Meet Our Staff

Tenure at C & M: October 1988 Job Title: Owner Top 5 Strengths: Achiever, Arranger, Activator, Maximizer, Learner Education: Hallock High School, B.A. International Business Augsburg College Hometown/Current Residence: Hallock, MN Hobbies: Travel, Fishing, Investments, Podcasts, Adventures, Hip hop dance Family: Kristin wife, 2 adult children Soren and Finn What enjoys about job: the people, both customers and employees. Paul enjoys improving processes, communication and organization and the freedom to spend time with his family. Paul is especially satisfied when he sees employee growth and engagement. He believes that employee satisfaction and engagement is critical and leads to satisfied customers. He realized at a recent Strength's training that the dealership has developed a culture that all employees understand, appreciate and are engaged in their own way. He feels he has accomplished something that he never set out to when he started at the dealership, yet he realized a few years ago that he wanted to accomplish. Paul describes his co-workers as "very caring about customer satisfaction and caring towards one another and thoughtful towards the business. They think of more than themselves. They have a deeper understanding of more than just work and that makes me happy." Goals: develop my leaders and continue with the successes we have had to ensure the health of our businesses for the next generations for longevity. Fun facts about Paul: Paul describes himself as evolving, motivated, curious, reflective and competitive. He's concerned about the wellbeing of those close to him -- his family, employees, customers and community members. He's motivated to make a difference in his community. He gains satisfaction from growth in himself and others and through healthy relationships. Paul worked as a Page at the State Capitol when he was in high school. He loves a great restaurant experience. He once had hair that he even permed. Paul detailed cars at C & M when he was a teenager. He laughs when he tells the story about Myron reprimanding him over the sloppy job he did cleaning cars. From a young age, Paul planned to work in business with a travel or global focus. Paul has run Grandma's Marathon in Duluth and the New York Marathon. The staff at C & M warn other employees not to go to lunch with Paul. "He'll either hire you or fire you."

Tenure at C & M: January 2010 Title: General Manager Top 5 Strengths: Analytical, Strategic, Achiever, Individualization, Includer Education: Lancaster High School, B.S. Computer Science from NDSU Hometown/Current Residence: Lancaster, MN Hobbies: kids, sports, family Family: wife Rebecca and 4 children: Gracie, Eyan, Lauryn and Camryn Enjoys about job: Almost everything - the employees, customers, selling, solving problems. His co-workers are fun to be around and make it easy to come to work. Everyone comes with a good attitude. It is especially satisfying when we are awarded the President's Award or when we receive positive surveys and customers express appreciation. Goals: Keep growing the business with customer service at the forefront. Fun facts about Josh: Josh is hardworking, caring and introverted. He wanted to be an NBA basketball player when he grew up. He and Rebecca own a hair salon in Lancaster.

Tenure at C & M: May 2003 Job Title: Office Manager/Comptroller/Accountant Top 5 Strengths: Empathy, Developer, Learner, Strategic, Activator Education: St. Thomas High School, B.A. Business Mayville State University, Mayville, ND Hometown/Current Residence: Aneta, ND/St. Thomas, ND Hobbies: floral arranging, needlework, crafter, sewing, reading, grandchildren, Yankees, Celtics Family: Husband Bob, 4 grown children and many grandkids Enjoys about job: There is nothing that Mona dislikes about her job. She loves processes and teaching her co-workers. "C & M is the best thing to ever happen to me. Paul is an amazing man - so good to work for." Mona praises her conscientious co-workers, too. "We are a team here. It's been that way for quite awhile. Everyone realizes what they do affects someone else." She likes that everyone cares about each other and that they work well together. She believes that it's the same with the customers, too. She describes the dealership as "one big happy family" and thinks that all the employees want C & M to be #1. She's especially satisfied at month end and year end, everyday when processes work, and when the light goes on when she's teaching one of her co-workers. All these things make her happy to come to work. "C & M is all of our legacy. We should be proud to be a part of it and all that's been accomplished." Goals: Be here for the duration; see success continue and escalate; help support staff grow Fun Facts about Mona: Mona is optimistic. She looks for the good and likes to spread sunshine. Family is very important to her. Mona has worked as a high school teacher; she provided in home daycare and preschool for 16 years; and she owned her own flower shop for 3 years. As a child she moved every March after she turned 8 and she lived in Ohio, Minnesota, West Virginia, Indiana, and North Dakota. Mona wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. She moonlights as a floral designer and plans to spend more time at it once she retires.

