Meet the Staff

Brad's journey is as dynamic as the cars and employees for which he advocates. Born in Alliance, Ohio, he moved to West Frankfort, Illinois, in 1981.  A Frankfort Community High School graduate (Class of '87), Brad's academic path took him from John A. Logan College to SIU-C, where he earned a B.S. in Political Science with a minor in Psychology in 1991, setting the stage for a career built on connecting with people.

Since 1992, Brad has been a part of Marion's automotive scene, climbing the ranks at the Ford Hyundai Lincoln dealership-from salesperson to body shop manager to sales manager and to general manager. His hands-on approach and knack for leadership led him to partner with Mike Absher in 2013 when Nissan of Marion became part of the Watermark Auto Group family. In 2019, his dedication and vision were rewarded when he was named President of the Watermark Auto Group, all while continuing to drive success at Watermark Ford Hyundai and Watermark Nissan of Marion.

When the showroom lights dim, Brad can be found in one of two places, on the golf course or with his family. Married to his best friend, Melanie, since 1991, their partnership has been marked by shared values and lifelong commitment. Melanie, whose career as an English teacher inspired countless students-from her early days in Cobden Unit School District 17 to her long tenure at Marion High School-retired in 2019, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to her students. Their daughter, Mackenzie Poole, MD, MBA, is now making waves in the medical field, completing a dermatology residency at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Whether on the lot, on the course, or at home, Brad's story is one of hard work, genuine connections, and a commitment to excellence-both in business and in life.

I was born and raised in Southern Illinois. I grew up in a "car family" on both the maternal and paternal-side as both of my grandfathers and both parents were car dealers. I started working in the shop as a custodian starting at age 12, and worked at the dealership until graduation from high school.

I graduated Marion (Illinois) High School and then attended the United States Military Academy at West Point New York with the intention of being a career Army officer. I ultimately left the Academy and the Army voluntarily and returned home. As a 48 year old, I wish I could talk to my 18 year old self and take back that decision as I regret not staying and serving my country. That experience though has instilled in me a profound respect for those that have served! I then enrolled in SIU-Carbondale and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship. I worked at the family dealership throughout my college years as a warranty administrator and service writer.

Upon graduation, I was employed as Parts and Service Director, sales manager, used vehicle manager until I left the family company in 2003 to start a software firm named DealerWare LLC selling F&I Menu Selling software to car dealerships. We were very successful and this was the wildest ride of my life. We ultimately were endorsed by American Honda and were in the process of rolling out our software to the Honda dealerships nationwide, when our biggest competitor decided to take me out. And so, they did, and I sold DealerWare in 2006 to DealerTrack, Inc. 

I decided to get back into the business I missed so much and purchased Marion Ford, Inc in my hometown. I have since purchased three other dealerships, in Marion IL, Paducah KY, and Madisonville KY, and that has evolved into the Watermark Auto Group.

I have played the trumpet for nearly 38 years, and enjoy every opportunity I get to play in a brass quintet with some friends from high school and college. I also enjoy woodworking, and have lots of cool equipment that is really dangerous, but I never turn on because I am too busy in the car business.

I have been married for 24 years to Cheryl, who is a licensed non-practicing attorney. We have three sons aged 20, 17, and 13.

I am retired from service on the Southern Illinois Healthcare Board of Trustees and as President of our local school board, and was sworn in as Mayor of my hometown of Marion, Illinois on April 22, 2019.

Chad "Franchise" Weston was born and raised right here in Marion IL. Chad is truly a Watermark Ford of Marion 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 his way up to the position of Sales Manager.  He knows exactly where every 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 is all ears when it comes to his children.  He has a lot to listen to when his daughter, Ellie, starts talking about the cars her daddy sells.  His son, Cutler, is following in his dad's footsteps as Da Bears and Cubs are his favorite teams.

John "Sloneholio" Slone was raised right here in Marion IL. John started his career in the car business here at Watermark Ford of Marion in 2000. He has steadily moved up in titles and became a member of the Watermark Auto Group team in July 2014.  He spends time at his "home base" of Watermark Ford while also helping out at other stores.  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! 

Russ hales from Metropolis Illinois.  I swear he really is Superman!  Russ and his wife Carroll enjoy spending time with all the grand kids, nieces, and nephews and watching the Cardinals whip up on the Cubs. Russ has been in the car business for decades and now serves as our pre-owned acquisitions manager for the entire Watermark Group.  He travels as much as Santa Clause but he only gets 2 days off a week and not 364 days off!

