Dogs or Brats? Brats Spaghetti or Alfredo Sauce? Alfredo Sauce          Some of his Favorites: The color purple, Robert Redford dessert, country music and football.          Corey is a real team player with strong family values and a great asset to our team! |
Becky Helm Title Clerk Mills Ford Chrysler and Mills Auto Center Willmar  | Becky has worked for the Mills Automotive Group for 25 Years. She enjoys cooking, baking, and sewing. An interesting fact about her is that from 1973-1976 she was in the US Army Reserves. Her first vehicle was a 1960 brown Rambler and her dream vehicle would be a Lincoln MKZ.          Becky admires her parents for being wonderful role models. Becky lives with her husband Gary of 44 years in DeGraff and together they have 3 children Heather, Tim, and Chris. She also has several grandkids Riley, Draven, Emma, Quin, and watching overhead she has her grandson Tyler. She also has a 4 legged baby which is her beagle Rosie. What Becky loves most about working at Mills is the people she works with.          Becky Prefers: Fruits or Vegetables? Vegetables Coffee or Tea? Tea Sweet or Salty? Sweet Winter or Summer? Summer Morning Person or Night Owl? Morning Person Dogs or Cats? Dogs Cars or Trucks? Cars Hot Dogs or Brats? Brats Spaghetti or Alfredo Sauce? No preference          Some of her Favorites:. The color blue, strawberry desserts, 60's & 70's music, a nice lobster meal, and the movie American Sniper. Her favorite Mills memory would be when she and another team member LaVonne cooked hot dogs in the snow during an event. Becky is such a key role in the completion of daily tasks every day at Mills.          Her peppy personality along with her great sense of humor and get it done mindset are all just a few things that make her so special! |
Cindy (Cynthia) Schriener Cashier Mills Auto Center in Willmar  | Cindy has worked for the Mills Automotive Group since May 2017. She enjoys gardening, reading, jet skiing, bike riding, traveling, and spending time with her family. An interesting fact about her is that she is not only a Grandma but a Great-Grandma. Her first vehicle was a 1979 Ford Thunderbird.          Cindy admires her Mother, Because she raised our family to be supportive of people and each other and taught us that we can do things no matter what. She taught us how important family is and raised 5 kids as a single parent for many years. She provided for us even if it meant she went without. Cindy lives in Willmar with her husband Tom of 35 years. Together they have 2 Children, Jason and Amy, twin grand-daughters, Alexis and Nicolet, and 3 great-granddaughters, Maci, Marley, and Emmy. She was the youngest of 9 siblings, 5 of which live in the area that she spends much of her time with. What Cindy loves most about working at Mills is the people she works with and the guests she continues to meet every day.          Cindy Prefers: Fruits or Vegetables? Both Coffee or Tea? Neither Sweet or Salty? Sweet Winter or Summer? Summer Morning Person or Night Owl? Night Owl Dogs or Cats? Cats Cars or Trucks? Either Hot Dogs or Brats? Brats Spaghetti or Alfredo Sauce? Alfredo sauce          Some of her Favorites: The color blue, pecan pie bars, classic rock music, tacos, pizza, baseball, and hockey. Her favorite Mills memory is in the making since she hasn't worked here very long and gotten to experience a full year in the life of Mills. However, she enjoys each day from the guests, team members, and her job duties.          Cindy is so personable, friendly, and outgoing. Her laugh can easily be heard through the day and she truly engages with each and every guest. |
Suzanne Hedberg Cashier Mills Ford Lincoln of Brainerd / Baxter  | Suzanne has worked for Mills since January of 2017. She enjoys spending her free time hanging with her grandchildren, playing pool, and riding in the Can Am. An interesting fact about Suzanne is that she is a thrill seeker, and she enjoys skydiving. Her first vehicle was a Chevrolet Malibu and her dream car is a Chevrolet Camaro.          Suzanne looks up to her mom, as she is the best person she knows. Suzanne is married with two children, Ron and Melissa. Both of them are married and between the two, she has six grandchildren; Kaylee, Jaden, Callie, Shyla, Chelsie, and Cassie. She also has a house cat named Lucky Lady that is a huge lover. What Suzanne loves about working at Mills are the people.          Suzanne prefers: Fruits or Vegetables? Vegetables Coffee or Tea? Coffee Sweet or Salty? Salty Winter or Summer? Summer Morning Person or Night Owl? Morning Person Dogs or Cats? Cats Cars or Trucks? Trucks Hot Dogs or Brats? Brats Spaghetti or Alfredo Sauce? Spaghetti          Some of her favorites are: the color blue, pasta, cheesecake, football, country music, and the movie Dirty Dancing. Her favorite Mills memory is that she loves getting to know her Mills Team Members every day. |
