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Meet Our Staff

Click on one of the people below to find out more information.

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  • David Dillon
    President/General Manager
    David Dillon

    Although he claims Salem as his hometown, David has been a fixture in Roanoke and at First Team since 1988.  Initially enticed by the rewarding challenges and opportunity to travel, his time spent in the auto industry has prepared him for how a business should be run.  From the ground floor of a then-small dealership named First Team Hyundai, David has risen in the ranks to helm one of the most successful franchises in Virginia - First Team Auto Mall.  In his spare time, David thoroughly enjoys beach days with wife Robin, their two daughters, and their Cocker Spaniel "Sandy" (named with the beach in mind, of course).





  • Gary Baber
    V.P. Fixed Operations
    Gary Baber

    Gary hails from Norfolk, and he moved to the Roanoke area in 1986. He has been in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has worked with First Team for over 20 of those years. He appreciates the philosophy that First Team has of caring for their customers and employees. He enjoys the beauty of the mountains and the friendliness of the people of the Roanoke area. He enjoys jogging, hiking, traveling with his wife, and hanging out with the grandkids.

  • Marsha Wirt
    V.P. Director of Accounting
    Marsha Wirt

    Marsha is a lifelong native of the Roanoke Valley, and she has been a vital part of First Team Auto Mall since 1988 (when the store first opened as a Hyundai-only franchise).  She enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. 

    Marsha began as the Accounts Payable Clerk and Systems Administrator.  As the company's presence in the Valley grew by adding six more franchises over the next five years, she was promoted several times and is now the Vice President and Director of Accounting for First Team Auto Mall.

  • Rhonda Shepherd
    Human Resources Director
    Rhonda Shepherd
    540-278-1229

    Rhonda is a Roanoke native, and she has lived in the area for most of her life.

    Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, baking, volunteer work and camping, just to name a few.

    According to Rhonda: "My favorite thing I like about working at First Team is the people. We are a very family-oriented organization which is rare in businesses these days."

  • Mike Munsey
    VP of Sales Operations / General Sales Manager
    Mike Munsey

    Mike is from Pearisburg, Virginia, and he has lived in Roanoke for the past six years. He's been married for 30 years, and he has two children and two grandchildren. According to Mike: "To say that I enjoy golf and fishing would be an understatement, but I also like playing cards and spending time with my family when not at work."
     
    Mike has been in the car industry for 25 years, but has been most proud of his time with First Team because of the outstanding teamwork present. "No matter what, everyone here pitches in to do their most to take care of our customers. That level of dedication makes First Team stand out in my long and varied experience in this business."
     

  • Kenny Martin
    Internet Manager
    Kenny Martin

    Kenny is from Winston-Salem, N.C., and he moved to the Roanoke area in 1991. He joined First Team in 1998 with his first job in the automotive industry. Kenny has always enjoyed cars, especially the classics, and fit right in at First Team. Kenny helped create our dedicated Internet sales team and really enjoys assisting our online customers!

    Kenny has a wife, Jennifer; two children, K.J. and Carli; and a Bichon Frise named "Foose." He loves going to the lake with the family, spending time in his garage with his classic cars, and he's an avid Carolina Panthers fan. So give Kenny an email or a phone call -- he would love to hear from you!

     

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  • Mark Straley
    Service Director
    Mark Straley

    Mark came to Virginia over 30 years ago. After several different careers, he settled into the automotive industry and hasn't looked back since. After many years as a service advisor in the Tidewater, Virginia area, Mark moved to Roanoke to become service director at First Team Auto Mall, and he has been here for more than 10 years.

    Moving from the Tidewater area back to the mountains of Roanoke was very rewarding; the fishing, camping, and boating were a big part of Mark's move.  According to Mark: "The Roanoke Valley, the people, the beautiful surroundings is a benefit. People here are very friendly, and I enjoy helping them with their automotive needs."

  • E.B. Padgett
    Parts Director
    E.B. Padgett
    540-278-1255

    E.B. was born in Wytheville, VA, then he moved to Roanoke Valley in 1988.  He loves working with all the people at First Team because of the family atmosphere. He has been married for 30 years to a wonderful lady named Lynda, and he enjoys fishing and being around his family of two dogs and three cats. 

    E.B. has been in the automotive business since 1970, and is a valued member of the First Team family!

  • Eric Thomas
    Prep Manager
    Eric Thomas

    Eric was born in Bassett, Virginia, then a move to Roanoke at the age of three made this his hometown.  He began working as a detailer in 1991 at First Team, and he has been in the automotive industry and with the First Team family for over 17 years.  He quickly worked his way up to a management position as Prep Department Manager.  Eric enjoys working at First Team because of the family atmosphere. 