Travis is from Ocala, Florida and now lives in nearby Carterville.  He has been in finance and sales management since 2000.  When Travis isn't here at the dealership assisting our customers in Finance and sales, he enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and boating.  Travis and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Mackenzie and Abby.

Jeff has spent most of his life in Harrisburg and more than half of it in the car business. As a proud father of three "busy" daughters and one granddaughter, there is not much time left for hobbies! Jeff's strong sense of community and genuine concern for the customer is the driving force behind his longevity and success in the car business. 

Originally from Marion, IL, Joseph Biermann has been helping customers find the perfect vehicle since 2012. With over a decade of experience in automotive sales, Joseph brings knowledge, dedication, and a customer-first approach to every interaction.

Outside of work, Joseph is a devoted husband to his wife, Tosha, and a proud father of four. He enjoys spending time outdoors-whether it's swimming, tackling yard projects, or playing games with his family. You'll also find him at the gym nearly every morning, starting his day with focus and energy.

I was born at Williams AFB in Arizona, raised in Camarillo, CA, and currently live in Marion, IL. I have been in the car business since 10/2003. My wife, Merissa, and I have been married for 15 years and have 4 sons, 2 of which are currently serving in the armed forces. I have been involved in sports my whole life. My wife and I are active in Vine Church and we love to travel. 

Michelle is a great asset to Watermark Ford of Marion! She's originally from Marion but moved to California for 23 years before moving back in 2010. She has been in the car business since then, and we are glad she is with us! She enjoys cooking, listening to music and hanging out with her friends and family. She has 3 boys, Noel, Seth and Sean.  Michelle is a record breaker too!  She still holds the mile record at Marion High School and also held the 800 record until just recently.

T.J. Barthelman has been a valued member of the Watermark Ford of Marion sales team for several years. A Marion native, T.J. enjoys serving the community he calls home. Before joining our team, he spent two years detailing vehicles and gained early sales experience in the automotive industry.

Outside of work, T.J. loves attending concerts, staying active through sports, and spending time with friends. He and his fiancée, Jenna, are excitedly preparing to welcome their first child this spring.

Danny is originally from Marion, IL, but now resides in Herrin. He has spent over 20 years in the sales industry and has had a passion for cars and trucks for as long as he can remember. Danny LOVES helping people find their PERFECT vehicle and will ALWAYS go the extra mile for his customers. 

In his free time, Danny's favorite things to do are going to Saint Louis Cardinal games or the Saint Louis Blues - LETS GO BLUES. He also enjoys smoking a fine cigar. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Kathy, and together they have two children and four grandchildren. They have two VERY SPOILED Mini Golden Doodles. 

Danny has had a passion for cars and trucks ever since he can remember. He is thankful to be able to sell vehicles and always goes the extra mile for his customers.

 

A Marion native, Will started his journey with us as a Service Advisor in our Quick Lane department before discovering his passion for helping customers find their ideal vehicles. Now, as our newest Sales Consultant, Will combines his automotive knowledge with a genuine desire to match each customer with the perfect Ford, Hyundai, or pre-owned vehicle. His hometown roots make him uniquely qualified to understand and serve our local community's transportation needs. 

Seth, a Marion Native, began working for Watermark and in the car business for the first time in 2012. He is our photo inventory specialist. His son, Fletcher: keeps him busy and laughing nonstop. On the weekends, when he's not adventuring with Fletch, he travels regionally, playing country music with Murphy 500. 

A proud Southern Illinois native, Tiana brings versatility and dedication to the Watermark Ford Hyundai team. As a valued team member, she skillfully handles diverse responsibilities across the dealership, adapting to new challenges with enthusiasm and professionalism. Outside of work, Tiana cherishes quality time with her family, including her two children, Acadia and Ian, and the family's beloved dog, Jake. Her commitment to both her work family and home life exemplifies the community-focused values that make her an essential part of our team.

Tommy Baker is a product of Marion, Illinois. He has lived here his whole life. Tommy began his career in the automotive repair business right here at Watermark Hyundai in 1986. Since that time, Tommy has become known & loved by customers for his easy going attitude and wealth of knowledge. Tommy can take the worst possible scenario and make it all seem ok. When Tommy is not coming in early or staying late, he enjoys being at home with wife Sue and their children Kyle & Chad. He is also a hunter & fisherman and loves riding his Harley. Tommy is a true asset to our dealership and we are so lucky to have him! 