Connie Thompson Admin Mills Parts Center  | Connie has worked for the Mills Automotive Group since 2013. She enjoys spending time with her grandkids, camping, music festivals, ice fishing, MN Vikings Football, NASCAR, and Dirt Track Racing. An interesting fact about her is that she worked for the FBI in Minneapolis on their administrative team and also that she has met Gerald Ford. Her first vehicle was a 1988 Olds Delta with a 454. Her dream vehicle would be a '66 Ford Mustang in the color red. Same as the one her brother used to have.          Connie admires her Mother in law. She has persevered in many areas in the 30 years since I've known her and went back to school at 50 years old and rocked it!. Connie lives in Willmar with her husband of nearly 30 Years Scott. Together they have 2 children Adam and Ally, and 2 grandchildren Braylon and Arian. They have been active as a family with dirt track racing for about 20 years in the Willmar area. Scott (her husband) was number 24 as well as her son Adam when they raced and Connie worked in the crow's nest scoring each race. Her grandson Braylon has now started go cart racing and the racing life has continued. What Connie loves most about working at Mills is her team. We are AWESOME at MPC!!!          Connie Prefers: Fruits or Vegetables? Fruits Coffee or Tea? Coffee Sweet or Salty? Sweet and Salty Winter or Summer? Winter and Summer Morning Person or Night Owl? Night Owl Dogs or Cats? Dogs Cars or Trucks? Trucks Hot Dogs or Brats? Hot Dogs Spaghetti or Alfredo Sauce? Alfredo Sauce          Some of her Favorites are: the color purple, graham cracker pie, country music, pizza, football, and the movies Days of Thunder or Pure Country. Her Favorite Mills memory is the Rocket Launch team building exercise during team vision day! Connie is a consistent reliable team member always willing to help out the team and pull extra weight when needed. |
Courtney Walton Guest Service Supervisor The Body Works  | Courtney has worked for Mills since October of 2011. She enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with her husband and two year old son. An interesting fact about her is that she was a licensed dental assistant until two years ago, when she had her son. Her first vehicle was a 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier, and her dream car when she was younger was a 1997 Chevrolet Corvette.          Courtney looks up to her mom, as she has an amazing attitude and work ethic, as well as one of the strongest people that she knows. Courtney married her Husband, Jase, in 2011. They then welcomed their son Landyn into their lives six weeks earlier than expected in 2015, and are now expecting their second child in March of 2018. What Courtney loves most about working at Mills are the people. Everyone is always willing to pull together and work as a family/team.          Courtney prefers: Fruits or Vegetables? Vegetables Coffee or Tea? Coffee Sweet or Salty? Sweets Winter or Summer? Summer Morning Person or Night Owl? Morning Person Dogs or Cats? Dogs Cars or Trucks? Trucks Hot Dogs or Brats? Brats Spaghetti or Alfredo Sauce? Alfredo          Some of her favorites are: the color red, Chinese/Japanese food, chocolate lava cake, football, country, rock, and hip hop music, and the movie Armageddon. Her favorite Mills memory is how much she cherished the support that all of the Mills team members were when she delivered her son early and had to be airlifted to the St. Cloud Hospital. |
Chris Isdal Parts Advisor Mills Auto Center in Willmar  | Chris has worked for the Mills Automotive Groups since March 2017. He enjoys fishing and hunting. An interesting fact about him is that his nose was broken twice by a baseball bat. His first vehicle was a 1983 Chevy C-10 Short Box. And his dream car would be a 1977 Chevy K-10 Truck. Gotta love square bodies!          Chris lives in Spicer with his wife Jaime, where they welcomed their first child Presley Rose into their family earlier this year. He also has 2 dogs, Drake a black lab and Winston a chocolate lab.          Chris looks up to his mom and his dad. They both have the never give up attitude and are hardworking people. What he loves most about Mills is the customer interaction. He loves talking to them and helping them get the information and details they need. He can carry a conversation with anyone!          Chris Prefers: Fruits or Vegetables? Fruits Coffee or Tea? Coffee Sweet or Salty? Sweet Winter or Summer? Winter Morning Person or Night Owl? Morning Person Dogs or Cats? Dogs Cars or Trucks? Trucks Hot Dogs or Brats? Brats Spaghetti or Alfredo Sauce? Spaghetti          Some of his Favorites are: the color red, ice cream, country music, football, the movie Grand Torino, and he enjoys eating duck, steak, and pizza. His favorite mills memory is when he was in his last interview and received his current job offer. |
Brandon Gruber Sales and Leasing Consultant Mills GM, Buick of Brainerd / Baxter
| Brandon has worked for Mills since June, 2017. He enjoys spending his free time fishing, bonfires, working in his yard, spearing decoy carving, and bean bag toss. An interesting face about Brandon is that he is a huge sports addict! He enjoys fantasy sports, as well as, watching and keeping up in general is a must for him! His first vehicle was a 2006 Mazda 3, it was brand new and he ordered it! His dream vehicle is a brand new GMC Sierra ½ ton crew cab SLT. Brandon looks up to his wife, as she has a great sense of humor and is always looking at doing what is right even when things get hard to do at work and at home. Brandon is married with his wife, Jackie, for about 8 years. They have a 4 year old boynames Caiden, and a 3 year old yellow lab named Oakley. What Brandon loves most about working at Mills is the team atmosphere and accountability. His number one priority is taking care of his guests. |
