Our Team

Since 1922, Mills has built a family tradition of trust through honesty and integrity.  We are a high achieving, results oriented Team who express our individual passions, desires, and drive through our creative and fun energy every day!
We develop mutual, long-term relationships with our Guests and Customers by exceeding their expectations, and creating world class experiences!

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 with both our customers and Team Members. These qualities have carried over from everything my grandfather has done, and into everything my father 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 this same manner to ensure that we have a thriving Team and are exceeding our guest's and 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 a leadership role with all of our businesses. I have been actively working with our companies since I was 15 years old, although I was in 'training' with my Dad for many years prior to that, as I would go along with him on many of his Mills Fleet Farm store checks. I attended Hamline University from 1993-1995 and Northwood University from 1995-1997, upon which time I graduated Summa Cum Laude. After much commitment, energy, focus, and determination, on behalf of my amazing Team and myself, I am now proud to say, that I am the owner and President of our Mills Automotive Group, and am business partners with my Dad! Lifelong dreams do come true! And, there is no one better that I'd want to be business partners with or have learned all I have learned from, than my wonderful Dad!

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:

www.bigleapcoaches.com/midwest-us/

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 experiencing and witnessing on a daily basis! I truly love my Team, and I feel extremely grateful for them each and every day!

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 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.

Sharon moved to the beautiful Brainerd Lakes Area in 1987.  She joined the Mills Team in August 2008. Her career history and experience is in Human Resources and Administration. Sharon and her husband, Calvin, have two grown sons, who fill them with love and pride! Outside of loving her job and her amazing work family, Sharon enjoys her church family, friends, and bio-family including spending quality time at the cabin, on their Harley, fishing, four-wheeling, crafting, and of course participating in and starting shenanigans.

Brady joined the Mills Ford Sales team in September 2003. He was previously with the Mills GM Detail Department since September 1999. Brady grew up in the Brainerd Lakes Area, and he is a graduate of the College of St. Scholastica. When he's not working Brady enjoys biking and spending time with his friends.

Scott worked as an automotive Internet/Lease End Manager in the Twin Cities before joining Mills GM in 2015 as Business Manager. He was promoted to General Manager at Mills GM in 2016 before beginning his current position as Finance Director in 2017. Scott moved to the Brainerd Lakes Area in 2007 and worked for Bar Harbor in Lakeshore and was West Coast Territory Manager for Atomic Learning in Little Falls before joining Mills Automotive Group. He was born in Willmar and grew up in Chanhassen, graduating from Chaska High School in 1992 and earned a degree in Computer Network Administration from Central Lakes College in 2012. Scott currently lives in Brainerd with his fiancé, Veronica, and their two children, Ethan and Hailey. Outside of work, he plays basketball, guitar and piano. Scott also enjoys coaching youth basketball / baseball and loves volunteering in the community.

After working eight years in sales and customer service positions in the Twin Cities, Hillary joined Mills in 2014. She is originally from Brainerd and a graduate of Brainerd High School. Outside of work she enjoys time with family and friends, trips to the Twin Cities and football.

Chad joined Mills in 2014 after working as a senior project manager for Widseth Smith Nolting, Baxter, and for Northway Construction Services, Baxter. For Widseth, he managed projects for Mills Fleet Farm, Mills Indoor Shooting/Archery Range and the new Mills Auto Center dealership in Willmar. He is originally from Braham and a graduate of Westview High School, Braham. He has additional training/certification in erosion/stormwater site management and project supervision. Chad and his wife, Jennifer, have three children, and family lives in Brainerd. He enjoys camping, traveling and exploring.

Previously a loan officer and personal banker for seven years at US Bank, Sean joined Mills in October 2014. He also worked 15 years in automotive sales and sales management, and served three years in the U.S. Army. Originally from Iowa, Sean and his wife, DeeDee, moved to Brainerd in 2000, and they have three children, Seth, Gavin and Avery. The family enjoys camping, fishing, snowmobiling, lake outings, baseball and soccer, with Sean also coaching youth hockey and baseball games.

