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 all of our customers are completely satisfied.

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.

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.

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.

Chris began his career in the automotive business in August, 1994. He joined Mills Motor in October, 1998. Chris is married and just built a new home north of Brainerd in the beautiful lakes area. Chris enjoys fishing and spending time with family & friends.

Tom started with Mills in June, 2003 as a Sales Consultant.  In December, 2003 he joined  the Sales Management team.  He has been in the Ford automotive business since 1994. Tom and his wife Maren have two boys, and in their spare time they enjoy fishing and camping.

Brady joined the Mills Motor 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.

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.

Marilyn joined the Mills team in 1995. She has three great kids and three beautiful grandchildren. When she is not at work she enjoys spending time with family & friends, reading, and likes go on a motorcycle ride as often as possible!

Don has been with Mills Motor 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.

Jim joined Mills in October, 2001 as a salesperson. Prior to that he sold at a GM dealership in Montevideo, MN. Jim and his wife Kim have two children- Justin & Kayla, and live in the beautiful Lakes area. The family enjoys sports year round.

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.

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.

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.

Derek Ostrowski (Diggs) attended Northwest Technical College in Moorhead for Sales, Marketing, and Management. He began his career in the automotive industry in 2000 and has been with Mills Ford since 2003. Growing up in a small town in central Minnesota, Derek understands the importance of small town values. In his free time Derek enjoys nothing more than spending quality time with his daughter, Alayna.

Bob started with Mills Motor in 1975. He began in the Detail department in the old downtown Brainerd location. Bob worked his way up through the Service department from detailing vehicles to be our present day Parts and Service Director of the entire Mills Automotive Group. During his time as a Production Technician, Bob went through all the Ford certified training programs becoming a Senior Master Technician. Bob was a four time winner of the Regional Certified Training Program competition. Bob has been an exemplary employee who has modeled integrity, loyalty, leadership, and #1 customer service throughout the years. Bob loves the outdoors; fishing, hunting, boating, and enjoying nature. He also enjoys spending quality time with wife Carole, their grown children and many grandchildren.

Toby grew up in New Ulm, Minnesota. At the age of 13 he began working with his father at the family Mobil service station. His first jobs were changing oil and tires. Toby used this experience to complete his degree in automotive from Mankato Technical College. For 20 years, Toby worked with his father building a trusted reputation in the New Ulm area. In 2005, Toby began as a technician at Mills GM, later moved to Service Dispatcher at Mills Ford and is currently the Service and Parts Manager. Toby is married to Kateri with two children, Kaia and Hayden. Toby has a passion for motorcycles, is a fan of Frank Sinatra and Jimmy Buffet, and enjoys quality time by the campfire or just skipping rocks at the lake with his family and their dog Chewi.

Tony, who is a native of Brainerd and attended local schools, joined Mills in Sept. 1996. He is a retired 21-year member of the U.S. Army Reserve, having served with the 367th Engineers, Company A, based in Brainerd. He was a mechanic in the military. Tony has two children and a three-year-old granddaughter. He enjoys fishing and four-wheeling.

John’s love of hot rods and classic cars led him to Brainerd in 1980 to attend CLC for Automotive Repair. Upon graduation, John began working at the local GMC dealer, (now Mills GM). John moved to Mills Ford in 1993 and earned his Ford Motor Company Senior Master Technician in 2003. Today John assists customers with their automotive repair needs as a member of the Service Advisor team. John and his wife, Dana are parents of 3 children. The Mattson family enjoys fixing up their 90 year old home in Brainerd as well as spending recreational time on the family farm near Milaca.

Chad first joined the company in March 1999. He was lube/tire manager for three years, then left to study graphic design at University of Minnesota, Duluth. He later returned to the Mills sales staff, and then became a service advisor in 2009. Chad has family in Montana and the Twin Cities. He enjoys poker and playing the drums with local bands, along with keeping up with an eight-year-old son who loves sports.

Joline started in 2001 as a service advisor, then was a customer service representative in the service department.  She has been in her present capacity for six years. She also does warranty work for Mills Ford Jeep and Mills Parts Center in Willmar. A 20-acre hobby horse farm near Ft. Ripley occupies much of her time away from work. The farm features 27 miniature horses, which are 34 inches and shorter. She takes horses to shows and special events throughout Minnesota, the Dakotas, Texas and Oklahoma. Her mother, also a horse lover for many years, helps Joline at the farm.

Charlene Sennewald has worked as a service advisor in the automotive industry since 1997. Charlene joined the Mills team in 2008. A native of St. Louis, Mo., Charlene previously worked extensively in athletics, coaching and competing at the collegiate, high school, and international levels. A special memory for Charlene is her trip to the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. In her spare time, Charlene enjoys her hobby farm near Pine River, raising horses along with an assortment of dogs and cats who have found their way to the farm.

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.

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.