Click on one of the people below to find out more information.
Executive Team
- Tom Hunter
- President and CEO - Hunter Corporation
- th@hunterautogroup.com
- 828-694-2521
Tom Hunter graduated from Davidson College in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He then worked for a startup joint-venture between MidSouth Financial and Centura Bank. After several promotions culminating in Vice President, Mr. Hunter was selected to attend UNC's Kenan-Flager Business School and graduated with honors in 1999. Upon graduation, Mr. Hunter worked as a mergers and acquisitions associate for Brookwood Associates, LLC, an investment bank in Charlotte, NC. In 2002, he joined his family's company, Hunter Corporation, Inc. While attending NADA's Dealer Academy, Mr. Hunter worked at all positions within the dealership, from parts counter, sales to sales manager. He is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hunter Corporation.
- Randy Hunter
- Chairman - Hunter Corporation
- randy.hunter@hunterautogroup.com
- 828-309-0304
- Randy Hunter graduated from East Carolina University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In September of 1984 he began his career with Hunter Corporation, Inc. Randy has worked in all departments and has held practically every position at both dealerships, including sales representative, service writer, finance manager, new and used car manager and general sales manager. He has garnered many sales awards from Chevrolet's Legion of Sales leaders and the Truck Honor Club. In 1998 he was promoted to General Manager of Hunter Nissan Lincoln Mercury. The dealership has earned several awards, including Nissan's prestigious Award of Merit. He is currently serving as the Chairman and Visionary of Hunter Corporation.
- Tim Walters
- COO
- tim.walter@hunterautogroup.com
- 828.694.2582
Tim graduated from Indiana University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He then began a career as CFO at LCD, Inc., where he oversaw substantial growth. He went on to become Controller and COO at Penske Automotive Group, where he proactively participated in returning the dealership to profitability by the end of the year. Following this success, Tim moved to Bill Heard Enterprises as Controller & Platform Controller, where he was able to achieve the highest net profits the platform had ever experienced. Similarly, at Prebul Enterprises, Tim was directly responsible for returning the organization to profitability within 8 months. Tim is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of Georgia Society of CPA's. He is currently COO for the Hunter stores.
- Hector Abelairas
- General Manager
- Hector.Abelairas@hunterautogroup.com
Hector is originally from New Jersey. He has recently moved up to WNC from Miami, Florida to join the Hunter team as the new S/H/V/G General Manager. He has been in the automotive industry for over 30 years. Hector is an experienced and well-reputed General Manager. He received a Business Admin Executive Certificate from the University of Notre Dame. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Phoenix.
Sales Managers
- Jacob Ratliff
- General Sales Manager
Jacob, originally from West Virginia, joins the Hunter family with over seven years' experience in the automotive industry. He has been married for twelve years and have two children. Jacob enjoys watching different genres of movies and reading comic books.
- John Pop
- Subaru Sales Manager
John Pop was born in Valparaiso, Chile and moved to Florida when he was two years old. He lived in Florida for several years. He later moved to Arden, North Carolina and graduated from West Henderson High School. Shortly after, he met his beautiful wife. They share two wonderful children. He has worked in the automotive industry for years. John has experience working in service and sales. John and his family enjoy camping and hiking with all three of their German Shepherds.
- Brian Bulis
- Used Car Manager
Brian started his career in the auto industry at Hunter Nissan as a salesperson in April of 2016. He has worked as a salesperson, service advisor, floor manager, and then moved to Hunter Subaru as a sales manager in February of 2020. He is originally from northern New Hampshire, where he worked in the ski industry for over 10 years. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and cycling.
- Devin Smith
- Floor Manager
- devin.smith@huntersubaru.com
- 828.693.8661
Devin was born in Illinois and raised in Hendersonville, NC. He has eight years of experience remodeling. He attended Blue Ridge Community College. Devin is married to his wife Brittany and they share a son, Lincoln. He has two dogs and three cats. He enjoys fishing, guitar and music.
Business Managers
- David Hunter
- Finance Director
- David.Hunter@hunterautogroup.com
- 828-693-8661
David was born and raised in Western North Carolina. He went to East Carolina University for his undergraduate and completed a Master's degree at Appalachian State University.
- Kevin Brazanskas
- Business Manager
Having worked with Hunter Auto Group since 2010 starting in the Sales Department and given the opportunity to be promoted from within the organization to the Finance Department as a Business Manager. I'm originally from northern New Jersey, and moved to the Asheville area in 2005. I enjoy spending time with my 9yr old son Oliver, 11yr old daughter Ila and wonderful girlfriend Jessica, exploring the mountain lakes and outdoors of western NC. As well as living in the moment appreciating the remarkable music scene and local breweries the area has to offer.
- Nathan Derouen
- Business Manager
Nathan Derouen has been serving customers in the car business for twenty years. He is married with two beautiful children. Nathan is passionate about his community. He enjoys going to Church and spending quality time with his family.