Airen joined the Mills team in 2022, returning to a familiar automotive focus after serving for some time as Store Manager for BeMobile Verizon in Brainerd.  "I've worked anywhere from fast food, grocery stores, automotive and sales," Airen said, describing his interesting career path.  Growing up in Columbia, MO, Airen attended and graduated from Hallsville High School before eventually finding his way to Minnesota and his current home in Brainerd. Airen and his fiancé Emily became parents and welcomed their son Leo to the world in December 2021.  When he's not working, Airen says he enjoys "going on hikes, working on cars, playing video games, fishing, boating and spending time with my family".

Dawn began working at Mills in 2005, initially answering phones in the Customer Care Center before working her way into management, Sales Trainer and her current position as General Manager of Mills GM.  With over 20 years automotive experience earned, her previous jobs included working in credit, auto insurance and hospitality.  Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, Dawn graduated from Tallwood High School and attended Penn State, later going on to become a NADA Dealer Academy graduate.  Dawn lives in Brainerd with husband Ed, sons Aubrey & Shannon, and their pets Lola, Asia and Ellie (lab and 2 cats).  When she's not working, Dawn enjoys "Live music, beach time, family time, and Minnesota Vikings football" she says with a smile.

Brandon joined Mills in 2017 after working nine years as district manager of five Wendy's Restaurants. Originally from Baxter, Brandon is a graduate of Brainerd High School, Central Lakes College and the College of St. Scholastica. He and his wife, Jackie, have a son, Caiden. Brandon enjoys fishing, bon fires and family time, plus all Minnesota sports.

Ben grew up around car dealerships as his dad and his dad's friends worked at dealerships, but accepting the position at Mills in 2019 was the official beginning of Ben's automotive career.  Most recently serving as the former Director of Operations at Wewinabi, Inc, Ben had been in hospitality and customer service for 18 years prior to joining the Mills team.  He grew up in Champlin, a suburb of Minneapolis, and earned his Bachelor's degree from St. Cloud State University in 2008 and his Masters from The College of St. Scholastica in 2010.  A member of Delta Sigma Pi (a business fraternity for men and women) Ben currently lives in Baxter with his wife Tami, 4 kids and a cat named Larry.  When he's not at work, Ben enjoys watching the Twins, Vikings and Timberwolves, playing sand volleyball, basketball, and camping.

JD joined Mills in August 2014 after previously working in nursing administration and the education department at Essentia Health- St. Joseph's Medical Center. He was also assistant manager for five years at Foot Locker. With a passion for racing, JD has worked in nearly every department at Brainerd International Raceway since 2005, including safety, security, tech inspection and start line. He is a graduate of Brainerd High School and Central Lakes College with degrees in business management and hospitality. JD is an American Heart Association basic life support instructor, Brainerd Area Sertoma Club board member, is serving a term on the Brainerd Charter Commission, and a high school basketball referee with the Lakes Area Officials Assn. JD and his wife, Krystal, live in Brainerd. Besides races at local/area tracks, JD also enjoys golf, fishing, and attending concerts.

Sid painted his first car, a 1963 Impala he called "The Streak", in his dad's dirt floor shop near Frazee.  He was born and raised on the family's dairy farm. Sid is a graduate of Perham High School. He joined Mills in February of 1998. A resident of Pequot Lakes, Sid enjoys summer drag racing, hunting and spearing. He has three children and enjoys time with his grandchildren.

After working in sales and customer service at Herberger's, Barbara joined The BodyWorks in 1999. She is originally from Staples and a graduate of Staples-Motley High School. Barbara is also a graduate of Lowthian College, Minneapolis. She and her husband, John, have two sons, Hunter and Cody. The family lives in Pillager. Barbara loves to cook and quilt, wants to learn a new language, and enjoys time with her dogs, summer at the cabin and fishing on the pontoon.

