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.
  
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.

Ray began his career in the car business in 1988. He joined Mills GM in June, 1997. Ray is a lifelong Brainerd area resident and enjoys NASCAR and tinkering in his garage in his spare time.

Originally from the Milwaukee area, Charles attended the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, where he earned degrees in physical and health education. After moving to Maple Grove following graduation, Charles realized his talents were better suited for the consumer finance industry.  He has been exposed to many facets of the industry as a business manager in automobile dealerships for 19 consecutive years, and has been an underwriter in banking dealing with dealerships throughout the United States for an additional 10 years.”

Charles relocated to Baxter in 2009 in search of a better quality of life and slower pace for him and his family. He also likes challenging golf courses.

Mark has over 23 years of retail sales experience and has been with Mills GM for over  9 years. He and his wife Connie live in Nisswa with their two children Brooke and Brody. Mark and Connie met while both were attending college at Bemidji State University. Mark enjoys spending time with his family in the lakes area.

Mills GM welcomes Rick "Big Country" Schroer back to the Team! Rick's favorite things about working for Mills GM is the Team atmosphere and working with all of the great customers. Rick and his wife, Susan, live in Brainerd with their two daughters, Kirsten (6) and Alexis (2). In his spare time Rick enjoys reading, music and relaxing with his family.

Jim has been in the auto industry since 1995.  He is a graduate of Brainerd Senior High and grew up in the Brainerd Lakes area.  His hobbies include golf, hunting and 4 wheeling.

 

Jamey was born and raised in the Brainerd lakes area, and started his career in the automotive business in 1998. Mills GM has been his home for many years, and he is very grateful for the many wonderful relationships he has made over the years. Jamey still lives in the Brainerd area with his wife Heidi, and their son Rylan. Jamey is an avid walleye fisherman, bow hunter, and enjoys spending time with his family.

Laura was born, raised and graduated in a suburb of Minneapolis, MN (Hopkins). She moved to Alaska in 1986 where she married her husband Terry (also originally from the twin cites area). She started in the car sales business in Alaska in 1986. In 2005 she moved to Branson, Missouri and sold GMC, Buick and Pontiac vehicles there for 4 years and then moved to Brainerd and started here at Mills GM in April 2010. Laura love the outdoors, and enjoys working where she gets the opportunity to be outside. She's a Golden Retriever lover and is going on her 3rd little girl pup. She also loves fishing, biking, jewelry making and interior decorating.

Kelly joined the Mills GM sales team after working 15 years as a respiratory care practitioner. She and husband, Scot, have two children, Paule, and Brock. The family lives in Nisswa. Born and raised in the Iron Range community of Hoyt Lakes, Kelly is a graduate of Duluth Technical College. She enjoys hunting, fishing and hockey.

Brent leads the service team after having worked as a sales and leasing consultant at Mills GM. He was previously general manager at Best Buy in Baxter for nine years. Besides Baxter, his 18-years with the company included positions at stores in Blaine, Edina, Apple Valley and St. Cloud.    He was a psychology student for three years at Viterbo College, LaCrosse, WI, and started working part-time for Best Buy during college.

Brent and his wife, Julie, are both natives of Blaine and graduated from Blaine High School. They have three sons, Cody, Cole and Landon. The family lives in Baxter and is very active in football, hockey and baseball. They also enjoy boating and spending time with friends.

Marilyn has been with Mills since 2001. She has 3 children, Becky, Mike and Fletcher. They are (as she describes) "as wonderful as their mother". Since 2001 Marilyn has been a service advisor, warranty administrator, cashier, dispatcher and self-described mental health psychologist. Marilyn’s favorite part of the job is truly the people she works with and the customers she serves. When not at work, Marilyn enjoys Sunday afternoon picnics, relaxing with the family on the river, and fishing for anything that bites!

Mike Swanson has been in the automotive industry since 1994. He started with Mills in July of 1997 and has worked in the service department since beginning this career. Mike is married to Hollie. They have three daughters, Olivia, Alexis and Ava. In his spare time, Mike likes to hunt, fish and spend quality time with his family.

Jerrad has been working in the automotive industry since 1997 and came to Mills in 2009. Jerrad is married to a wonderful woman Randi and they have three children, Goeffrey, Kaden and Emma. In his spare time he likes to hunt, fish and join his children in all their sporting and extra-curricular activities.

Dave is new to the Baxter area, having moved from Elk River, where his three youngest children attended school, and grew up playing hockey through their school years. He was a coach and player, and is still active playing tennis and golf, along with some fishing.     

Originally from Chicago, Dave moved to Minnesota in 1977, and has worked in automotive since 1975. He has degrees in occupational education and automotive technology from Southern Illinois University. Dave was a factory field representative for General Motors Corp. and Nissan Motors Corp., and has worked as a service advisor and fixed operations director at other auto dealerships.

A self-described 'hometown boy', Mike was born in Brainerd and started with Mills in 1990. His interest in cars dates back to watching his dad in the garage while growing up and attending Brainerd High School. Initially he started in detailing, later working as a service technician for a few years, and service writer for over a decade before making the switch to parts. He and his wife Kim enjoy minature golf, card games, travelling, spending time with children Nicholette & Jazmin, and their 7lb shitzue/miniture poodle Vinny, who dons goggles to tag along for motorcycle rides. Mike chuckles "It's really a sight to see, people take pictures of us all the time".