- Tony Turbyfill
- Business Manager
- antonio.turbyfill@huntersubaru.com
- 828-693-8661
Tony comes to us straight from the islands of Hawaii. He loves tennis, exotic cars, and playing music. He has been in the automotive industry for over 5 years, from service and sales to finance manager, for different dealers. He loves to motivate and spread positive energy!
Sales
- Gala Rice
- Sales Consultant
- gala.rice@huntersubaru.com
- 828.693.8661
Gala Rice has been in sales at Hunter since 2000 and says "I LOVE SELLING CARS!!" Born in Brevard, she is very involved at Next Church, leads a Healthy Living Exercise and Bible study class. She and her high school sweetheart, Jeff, have been married 27 years and have three wonderful children (Christina, Caleb and Joshua) and two wonderful grandchildren (Sophia and Collin). Gala is an avid runner and has her BA from UNC-Charlotte. Her son and son-in-law are in the US Air Force and her son Joshua is a college student and baseball player.
- Pam Justice
- Sales Consultant
- pam.justice@hunterautogroup.com
- 828.693.8661
Pam Justice has been in the automotive industry 12 years -- since 2004 with Hunter and before was with Sunshine Chevrolet in Arden. She has also been a sales consultant and Internet Sales Manager. She is native to NC, has one daughter and son-in-law along with two granddaughters and one on the way! Her hobbies include teaching Sunday School for 2-5 years, hiking, reading and watching the sunset from her front porch.
- Brandon Clugh
- Sales Consultant
- 828-693-8661
Hello my name is Brandon. I am happily married with four amazing kids. In my free time I enjoy hiking and being outdoors. I also own two Subaru's myself. I have been with the Hunter Subaru team for two years. My goal is to get you the best deal on a new or used vehicle. I am a honest and hardworking family man. I will do absolutely anything in my power to ensure my clients success.
- Stephanie Davis
- Sales Consultant
Stephanie returns to Hunter after taking time off to have her 1st child. When she is not busy at work, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family, especially her baby daughter, Harper. She also loves cooking new recipes, spending time outdoors and getting spooked by a good scary movie.
- Jay VanDeVoorde
- Sales Consultant
- Jay VanDeVoorde is twenty six years of age, born and raised in the state of California. He has multiple certifications and achievements including, employee of the month, forklift certificates, safety training, and CPR. He has four wonderful children and a dog. He enjoys music!
- Garren Darling
- Sales Consultant
- Alex Black
- Sales Consultant
I am a WNC native. I have a 9 year old son named Cayman and reside in Hendersonville. I worked in the cellular market for 5 years before finding my way into the Automotive Industry which I now have been a part of for 2 years. I am a Sales Consultant for Volvo,Hyundai and Subaru. I am enjoy spending time with family and friends.,watching sports, and trying to enjoy life as much as possible. I enjoy helping people to find the right car that fits their budgets and needs.
- Mike Kokindo
- Sales Consultant
Mike is originally from a small town in Massachusetts. Mike grew up in a family business as an automotive technician, where he spent twelve years. He later transitioned into sales. As an avid trail runner, he decided to call Asheville his home. During his free time, he enjoys reading and cooking.
Department Managers
- Kirk Firmin
- Fixed OPS Director
- kirk.firmin@hunterautogroup.com
- 828-693-8661
Kirk Firmin is certified in Lexus, Toyota, Subaru, Nissan, Hyundai, Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles and has worked as an Assistant Parts Manager, Parts Manager and now is our Fixed Operations/Parts Director - all reflective of a growing career of 28 years in the automotive industry. He grew up in the business as his Father owned a Buy-Here-Pay-Here in Tampa, FL. Kirk is married with one child in college and the National Guard. Kirk enjoys riding his motorcycle with his wife through the mountains surrounding Asheville. He also enjoys pets, and has adopted a dog and two cats from the local spca. Kirk joined Hunter in June 2013.
- Will Skinner
- Service Manager
- william.skinner@hunterautogroup.com
Service
- Nate Weikert
- Lane Manager
Nate comes to the Hunter family with 6 ½ years of experience in the automotive industry. Nate recently moved from Greensboro, NC to Hendersonville. We are happy to have him join the Hunter family. Nate enjoys art and music.
- Dolores Asbell
- Service Advisor
- 828-693-8661
Dolores Asbell is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and was born in Ocala. She moved to Brevard in 1979 - like many, from childhood, spent summers in NC and fell in love. Dolores was a paralegal in a law firm for six years and she has been in the automotive industry for 12 years - with Hunter since spring 2016as a Service Advisor. Prior to Hunter she was a Service Advisor and in Accounts Receivable/Payable and a Bookkeeper. She is married, has four children and six grandchildren. She has worked as a volunteer with Compassion International and is a member of the Tim Tebow Foundation. She enjoys hiking with her dogs, Roxy and Rango, swimming, painting and football.