    Away from his work, Eric enjoys coaching basketball and watching his son and daughter shoot the hoops.

  • Sammy Gunter
    Nissan Senior Service Advisor
    Sammy Gunter

    Sammy lived in Virginia Beach for over 40 years before moving to Appomattox, Virginia. He loves the Roanoke area and its people. He has been in the automotive business for over 40 years and still loves the challenge of the industry. Sammy likes the First Team philosophy: "Take Care Of the Customer." The reason he works at First Team is not only the way they treat customers, but employees as well.  Sammy loves his son, daughter-in-law, special time with his grandchildren, his wife of 42 years, cooking, and gardening. He looks forward to the fall and college football.

  • Bill Ferguson
    Nissan Service Advisor
    Bill Ferguson

    Bill made a big change in 1977 when he moved to Roanoke to continue his education and start his business career.  He's now been in the automotive and trucking industry for over 20 years with stints in service and parts, and his extensive knowledge has been on display at First Team since 2009.  Bill appreciates that First Team will go the extra step to make things right for their customers. 

    Bill has been married for 30 years with two grown children, and his hobbies include golf and working in the yard.

  • Harold Woody
    Hyundai Service Advisor
    Harold Woody

    Harold was born and raised right here in the Roanoke Valley. He grew up around the drag racing and auto parts industry, eventually finding a home in automotive service consulting. With over 28 years of experience, he has been a proud member of the First Team family since 2008. He has a sincere appreciation for the flexibility First Team allows him to have in order to take care of whatever service needs his customers may have, and he respects First Team's commitment to offering the best customer service in the area.  Harold has been married over 25 years to his high-school sweetheart, and he enjoys spending time with her, his children, working out, playing golf, being involved with his church, and the overall serenity of living in the Roanoke Valley.

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  • Ted Arven
    Subaru Service Advisor
    Ted Arven

    Ted Arven began his automotive career in Charlotte, North Carolina. He moved to Roanoke in 2001 to be closer to his immediate family.

    He began working for Subaru in 1988, and then again in 2005 when he joined First Team Auto Mall. Ted enjoys his position with First Team Subaru, and he believes he works with the best customer demographic and product available in today's market.  

    Ted thoroughly enjoys spending time with his family and attending the varied activities available to families and children in the Roanoke area.

  • Horatio Doregos
    Senior Sales Consultant
    Horatio Doregos

  • Dick Eggleston
    Collision Center Manager
    Dick Eggleston

    Dick was born and raised in Roanoke, and he owned a very successful body shop for 21 years in Southwest County. After selling his shop and slowing down, he then decided he wanted to manage again and has been with First Team ever since. What he likes best about First Team is the staff; they treat people the way he wants to be treated. Dick enjoys baseball, snow skiing, swimming, working out, church, and down-time. Most of all, he enjoys time spent with his grandkids, which keep him young, and his cat, Reese!

  • Allen Perry
    Sales Consultant
    Allen Perry

  • Ann Dobrowolski
    Hyundai Service Advisor
    Ann Dobrowolski

    Ann was born in Winchester, Virginia, then moved to Lynchburg in 1982.  She has been working in the customer service field for over 30 years, with 10 years spent in the automotive industry.  Since joining First Team Auto Mall in 2008, Ann not only loves her job, she enjoys making new friends every day while serving her customers.

    As the mother of four and grandmother of one, Ann is certainly kept on the go when not at work.  She loves racing, traveling, and spending time outside.  She is happy to be part of the First Team family!

  • Rick Burke
    Sales Consultant
    Rick Burke

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  • Sonny Widener
    Hyundai Showroom Manager / Sales Consultant
    Sonny Widener

    I joined the First Team Family in January of 2006. Instead of being just a customer for the last 12 years of First Team, I now wish I had joined the family a lot earlier. I enjoy helping my clients get what they want and need. I love music, fishing, riding my motorcycle and spending time with family and friends. I am not only Hyundai certified, but I am also an Equus Champion.

  • Steve Waskey
    Sales Consultant
    Steve Waskey

  • Wayne Lewis
    Sales Consultant
    Wayne Lewis


  • Renae Crook
    Director of Finance
    Renae Crook


  • Eric Hall
    Pre-Owned Vehicle Manager
    Eric Hall

  • Chip Bennett, IV
    Sales Consultant
    Chip Bennett, IV

    I have been at First Team for over a year now. It has been a great pleasure serving out guests and making their car buying experience fun and enjoyable. Outside of First Team, I have a beautiful wife and two amazing daughters. I play the drums for my church praise band, play golf every chance I get. I have bought several cars from First Team before I became a team member and I was treated so well here and I promise you have the same experience or better!