Tenure at C&M: June 2001 Job Title: Salesperson Top 5 Strengths: Achiever, Arranger, Responsibility, Maximizer, Individualization Education: Karlstad High School, 2 quarters at U of M, Crookston Hometown/Current Residence: Karlstad, MN/Kennedy, MN Hobbies: fishing, bowling, golfing, hunting Family: His better half of 30+ years, Bonny and 3 adult stepchildren and 3 grandsons Enjoys about his job: This is "the best job I ever had. I love it." He enjoys the customers, the flexibility, and his co-workers. This is not a 9-5. He appreciates having a boss who gives the opportunity to be flexible. According to Richard, C & M is "A great place to work - a great place to buy a car. Everyone knows it's a great place; great people, great customers." Goals: Work another dozen years and continue on. Fun facts about Richard: Richard has lived all over Kittson County. He is honest, likeable, and hard working. Richard has a sharp wit and is street savvy. Before he worked at C&M, he spent many years working in construction.

Tenure at C & M: May 2006 Title: Salesperson Top 5 Strengths: Maximizer, Individualization, Ideation, Relator, Input Education: Milton High School Hometown/Current residence: Milton, ND/Cavalier, ND Hobbies: music, basketball, guitar, snowmobiling Family: 5 children Ashton, Whitley, Andre, Eden and Boone. Enjoys about job: the customers, co-workers, the atmosphere. "I wouldn't trade it for anything." Shawn calls it 'the dealership on the prairie' and a 'friendship dealership'. "We laugh a lot here. I've never worked at a place where I had co-workers like C&M Ford." He describes his co-workers as true friends who would bend over backwards for each other. He is especially satisfied when people express gratitude and being part of a growing dealership. Goals: To expand his clientele reaching younger generations. Fun facts about Shawn: Shawn is big hearted, a moderator or peacemaker, not politically correct or a city person. He loves history and wants peace in North Dakota, Minnesota, the world. He is the middle child of 8. He played in a band for 9 years. C&M is the third car dealership where Shawn has worked. Shawn thought he'd be a country music singer and he also wanted to play basketball in the NBA.

F&I Manager/Sales Tenure: January 2018 Strengths: Consistency, Responsibility, Activator, Competition, Strategic Hometown/Current: Karlstad/ Rural Hallock Jordan has an associate degree in criminal justice from Northland Community and Technical College. Jordan spends his time with his family (wife Dana and 3 daughters), curling, golfing, hunting, fishing, and serving as a volunteer firefighter. He is organized, introverted, stubborn, extremely process oriented, and a planner. Jordan enjoys doing paperwork and interacting with different people and issues every day. He also likes meeting new people, his co-workers, diverse duties (some days he even moves snow!), and that there’s never a dull moment. He never wakes up and doesn’t want to go to work. Jordan wants to keep building his client base and bettering the dealership. Of his co-workers, “I love working with people who have been here a long time. I like learning from them. We all work really well together as a team – service, sales, and parts. This isn’t normal for dealerships.” Jordan is most satisfied when he can help a customer and seeing the look on their face. Little known (or not) fact: Jordan is a Green Bay Packers fan.

Tenure at C&M: July 1990 Job Title: Communications Coordinator/Digital Director Top 5 Strengths: Input, Responsibility, Achiever, Analytical, Arranger Education: Williamsburg Senior High, BA Sociology Augsburg College, MA Sociology University of Manitoba Hobbies: Reading, films, travel, thrifting Family: Husband Paul and adult children Soren and Finn. What do you enjoy about job? I enjoy learning new things and finding the most effective ways to reach people. I love to write and edit, which definitely comes in handy in this job. I also love the comradery amongst the employees. “The atmosphere is so fun and supportive here. Everyone seems to enjoy themselves and each other, while working hard and looking out for our customers.” Goals: Continue to learn and gain more digital, communication and writing skills. Fun Facts: Kristin is from Iowa. She used to work for the Minnesota State Senate and she continues to be involved in politics. She is the published author of Breath of Wilderness: The Life of Sigurd Olson, a children’s book about wilderness advocate and author Sigurd Olson. Kristin serves on numerous local, regional and statewide boards focused on sustainability, conservation, art, and community development.