Kim Manning  Receptionist Mills Ford Lincoln of Brainerd / Baxter   | Nearly eight years ago, Kim Manning stepped out of her job in a courtroom and judge's chambers and into the receptionist desk at Mills Ford Lincoln in Baxter. She's now the dealership's well-known lead receptionist. Before joining Mills, Kim was a senior court clerk for six years at the Anoka County Courthouse. "It was fast-paced, and I got to work with a variety of cases," Kim said. "You can learn a lot sitting in a courtroom." She is originally from Columbia Heights, a graduate of Columbia Heights High School, and attended Normandale Community College. Kim lives in Baxter with her cat, Bo. She also has a son, Mickey, who lives in Florida. Kim grew up with a dog, Brandy. "When I moved to Brainerd seven years ago, I had one dog and four cats." Four have passed away. Kim's Favorites! Music? Fleetwood Mac Movies? Turner Classic Movies Food? Cheese curds and pizza First car? 1971 Chevy Impala What is your dream car? VW Beetle convertible What do you like to do outside of work? I work in the yard at my parents' cabin on Platte Lake near Hillman. Mowing, raking, painting, building, shoveling is what I do. Who is your inspiration and why? My Dad. He has always had a photographic memory. When I was growing up (and even now) I always wanted to learn as much as he knows. What are you passionate about? Animals! I feel sorry for the dogs and cats that have been mistreated through no fault of their own. You want to show them there is a better life. |
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|  Kelly Peterson Route Representative Manager Mills Parts Center   | Twelve years ago, Kelly Peterson had been a part time receptionist/cashier for about 2 ½ years at Mills Ford Chrysler in Willmar when she was interviewed for a position at Mills Parts Center. She was asked to tell one thing that we should know about you. "I am fun!" she said. Yes, indeed. Kelly is the fun, high-energy, smiling and laughing, hard driving, encouraging, supportive, bigger-than-life personality roaming the MPC warehouse that covers two football fields. How did she get to be such a fun person? "Just lucky I guess," Kelly says laughing. "Life is short. Grab it by the horns and cram as many adventures and fun into it as you can. I don't want to look back with regrets." She started at MPC as an administrative assistant. Soon she was Warehouse Manager leading the 40 Team Members in the trenches who pick, pack, load and unload thousands of automotive parts every day. Today, Kelly is the Route Representative Manager. She oversees MPC Team Members who drive some 25 truck routes and make about 700 deliveries daily to customers within 300 miles of Willmar in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Kelly is originally from Springfield, a community of about 2,500 in Brown County just 65 miles almost straight south of Willmar. She is a graduate of Springfield High School and has an accounting degree from Ridgewater Technical College. Kelly had grown up as the oldest of four children. It was in about 2012 that Kelly's story took a twist. Fast forward, here's how Kelly learned she was really the second of nine children: The youngest sister she had grown up with, Kasi, lived in Baxter with her three children. Two months after her 30th birthday, Kasi committed suicide. About 10 months after Kasi died, Kelly learned that her biological father had passed away. She hadn't seen him since she was about 3. Kelly later received a Facebook message from another daughter of her Dad's. "She reached out to me and we talked about Dad. She wanted to connect, and we did. We are now very close," Kelly said. "That is how I found out I also had four other younger siblings!" Her late grandparents, Norbert and Florence Platz were farmers near Springfield, are Kelly's inspiration. He died in 1995 at 82 and she died in 2007 at 94. "Hard work always pays off," she said was their message. "Be yourself, be happy, love with all your heart and never give up. If you fall down and get hurt pick yourself up and keep going. You will be okay." Her work career includes stops at FSMC in Lake Lillian, and American Welding in Willmar, where she met her husband, Steve. They have three children, Marcus, McKena and Marisa. Kelly was also a day care provider for 10 years in neighboring Blomkest where her family lives today on a five-acre site. She cared for children six weeks to 11. "Even though they are kids and you are the adult, there is a lot you can learn from them," she said. Kelly's Favorites: Music - I pretty much listen to anything, depends on my mood.  Movies - Chick flicks, the Jason Bourne series, you can never go wrong with comedy, but not horror! Food - Not fussy! I will at least try anything once. Clothes - The comfy ones I change into after a long work day. First car - 1994 Ford Escort. Dream car - Not sure, but most likely a truck or SUV so she can sit higher. |
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