- Ed Izlar
- Service Advisor
Ed was born and raised in Charleston, SC. He has been in the automotive industry for over 25 years, specializing in Subaru's, yet has had versatile experience in sales, service and finance. Ed currently lives with his three cats - Riley, Dooley, and Cassie along with a Husky named Kyra. He is an active member in the community coaching AYSO and Upward youth soccer and basketball as well as working part-time as the choir director for Oak Grove Baptist Church. An interesting fact Ed shared is that his great grandfather, Waldrop, was the surgeon on the railroad after the civil war.
- Taylor Armstrong
- Service Advisor
Taylor was born in Orlando, Florida and grew-up in Lower Alloways Creek, NJ. She has 1 year experience in the automotive industry and 7 years experience in the customer service industry. She was a semi-professional dance for 14 years and is a certified teacher. She recently moved to the beautiful western carolinas with her boyfriend, Jordan, leaving her family in NJ. She enjoys hiking and crafting. She has an 8 month old Australian Shepherd named, Benji.
- Max Bradley
- Express Service Advisor
- Chris Rush
- Express Service Advisor
- John Tiedemann
- Express Service Advisor
- John Tiedemann was born in Fort Hood, Tx and raised on military bases all over. He lived in Lafayette, LA for thirty years. He worked at Begneaud Manufacturing for eighteen years in various positions including, senior estimator, purchasing, and sales. John enjoys golfing and going on cruises. He is a car enthusiast.
- Robert Ficker
- Driver
- 828.693.8661
Robert Finker is a life-long resident of Henderson County. He has been a shuttle driver in the Parts Department with Hunter since summer 2014 - prior to which he was in manufacturing for 34 years rising to Facilities Engineer Manager and a Superintendent. He has a BS in Industrial Engineering. Robert is married with four children. His hobbies include spending time with his family, grand kids, their dogs and the "honey-do" list projects around the house. Something he really likes about his job is being amazed at how our customers find out about Western North Carolina!
Parts
- Vance Garren
- Parts Manager
- vance.garren@hunterautogroup.com
- 828-693-8661
Vance Garren is a southern native born in Asheville, NC. A University of Tennessee alumni; Bachalors in Forest Resource Management. He is avid coin collector of Lincoln Cents and film buff. Vance is family man at heart; come by our Parts Department and meet Vance.
- Makayla Owenby
- Parts Clerk
- makayla.owenby@Huntersubaru.com
- 828-693-8661
Makayla has lived in the mountains her entire life. She loves being outside, enjoying nature, and riding horses. She comes from a very big family and is the oldest of six. She also enjoys hanging out with friends and family.
- Paul Juntunen
- Parts Clerk
- Paul was born in Hudson, Florida and raised in Western Carolina. Paul has experience in the automotive industry.
An interesting fact Paul shared with us is that he has a Venus fly trap he's named Petey.
He also has a cat named Agent Fox Molder.
- Amber Chandler
- Parts Clerk
Amber was born and raised here in the mountains. She loves to write in her free time and spend time outside with her puppy Obi. When shes is not with her puppy, she enjoys family time with her niece and nephew, living my best life as an aunt.
Collision Center
- Austin Dolly
- Collision Center Manager
- Austin was born and raised in Asheville, NC. He has been in the body shop industry since he was a kid, over ten years. He is iCAR certified. Austin enjoys various outdoor activities including, going to the lake, fishing, riding and hiking.
Accessories
- Vin Parish
- Accessory Sales Manager
- vin.parish@hunterautogroup.com
- 828-693-8661 Ext 115
Vin Parish is Volvo Master Certified after being with Hunter just since the spring of 2016! Prior he was in the swimming pool industry for 17 years as a Regional Sales Director, Retail Operations Manager and District Manager. Vin has a daughter who is eleven and one Siberian Husky. He is a member of the Rotary Club and the National Automobile Dealers Association and also involved with NASA, Pokemon League, Rebel Alliance and JLA. Sometimes he just "enjoys doing nothing".
Receptionist
- Linda Gallagher
- Receptionist
Linda was born and raised in Upstate NY. She graduated from Dental Assistant school and pursued a career in the dental field. After having her twins, she decided to raise her children full time. She relocated to the southern states six years ago.
Valet
- Vince Leta
- Lead Valet
- Louis Sosa
- Valet
- Louis Sosa was born and raised in Asheville, NC. He has held several management positions and various industries. Louis is excited to join the valet team at Hunter!
- Yalonda Mason
- Valet
- Lety Velazquez
- Valet
Equity Manager
- Laura Lewis
- Equity Manager
Laura Lewis sold insurance 12 years before coming to Hunter in sales in December 2015. She was a BCBS Manager for Medicare and Medicaid. Born and raised in Camden, SC, WNC is now her home with her wonderful husband of ten years and two OUTSTANDING boys aged 12 and 15 … along with two dogs and cats, 30 fish and all the outdoor creatures who come around to be fed. She enjoys football, swimming and hike our beautiful mountains. "Nothing brings me more joy than helping others, customers and co-workers." She enjoys her chosen career because of the customers and the Hunter family.