Tenure at C&M: September 2010 Top 5 Strengths: Achiever, Woo, Communication, Significance, Positivity Education: Lancaster High School, NDSU BS in Sports and Urban Turf Grass Management Hometown/Current Residence: Lancaster/Lancaster, MN Hobbies: Anything that goes fast, racing, cattle, family time Family: wife Jami, 2 children, youngest of 3 - a sister and a brother Enjoys about job: Tim enjoys finding solutions even when it's crazy at work. It's never the same two days in a row. Tim thinks his co-workers are a little bit of everything - excitable people, quiet people, vocal people. "We all fit together really well. We can't all be the same. We are all pieces of the complete pie." Tim is especially satisfied anytime someone thanks us for getting their vehicle fixed. It leaves him with a sense of satisfaction. Goals: "I'm a here and now kind of a person." I want to provide the best life for my family that I can and enjoy coming to work every day. Fun facts about Tim: Tim is talkative, level headed, family-oriented and passionate. He wanted to be a farmer or an engineer when he grew up. He has always loved being outside. Tim has worked as an oil changer, a spray and irrigation tech at 3 golf courses, and as a soft goods salesperson. As loud as he is, Tim still enjoys quiet time. According to Tim, his handwriting is a lost cause.

Parts Manager Tenure: April 2016 Strengths: Consistency, Restorative, Developer, Positivity, Analytical Hometown/Current: Halma. Education: Graduated from Lancaster HS, Received an AA at Northland Community and Technical College. Riley enjoys coaching baseball, playing golf, and curling. He’s single, dedicated, a goal setter, and a leader. He enjoys the atmosphere at C&M, his co-workers, and helping the community. Goals: Just continue to help the community as efficiently as he can. Supply chain issues are the most stressful. Of his co-workers: We are one family. Everyone sticks together, even outside of work. These relationships will last forever. We truly are Family Owned, Neighbor Driven. Ask Riley to tell you about co-worker pranks when he started at the dealership. Riley is especially satisfied any time he can get the job done for something that he’s been waiting on. (Ex, when a part finally comes allowing you to fix a car for a customer.) Little known fact: Riley played a lot of sports. He wanted to be a flagman for NASCAR when he grew up.

Tenure at C & M: June 2013 Job Title: Service Technician Top 5 Strengths: Harmony, Achiever, Arranger, Responsibility, Restorative Education: St. Francis De Sales High School, Murray State U 1 year, U of Louisville 1 year Hometown/Current Residence: Louisville, KY/Hallock, MN Hobbies: Video games, playing the guitar, his daughter Family: Daughter Brooklyn Enjoys about job: Jim likes working with his hands and enjoys challenge. He learns as he works. He enjoys the rapport he has with some customers. He was especially satisfied when he completed his first transmission job. Jim feels the employees work well as a team. Everyone has their role, but are happy to help or answer any questions. Goals: Become master certified like Josh. Fun facts about Jim: Jim is quiet until you get to know him. He's friendly and picks things up quickly. Jim approached Paul about a job after they played basketball together. He had no mechanical training or experience before ending up at C&M Ford. Jim thought he'd be a physical therapist when he grew up. Later, he considered business management.

Tenure at C & M: May 2010 Job Title: Service Technician/Shop Foreman Top 5 Strengths: Achiever, Deliberative, Responsibility, Command, Competition Education: Warroad H.S., Northland Community and Technical College Thief River Falls Hometown/Current Residence: Warroad, MN/Lancaster, MN Hobbies: Gunsmith, tinkering with guns, kids Family: Wife Whitney. 4 children. 1 brother and 2 sisters. Enjoys about job: Josh enjoys solving problems. He likes to figure out what's wrong and then fix it. "As a whole in the shop we understand what is expected of us as individuals. Everyone knows who to go to. Everyone's individual strengths make the team a whole." He was especially satisfied when he achieved his Senior Master title and the dealership hosted a meal in his honor. Fun facts about Josh: Josh is a hard worker. He's quiet if you don't know him. Josh has achieved the highest certification level with Ford - Senior Master Certified. Josh is a twin. When Josh grew up he thought he'd work at Marvin's like his dad. He decided to go to technical school two days before he went.

Tenure at C & M: April 2011 (Hopefully many more, according to Clark) Job Title: Service Technician Top 5 Strengths: Responsibility, Restorative, Self-assurance, Harmony, Context Education: Lancaster High School, Northland Community and Technical College, Thief River Falls Hometown/Current Residence: Lancaster, MN Hobbies: Being at his farm, looking for deer horns, hunting, tinkering and helping his neighbor with his pick-up. Family: Parents and 2 siblings. Partner Fallon and daughter. Enjoys about his job: Clark enjoys the atmosphere at the dealership. Everyone is jolly - there's never a dull moment. He loves when the customers give good reviews and he feels good to be appreciated. Of his co-workers, Clark said you "couldn't ask for a better bunch of guys." Everyone is helpful, great and they think outside the box. He credits his co-worker Josh with establishing the positive rapport in the shop. Goals: Clark would like to finish his Ford training to become a certified master technician. Fun facts about Clark: Clark is honest, hardworking most of the time, willing to learn and stubborn at times. He is a twin. He has never filled out an application for the 3 jobs he's had. In addition to working full-time at C & M, Clark farms with his twin brother. He thought he'd be a farmer or an electrical linesman when he grew up.