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  • James Brown
    Sales Consultant
    James Brown


  • Steve Deschambault
    Sales Consultant
    Steve Deschambault


  • Guy Hager
    Sales Consultant
    Guy Hager


  • Jason Garner
    Sales Manager, Volkswagen
    Jason Garner

    I grew up in the Roanoke area and have been in the automotive business for over 20 years. I have worked with Volkswagen for over 7 years. I like spending time with my English bulldog, playing golf, watching UVA and the Pittsburg Steelers.

  • Linda Hamelberg
    Sales Consultant
    Linda Hamelberg


  • Daniel Higgins
    Sales Consultant
    Daniel Higgins


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  • Brian Johnson
    Sales Consultant
    Brian Johnson


  • Brandon McCall
    Sales Consultant
    Brandon McCall


    My name is Brandon McCall and I have lived in Roanoke, Virginia all of his life. I have been a First Team Member since 05/02/2011 and believe that honesty is something that starts from within so when I say "Welcome to First Team, how can I help you today", I will give you the most honest presentation I can to help you find the perfect car for you. When I'm not at work I enjoy spending time with my family, skating and swimming.

  • Mike McNeely
    Sales Consultant
    Mike McNeely

    I am a Roanoke native and graduated from Patrick Henry High School. I enjoy playing golf. I am a Dallas Cowboys fan and a Chicago Cubs fan. Recipient of the Nissan Owner First Award of Excellence - Platinum Level & I an Nissan full-line certified for 6 years.

  • Keith Morris
    Sales Consultant
    Keith Morris

    I grew up in Los Angeles California and graduated from Artesia High School in LA. This is my first year in the car business and I love it and I love working with people. In my spare time I love spending time with my kids and wife, bike riding and motorcycle riding - I love the outdoors. Come see me here at First Team Hyundai!

  • Holly Newell
    Sales Consultant
    Holly Newell

    I have been in automotive sales for 1 year. I live in Giles County and I came to First Team because I was so impressed with my own purchase experience that I wanted to be with a company that provided their customers with an honest straightforward, no hassle sales experience.

  • Larry Newsted
    Sales Consultant
    Larry Newsted

    I have been a member of First Team since 2008. I enjoy Nascar and spending time with my family.

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  • Allen Perry
    Sales Consultant
    Allen Perry


  • Bill Scott
    Sales Consultant
    Bill Scott

    I enjoy my family, my dog. surf fishing and restoring old cars. I have been a team member since April, 2011.

  • Jeff Spencer
    Finance Manager
    Jeff Spencer


  • Michael St. Clair
    Sales Consultant
    Michael St. Clair


  • Ben Tatum
    General Sales Manager, Prestige Collection
    Ben Tatum

    I have spent 23 years in the automotive industry. I am a native of the Roanoke Valley, dedicated to giving my clients the best service and making sure if we don't have what you are looking for, I will get for you!

  • Steve Waskey
    Sales Consultant
    Steve Waskey


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  • Charles Poindexter
    Sales Manager
    Charles Poindexter


  • Don Shelton
    Sales Manager
    Don Shelton


  • Dave Wood
    Nissan Commercial Vehicles Director
    Dave Wood

    Dave Wood started in the auto business in 1996. During his time at First Team Auto Mall he has moved through the ranks starting as Sales Consultant, Training Manager, Finance Manager and now serves as Director of Commercial Sales for Nissan's new lineup of commercial vehicles, the "Nissan NV." Dave grew up in the area and went to Lord Botetourt High School. Dave also takes a lot of pride for serving in the United States Army as an M1 tank crew member. Dave enjoys riding his Harley, playing pool and spending time with friends and family.

  • George Thompson
    Internet Sales Consultant
    George Thompson

    I am from Roanoke, VA. I love football, track and staying in shape. I have been in the car business for 6 years and with First Team for 5 years. I look forward to helping you find the right vehicle.

  • Colby Fitzgerald
    Sales Consultant
    Colby Fitzgerald

    I am originally from Bedford, VA where I graduated from Liberty High School. I currently reside with my wife and three kids in Salem, VA. I have currently been in automotive sales for a year now. Along with my full time job, I have been in the Army for 10 years where I am a Staff Sargent serving as a senior instructor. I also attend college full time in education at Liberty University. My hobbies include football, golf and ping-pong. I am a huge Notre Dame and New Orleans Saints fan!

  • Nichole Looney
    Sales Consultant
    Nichole Looney

    Sales Consultant for Subaru and Volkswagen!

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  • Pam Trail
    Sales Consultant
    Pam Trail


  • Lex Brown
    Finance Manager
    Lex Brown


  • Kathey Watkins
    Sales Consultant
    Kathey Watkins


    Nissan Sales Consultant!