Mike Absher - Dealer Principal 

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 in 1989 as the valedictorian of my class, and then was admitted to and 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. I then enrolled in SIU-Carbondale and graduated in 1992 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. And then I retired at age 35, for three hours.

I decided to get back into the business I missed so much, and 6 months later to the day 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 21 years to Cheryl, who is a licensed non-practicing attorney. We have three sons aged 16, 13, and 10 who cause little trouble, but are very active and adept at tearing up things of value.

I recently retired from service on the Southern Illinois Healthcare Board of Trustees which is the largest employer in our region with 3300 associates. I serve as the President of our local school board, and enjoy lending my time and talents to all organizations that are crazy or desperate enough to want or need my help.

 


 

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 Watermark Ford of Marion. 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 and COO of Watermark Auto Group.  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 Jon Wofford on the tennis court. However, his favorite past time is spending time with his bosses, wife Melanie and daughter Mackenzie who is attending Saint Louis University.
 
  
Chad Weston - Sales Manager

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 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 family.  He and Brittani have a lot to listen to when their daughter Ellie starts talking about the cars her daddy sells.  Their son, Cutler, is following in his dad's footsteps as Da Bears and Cubs are his favorite teams.


  
John Slone - Sales Manager

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! 
   
Jesse Edwards - Sales Manager

I was born in Florida, spent some time in North Carolina, but Kentucky is where my family is from. I am a Lone Oak High School and Murray State University grad. I am new to Marion but have been with Watermark since 2012. I am happily married to my wife, Meagan. We are members of Seven Oaks Church of Christ in Mayfield, Kentucky. No children yet, but we do have an English Bulldog named Toby and a black cat named Diesel. When I am not at work, Meagan and I enjoy taking the "hot rod" (my old truck) on a cruise to nowhere in particular. 

  
Russ Brown - Inventory Manager


  
Ron Vaughn - Finance 









 
  
Jon Wofford - Finance

If Jon's face or voice seem familiar, you may recognize it from local TV or radio. He came to the car business after 15 years as a television sportscaster. He got his start on TV-3 and was the voice of the Benton Rangers for a few years. He also worked in South Carolina and Nebraska where he covered events like NASCAR, NCAA, NFL and The Masters. He even got to play a round at Augusta National.

Even though Jon was born in Rockford, Illinois he considers Woodhull, Illinois to be his hometown. He grew up on a farm just outside the small town in northwestern Illinois. Jon attended SIU-C where he earned his degree in Radio & Televison.  A diploma wasn't the only thing he got at SIU. He also met his wife, Kendra, who was born and raised in
Marion, where they currently live with their three children, Will, Gloria and Kathryn.

Jon is a huge sports fan! In his spare time he enjoys fishing, hunting, golfing and has even tried his hand at tennis. His favorite team is the Green Bay Packers. He also enjoys hockey. While in Nebraska he actually learned how to skate and played in a men's league (he wishes there was ice in Marion!!!). He is also friends with the coach of the New York Islanders, Jack Capuano.  Jon is also a veteran. He served 7 years in the Illinois Army National Guard where he earned the rank of sergeant while with the 2/123 rd Field Artillery Unit.


  
Travis Hill - Finance

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 or helping at our sister store in Harrisburg, he enjoys traveling, spending time with family and boating.  Travis and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Mackenzie and Abby.


 

Tom Madden - Sales Associate

618-967-2246 cell
tmadden@watermarkauto.com

Tom is originally from California but has lived in southern Illinois since 1993 when he moved here to operate the River Boat Casino in Metropolis, IL. He liked the area so much he decided to reside in Marion and raise his family there. He and his wife Merissa have four grown sons which they are so very proud of and two of them are currently serving in the armed forces. Tom is an accomplished bowler and has three "300 Game" rings that are available for your viewing pleasure if you need proof of his talents. He also still loves to play softball, although he is at least two decades older than the rest of the players!  Tom and Merissa are active member of the Vine Church in Carbondale. We are so very blessed to have Tom on the team and we often refer to him as the "hardest working man in the car business". He is consistently at the top of the sales leaderboard for the dealership and has taken home the Watermark Group trophy on several occasions.


 


Derrick Hobson - Sales Associate



  
Joseph Bierman - Sales Associate

Joseph is from Marion and now lives in Thompsonville.  He has been working in the automotive industry for over four years and is passionate about helping people get the very best vehicle and assisting them when making such a big purchase. At the end of the day, he finds satisfaction knowing that he helped put a car in a person's driveway. Joseph and his wife, Christina, have four children, Alana, Colton, Grayson and Aubrey.  He loves spending most of his time with his wife and children.  They love to ride on their side-by-side on the back roads, trails and at the off road parks.  He also enjoys being outside with his kids and attending their sporting events.
  
Jace House - Sales Associate

Please welcome, Jace!  Born and raised in Benton, Jace is new to car sales, but not a newcomer to cars.  He has been in sales for over 5 years and grew up in his father's full service oil change shop.  Jace enjoys playing the guitar - something he started when he was 12 years old.  We can't wait to hear him play!  He is a single guy with a silky terrier named Lily.  He thinks of himself as a friendly guy and we do, too!
  
Nate Bussler - Sales Associate



  
Pam Brasswell - Sales Associate

 

Andrew Montgomery - Sales Associate

Andrew is Southern Illinois native but he became a world traveler while serving in the military.  We all know that a "dog is man's best friend", but in Andrew's case, "he is dogs best friend".  His love and compassion for dogs allowed him to become a specialist in the service training and handling the K-9 units all over the world.  After his time serving this great nation, he decided to move back to the area and begin a new career in the car business and we are so lucky he chose Watermark Ford Hyundai to do it.  When isn't working, you can find him wearing his "Cheese Head" while watching the Packers on T.V every weekend.  Finally, Wofford has an ally against Weston and all the Bears fans at the dealership.  GO PACK GO!!


  
Tiana Sutton - Sales Associate 

Tiana is originally from Southern Illinois and after living  away for 10 years in the Twin Cities area, has moved back!  We are glad to have her on the Watermark team.  Tiana enjoys spending time Netflix binge-watching with her husband, Doug, and being with her family and friends.  Tiana and Doug have two children, Acadia and Ian, and a cat, Trixi Mama.  


Michelle Laird - Sales Associate



 
Service Manager



     
 
Parts Manager




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