Tenure at C & M: September 1999 Job Title: Service Technician Top 5 Strengths: Belief, Responsibility, Adaptability, Connectedness, Includer Education: Humboldt High School, Northland Community and Technical College, Thief River Falls Hometown/Current Residence: St. Vincent, MN Hobbies: Yard work, kids, woodworking projects Family: Wife Judy, 2 adult children Enjoys about his job: Dale enjoys that you "never know what you will get." It's not the same old thing, day in, day out. He likes figuring problems out. For Dale, it's a way to learn. He likes the hands on, seeing the issues to understand them. Dale thinks the group of employees is the best C &M has ever had. "It's a great team in front and in back." Dale appreciates the current pay plan which he credits to everyone helping each other out. Employees no longer fight for jobs, but instead they work together and share tools or pitch in as needed. He is especially satisfied when a job turns out the way he wants it to. Goals: Keep learning Fun facts about Dale: Dale is easygoing and laid back. He wanted to work for his family farm when he grew up, but he realized that the more he worked on the farm, the less he liked it. Dale's grandfather came from Scotland and was the first person in the area to run a steam tractor. Dale worked in Arizona for 15 years in independent automotive shops before moving back to NW Minnesota, where he grew up.

Tenure at C&M: May 1999 Job Title: Service Technician Top 5 Strengths: Arranger, Consistency, Responsibility, Empathy, Includer Education: Kennedy High School Hometown/Current Residence: Kennedy, MN/Hallock, MN Hobbies: the outdoors, snowmobiling, 4 wheelers, hunting and fishing Family: 7 sisters, 1 brother. Enjoys about the job: Chris enjoys making customers happy and getting the job done. His trademark is a thumbs up to the customer when the job is done. "Waking up and coming to work is the best feeling." Chris thinks his co-workers are a very good crew; they all get along and help each other. He was especially satisfied when he accomplished his first big job when he pulled a diesel engine out. The job went well and they shipped the vehicle out the same day. Goals: keep doing what I'm doing. Numbers look good. Fun Facts about Chris: Chris started at the dealership as a detailer. One day Paul approached him and observed, "You don't like your job, do you?" After that Chris learned to be a technician on the job. Before that, he worked for the county for 10 years and for a bird seed farmer for 10 years. Chris is jolly like his mom, a go getter, happy-go-lucky and he gets along with everyone. Chris thought he'd be a hunting guide when he grew up.

Senior Master Technician Strengths: Achiever, Belief, Deliberative, Responsibility, Restorative Tenure at C&M: May 2015 Hometown/Current: Halma

Technician (MOPAR Level 3) Tenure: November 2018 Hometown/Current: Baudette/Lake Bronson Strengths: Harmony, Empathy, Adaptability, Deliberative, Consistency Jerry enjoys traveling, fishing, and spending time with his family. He has a wife and 3 daughters. Jerry is helpful, empathetic, cares about what he’s doing, and does the best he can. He likes to do it slow, but right the first time. He also likes to be a good friend and be the best person he can be. Jerry used to drive truck for Marvin’s. He has also been a mechanic on forklifts and John Deeres. About his job, he enjoys the end result --figuring out the problem and solving it. He appreciates when it’s done, the feeling of accomplishment, and doing a good job. Goals: to learn more and get better at his job. He values the opportunity for improvement. He’d like to be able to take on any task and know how to do it. Jerry would like to travel more as his kids get older. Of his co-workers: They are a close group. “No one dislikes each other. We can work as a team. I might not always enjoy the task, but I like the place. We get along here.” Jerry enjoys hearing from customers when the job went well.

