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Mike Absher
Dealer Principal
I was born and raised in Marion. Apart from living in NewYork while in the Army, I've lived my whole life here. I now live south of Marion with my wife, three boys, 4 dogs, a cat and a host of other critters. I started in the car business part time cleaning the shop when I was 12. I started full-time in 1989. I had a sabbatical from 2003-2006 when I founded a software company that sold software to car dealers. I got back into the car business on 2/1/2007 when my wife Cheryl and I purchased Marion Ford Hyundai.We also own and operate other car dealerships; Bluegrass Honda-BMW in Paducah KY,Marion Chevrolet-Cadillac in Marion, Madisonville Ford-Nissan inMadisonville, Kentucky and Cape Girardeau Hyundai in Cape Girardeau, MO. My only active hobby is playing the trumpet, usually within a brass quintet at First Christian Church in Marion with some friends of mine from high school. I have played the trumpet for 34 years and enjoy it verymuch. I have some inactive hobbies that I hope to resume someday such as woodworking. I would also like to be on a S.W.A.T team, but I am past the maximum age. I still dream about that one though and hope that some municipality will waive the age thing for me, especially since I know the theme song so well. I have three wonderful boys that are active in scouting, fishing, little league baseball, playing with the neighbor boys, digging holes and wrecking ATVs. I am a member of the Marion Community Unit No. 2 Board of Education, and serve on the Finance Committee and Insurance Committee on the board. My wife Cheryl is a non-practicing attorney. She does a terrific job of guiding the boys through their misadventures and making her fourth boy's life (me) a living blessing.
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Brad Poole
General Manager
Brad graduated from high school in West Frankfort in 1987 but, he'll be the first person to tell you that he is from Ohio. Brad still wears Buckeye underoos. They are the underwear that's fun to wear! After high school, Brad attended John A. Logan College and then transferred to SIU, graduating in 1991. Although Brad had never considered selling cars, he found a home at Marion Ford Hyundai. Brad has worked at the dealership since 1992 and has held the positions of Salesperson, Body Shop Manager, and Sales Manager and now he is currently the dealership's General Manager. Brad has never used the phrase "not my job". Ensuring that your employees and customers are happy is Brad's primary goal. Brad has a can-do attitude and he always, always practices forward motion never letting life or any situation discourage him. When Brad isn't working he's mowing, playing sports, watching sports or putting an obligatory beatdown on Mark Vandeveer in golf every Sunday. However, his favorite past time is spending time with his bosses, wife Melanie and daughter Mackenzie.
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Russ Brown
General Sales Manager
It's a bird. It's a plane. It's, it's, Russ Brown! Straight from Metropolis, Russ has been a huge part of Marion Ford since 2007. With twenty-three years of experience in the auto industry, Russ sure knows his way around anything with a steering wheel. When he's not appraising trade-ins here at the dealership, Russ is working hard to make sure that any request for a vehicle is met. Whether it's phone call after phone call, or driving to another state to inspect a vehicle, Russ can get it done! In his spare time, Russ is an avid fisherman. When Russ drops a line, they never get away! He also enjoys Cardinals baseball. The most important things in Russ life are his wife, Carol and son Kyle & grandson Caden.
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John Slone
New Sales Manager
John "Sloneholio" Slone was raised right here in Marion IL. John started his career in the car business here at Marion Ford Hyundai in 2000. Although John's main role is New Sales Manager, he actually has more job titles than anyone at the dealership. From IT to product knowledge to backup finance, if nobody is sure who knows the answer to a question.....it's probably John! Fortunately for Marion Ford Hyundai his customers love him as much as we do. He developed a loyal customer base during his many years as a sales associate now every one of our customers is able meet hime. He and his wife, Somer, and their little girl, Kinley and son, Nolan, are one of the nicest families you'll meet. John is proof that good things happen to good people!
Chad Weston
Used Sales Manager
Chad "Franchise" Weston was born and raised right here in Marion IL. Chad is truly a Marion Ford Hyundai success story. He started washing cars for us in 1997 while attending Marion high school. He worked here all through college and graduated from SIU. He sold cars for many years and now has worked up to the position of Used Sales Manager. He knows exactly where every pre-owned vehicle in our inventory came from and can tell you all about it. He also is great at giving "Weston Words of Wisdom" to the sales associates. At home though, Chad listens to one little voice and that belongs to his daughter Ellie. She is the love of Chad and his wife Brittani's lives. Chad is working very hard to make sure Ellie follows after him with a love of Chicago sports. Da Bears and Cubs are his favorite teams.
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Ron Vaughn
Finance Manager
Ron was born and raised in Marion, IL. Ron was hired two weeks after we opened our doors, way back in 1974. Needless to say, he has been at Marion Ford Hyundai longer than most of us have been alive. Ronnie started out selling cars and continued to do so for over 20 years. He began helping in the finance department about 15 years ago and backed up several business managers along the way. Then in 1999 we realized, that we had the perfect man for the job all along. His wife ,Jane, and two children, Amanda and Blake, have helped him remain sane through so many years in the car business. Even after 35 years in the car business, Ron's number one focus is still his customers. If Ron isn't at the dealership, he's at home yelling at the Nascar car drivers on t.v. every weekend. We really think he believes they can hear him. Ronnie is usually very mild mannered until you suggest in any way that racing is not a sport. Ronnie's dedication to Marion Ford Hyundai and his customers is truly outstanding.
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Jon Wofford
Finance Officer
Jon "Woff" Wofford is a new part of the Marion Ford Finance Team. Jon joined our Sales Team after much success in the radio field. Whenever you meet Jon, ask him to do his "radio voice". Now Jon has just made the jump from Sales to Finance. It's a whole new territory that he's learning very quickly. He is originally from the top end of our state, Woodhull, IL. But, love & marriage brought him down to Marion where he lives with wife Kendra and their three children, Will, Gloria, and Kathryn. When Jon isn't completely focused on his customers or making the entire staff laugh in hysterics, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and worship. His favorite part of being at Marion Ford is the interaction with people all day. Jon, we are so glad to have you |
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Stephanie White
Customer Relations Manager
Stephanie is a life long resident of Marion IL. Stephanie represents everything positive about Marion Ford Hyundai. The words, "not my job; have never been spoken by Stephanie. Here are just some of her roles during her 20+ year tenure: receptionist, title clerk, F&I manager, service manager, human resources manager, customer relations manager, and currently all those things plus acting rental manager. Her willingness to help both the customers and employees makes her one of our greatest assets. When Stephanie gets away from the dealership, she loves spending time with her husband, Brad, and children Braden and Bailey. Stephanie is very active in her church, and loves following Braden's extra curricular activities. We are truly blessed to have Stephanie as the caregiver for the Marion Ford Hyundai family.
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