Joel Barter was born and raised here in Marion, IL., where he has lived for most of his life. He graduated from Marion High School in 2007 and moved to Nashville, TN, to attend NADC (Nashville Auto and Diesel College), graduating in 2008.

Joel started working at Watermark as a technician in our Quick Lane in late 2009. He then moved to the front desk of Quick Lane and worked as a Quick Lane Service Advisor until September 2023. Then, he transitioned to our main service department as our Hyundai Service Advisor. 

In August 2011, he married the love of his life, Jessica Barter. While they have no children of their own, they are currently in the process of adopting two boys, Adan and Nicolas. 

Andrew's hometown is Sesser, Illinois.  After he graduated from John A Logan Automotive School he joined our Quick Lane family before coming to our Ford Hyundai Service Department.  When he's not here working on cars he is spending time with his beautiful daughter Kaylee.

Chandra is originally from Harrisburg but currently resides in Eldorado with her husband, Eric Prather. Together they have a 26-year-old son, Christian, and a 23-year-old daughter, Chaitlyn. 

John calls Johnston City his 'home town', but is now living in Marion. John's first day as a professional service technician was in 1985. He has been fixing cars in the Service Department for 36 years. John is always making the guys back there laugh with his sarcastic sense of humor! When John is not working, he enjoys anything that has to do with cars-the faster, the better! He also takes the motorcycle out for a ride on the weekends. John says the best thing about working at Watermark Ford is the people! 

Ben is our lead diesel technician here at Watermark Ford. He started his career in the QuickLane in 2009 and quickly moved his way up in the service department to become a Master certified technician. He is known for his attention to detail and takes pride in the quality of his work. Ben is an SIU graduate with a Bachelor's in Automotive Technology. He currently lives in Marion with his wife Jenna and his son Nolan. He loves spending time outdoors and camping with his family and his dogs Billy and Maggie.

Aaron comes to us from Carterville, IL. He has been a resident there his whole life. Aaron began his career in the automotive service field in 1999, right here at Watermark Ford. Aaron says some of the best things about working here are learning the new techniques & products as they are developed. He also enjoys helping solve problems for customers. In Aaron's spare time, you find him manning the grill (with a frosty beverage of course!). He will take any challenger in a washer throw game. He also enjoys a trip on his Harley motorcycle with wife, Tracy. 

Clint began working in our Quick Lane while attending SIU for automotive technology.   He then moved to our Service Department and became a certified technicians.  He is married the love of his life, Shantell, and has settled down in Herrin.  When he's not working here or remodeling their home, you will most likely catch him outdoors.... boating or just lounging by the pool...

Joseph currently resides in Hurst. Originally from Herrin, Joseph brings 10 years of automotive service experience with him to Watermark Ford Hyundai of Marion. 

Mikey 'Too Tall' is a native of Creal Springs, though he now makes his home in Marion. Another one of the great guys in our Parts Department, Mike has been with us since 1991. He must have started when he was four… Mike says he gets along with just about anyone and that's what makes working here so enjoyable. Mike's hobbies include golfing and playing with his son Josh. He is also a great husband to wife Ronnette.

Adam is originally from Sullivan, Missouri but currently resides right here in Marion with his wife, Larla, and children, Savannah, Katelyn, 

Ed was raised in Champaign, IL and moved to Goreville in 2001. After finishing high school, Ed was a Diesel Tech in the Army for 8 years. He has been an auto tech for 30 years in a GM dealership, independent garages and performance shops. He has also worked at O'Rieliys for 6 months. 

Zach is from right here in Marion.  He started out as a porter in the service department and quickly worked his way into the parts department with his work ethic and attention to detail.  Anytime we ask Zach to do more, he replies with "no problem, that just one more thing I get to learn how to do!"  We need more Zach's!

We are happy to welcome Hunter Deaton to our Watermark Auto Group family. He is from right here in Marion, IL, and previously worked at Kroger and Menards before joining our team. In his free time, Hunter enjoys playing video games and spending time with his girlfriend and son.

We are excited to welcome Jessica. 

Kay is the heart and soul of Watermark Ford Hyundai.  One of the nice things bout her is, she doesn't have to use the intercom to page someone.  Her voice can be heard all across the campus.  She takes care of so many things for us and she is so absolutely dedicated to her peers and our customers that we are blessed to have her.  She loves taking trips with and to see her children and grand children with her husband Richard.  We love you Kay!