Detailer Tenure at C&M: December 2016 Strengths: Achiever, Deliberative, Relator, Learner, Strategic

Tenure at C&M: December 1985 Job Title: Body Man (Body Technician)/ Body Shop Manager Top 5 Strengths: Belief, Consistency, Deliberative, Achiever, Developer Education: Newfolden High School, Northland Technical College Auto Body 2-year program Hometown/Current Residence: Newfolden or Holt, MN/Hallock, MN Hobbies: Motorcycling, dog Brian, tinkering, old snowmobiles, gardening Family: Single, Dog Brian, 6 siblings What enjoys about the job: Ole likes the accomplishment that comes when he fixes something and it looks decent. He thinks the dealership is lucky to have some young guys now. He described some of his co-workers as intelligent, well mannered, impressive and the best he's ever had to deal with. Goals: Get his garage straightened out. Fun facts about Ole: When asked to describe himself, Ole said "I've got most of my hair." He also added that he was "hardworking in the past." Ole is consistent and follows a routine. Ole always liked to tinker. In high school he participated in a body shop program at the technical school in Thief River Falls. After he graduated, he continued his studies and completed their auto body program. He worked at a body shop in Warren for 8 years, Stephen for a few years and then at the bus plant in Pembina before coming to C & M. If you stop by the Body Shop over the lunch hour it's likely you'll find Ole and Brian grilling hamburgers for customers or staff. Vegetables grow in planters on the sidewalk in front of the building. One customer dropped her car off after hitting a deer and went home with ferns for her garden. A visit to the body shop is an adventure.

Service Technician (Heavy Maintenance & Repair Technician) Tenure: March 2019 Strengths: Focus, Significance, Individualization, Futuristic Hometown/Current: Lancaster In addition to being a Service Technician Noah farms on the side and is busy with his family in 4H and sports. He and his wife, Rustee have 3 kids. Noah is outgoing, hardworking, friendly, easy to talk with, and dedicated. Noah “loves the people here at C&M.” Of his co-workers he said, “We have each other’s backs. We are like a family. Everyone has something they are good at. If you have a problem, you know who to go to.” Noah enjoys the progress of fixing things and seeing the end result. He loves what he does. “I want to come to work and fix stuff every day.” Little known fact: Noah was in the rodeo for a couple of years and has 85-90 head of cattle.

Accounts Manager Tenure: August 2022 Strengths: Achiever, Consistency, Maximizer, Adaptability, Harmony Hometown/Current: Walhalla ND/farm in Hallock. Taylor enjoys horseback riding, ATV rides, and hanging with her kids. She serves on the Kittson County Fair Board and the Eagles Board of Directors. She’s married to Scott and has 2 daughters. Taylor is organized, fun, a planner, and quiet until you get to know her. She loves working with numbers. At C&M, she likes the people and that everyone cares about everybody. She is excited to learn more at work. She’s especially happy when payroll goes smoothly and everyone is happy. Little known fact: Taylor is a barrel racer.

Warranty Advisor Tenure: October 2022 Strengths: Activator, Developer, Positivity, Relator, Ideation

Office Coordinator/Customer Service Champion Tenure: March 2022 Strengths: Learner, Empathy, Developer, Restorative, Discipline Hometown/Current: Edgewood, Kentucky/Hallock Sam has a broad and diverse work background, including retail, a para professional at the school, a maid, church youth director, nursing home CNA, custodian, and grocery store deli clerk. She moonlights as a bartender now. Sam enjoys playing the guitar, reading, puzzles, hanging with her kids, and bartending. Sam is an extraverted introvert or maybe an introverted extrovert. She’s a Virgo; she likes structure and challenging ideas and people. She wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s warm, organized and a safe space for people. Of her job, Sam enjoys that every day is different and that her co-workers like to be there. Sam would like to learn sign language and travel out of state. Of her coworkers they “are genuinely good people who want to help you.” And, "You laugh a lot here at C&M." Little known fact: Sam was runner up for prom queen.

Service Advisor Tenure: September 2022 Strengths: Consistency, Restorative, Adaptability, Developer, Harmony Hometown/Current: Minneapolis/Humboldt Jessie grew up in Minneapolis and graduated with a biology degree at St. Catherine’s in St. Paul. She currently lives in Humboldt with her boyfriend Sam. Jessie enjoys being outdoors, walking the dogs, and taking casual drives to see new things, sunsets, and sunrises. Jessie is outgoing, caring, genuine, talkative , friendly, and she likes to have fun. She described her co-workers as “like a family.” Of her job, she enjoys learning new things and helping customers. Jessie has 2 dogs and a bull python. She was a high school gymnast and coached gymnastics afterwards.

Detailer Tenure: June 2022 Strengths: Achiever, Arranger, Consistency, Responsibility, Adaptability

Light Maintenance and Repair Technician Tenure: January 2019 Hometown/Current: Hallock Strengths: Achiever, Arranger, Consistency, Responsibility, Harmony Hobbies: fishing, hunting, and some other cool things Scott didn’t want to share (so you’ll have to take our word for it). Scott is single, crabby, a storyteller, and he loves jokes. About his job, Scott likes that he does something different every day. “Every day you learn something new.”