A long-time veteran of Mills Parts Center, Susan joined Mills in 1994 after previously working at JC Penney's and Manley Auto. She was also a supervisor at Caribou Coffee. "I love work and whatever I do, I do with passion from my heart and I have fun," Susan says. Originally from the Green Lake area near Spicer, Susan is a graduate of Atwater High School. She is busy in the lives of her two children and four grandchildren. Susan also loves dogs and antiques. 

Rob has been with Mills for 32 years. He is currently the acting Parts Director. He enjoys working one on one with our customers to establish strong working relationships. Service is always a priority with our Team! He and his wife, Janice, have a son, Jason and 2 grandsons, Chase and Kolby. Together they enjoy camping, snowmobiling, boating, restoring cars, and spending time together.

Ken observed his 25th anniversary with Mills Parts Center in 2018. He started his automotive career in 1978, and has held in a wide variety of positions getting parts to customers. He is originally from St. Peter, a graduate of Eden Valley Watkins High School, and completed the automotive parts merchandising program at Ridgewater College, Willmar. Ken and his wife live in Cold Spring. They have one daughter. He enjoys woodworking, hunting, fishing, golf and family time.

Rosadene was very excited to join the Mills Parts Center team in 2020, the perfect fit for her extensive career in Customer Service and Technical Support roles and prior automotive experience.  "I have worked on my own vehicles from a young age. From a complete rewire of the wiring harness in my '74 Datsun Pickup to replacing the entire cooling system and Head in a '96 Ford Mustang," Rosadene said.  Prior to joining the Mills team, Rosadene also worked for Tesla assembling battery modules for the Model 3.  She grew up in Sacramento Valley, California and attended Technical Trades Institute earning an Associate's Degree of Occupational Studies, Majoring in Computer Technologies in 1997.  Now living in Maynard, Minnesota, when she's not working she enjoys camping, water sports and spending time with her family including wife Lori, son Zackary, three dogs, two cats and 4 chickens.

Marney joined the administrative/support team at MPC in April 2015, and was promoted to her current position in October 2018. She previously worked at the Willmar Municipal Airport and at Culligan in Benson. Marney is originally from Canby, a graduate of Dawson Boyd High School and currently lives on a farm near New London. She enjoys reading, gardening and time with her son and daughter.

Brian has worked in automotive since about 1987 and joined The BodyWorks Super Collision Center in March 1997. He was an auto body technician there for 21 years, then promoted to his current position in October 2018. Brian was a painter at a bus manufacturer in Faribault and an auto body technician in Crosslake. Brian is a graduate of Rockford Senior High School, Rockford, Iowa, and Central Lakes College, Brainerd, with a degree in auto body technology. He and his wife, Alison, live in Pequot Lakes, and they have two adult children. Brian enjoys hunting, fishing, helping others with construction projects, attending games of his nieces and nephews and coaching youth baseball teams. He was a member of the Pequot Lakes Fire Dept. for 15 years.

Patrick started with MAX in July of 2019, coming from his own freelance company for the past 10 years, prior to that working at a full-service advertising agency.  He's been working in and around all facets of design for business-to-business since the mid-80's, with some time also spent working sporting goods retail.  Patrick grew up in Browerville, a small dairy town in central Minnesota, only a block away from the Land O Lake milk plant.  After graduating from Browerville High School, he attended and graduated from Bemidji State University with a bachelor of science degree majoring in advertising, graphic design and technical illustration with an emphasis on graphics management and print production.  With varied talents and interests, Patrick keeps busy as a MN DNR certified firearms and advanced archery instructor, serves on the Industrial Technology and Advertising Design Board for Bemidji State University and the See Gull Estate property advisory board as president, and volunteers at the Brainerd Family YMCA and Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity.  Now a Brainerd area resident with his wife Julie and son Jacob, when he's not at work Patrick enjoys spending time outdoors, fishing and hunting.