John comes to us from West Frankfort where he is surrounded by his beautiful girls.  He has 3 daughters and is married to his wife Lori.  They keep him very busy with lots of "honey do's".  John started at Watermark Ford as a porter several years ago and through his dedication and hard work he has worked his way up to his current position.  John's greatest asset is his tremendous ability to communicate with our customers.  His dedication to his customers and their satisfaction makes him such a valuable employee.  John is the "grill master".  He can grill just about anything to perfection.  The problem is, he always finishes his plate and never brings us any leftovers!

Donald was born in Central, Illinois and graduated high school from Granite City. In 1980, he joined the military. In 2014 he moved to Southern Illinois, and lives in Herrin with his wife, Florie. Donald has been in the body shop business a long time, his 1st auto body job was in 1977 as a sophomore in high school.

In his spare time, Donald likes to hunt & fish and is a motorcycle enthusiast. He has been married for 26 years and he and Florie have 2 adult children, Rachel & David. They enjoy vacationing in Florida every chance they can get. 

Rickie lives in Herrin but is from Carbondale. He brings years of automotive experience with him and we are so happy he has joined our team. 

Brad lives in Marion, after relocating from his home town of Creal Springs. He has been a big part of our Body Shop for since 1999. He began his career in the car business here with us and he'll tell you the people he works with are what makes his job great. When Brad isn't working, he can be found spending time with his family. He also enjoys Nascar racing on Sundays.

Barry is a Marion native, now living in Creal Springs with his wife, Teresa, and daughter Kaelyn. Barry is almost part of the background here at the dealership. You see, he started his career in the automobile business here in 1985! He is one of the "gentle giants" in our Body Shop and says he loves working for his manager in that department. When Barry is not working, you can find him in the woods or by water. His favorite hobbies include fishing and big game hunting. If it has a tail-it's a target!

Matt has been with the dealership since 2009.  He works in the paint department in the body shop.  Matt has many skills and we are very lucky to have him working with us.  Matt and his wife Keisha live in West Frankfort with their 2 children.

Jon is a member of our Body Shop team. With over 13 years of experience, he is sure to get the job done right! Jon has lived in Carbondale his whole life and has two children Damian and Gracelynn. When not working, Jon enjoys playing with his children and is also into keeping a fit & healthy lifestyle. 

Kenny is on his second tour of duty with the dealership.  His wealth of knowledge in so many areas makes him so valuable to us and our customers.  Kenny previously managed the used car auction, detail department, and also assisted with the used car pre-delivery process.  He has recently been named Quick Lane Service Manager. He loves spending time watching his 3 children.

Jacob Kennedy is from right here in Marion where he lives with his beautiful wife, Daisy. They have two boys, Weston & Ridge, and a dog named Lasso.

Kaleb worked in our sales department before moving into Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center as a Service Advisor and we are excited to have him join our team.

Allen was born & raised in Carterville, Illinois. He ventured into the car business nineteen years ago and has ever looked back. Allen has been a big part of our Service Departments & Quick Lane since 1992! He will tell you that he loves working here because he is getting to do what he is good at - fixing cars! When Allen is not at work, he enjoys relaxing, riding on his motorcycle, and rooting for Da Bears! When he's at home, Allen gets to see his wife, Bren, children, Kelsey & Jordan and grand-daughter, Braelynne.

Meet, Eric! He is originally from Sterling Heights, MI and now resides in Marion, IL. He has been in the car been 4 years now and we are blessed to have him on our team!

Danny is from Freeman Spur but now lives in Marion. He has worked at several Ford dealerships and we are so happy he has joined ours.

Tucker was an Engineering Tech prior to coming to Watermark Ford Hyundai of Marion as a Quick Lane Technician. He is from right here in Marion and enjoys spending time with his family.

Alva was born and raised in West Frankfort. More details coming soon.

David is from right here in Marion, IL. He has worked on vehicles as a mechanic most of his life. In his free time, David enjoys anything outdoors which includes riding motorcycles & four-wheelers. He has a daughter named Stormy, a son named Skyler, and a little girl on the way named Iris.

Jim is originally from the land of Dorothy....Junction City, Kansas.  He now lives in Marion with his wife, Cheri.  When Jim isn't busy detailing hundreds of cars a month, he enjoys fishing and catching a Nascar race.