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

Management

Craig Questelle, Managing Partner/General Manager
Managing Partner/General Manager
270-821-4100

Originally from Harrisburg, IL, my automotive adventure began in February of 1991 when I became a Zone Manager for Ford Motor Company in the Seattle Region. It was then that I developed a desire to someday operate my own dealership. This dream became a reality in July of 2011 when my business partner, Mike Absher, and I opened Watermark Ford Nissan of Madisonville. I was lucky enough to marry my high school sweetheart, Amy Noah Questelle, 14 years after we graduated. It goes without saying, but she is the single biggest reason I am where I am today. We have two of the most awesome boys in the world, and when I'm not busy at the store, I am spending time with them doing whatever hobby is the flavor of the month. I must also mention my furry son, Captain, who is the biggest Golden Retriever you will ever see. My small-town roots as the son of a coal miner and school teacher, along with my work experience make me strive to provide a customer experience that is unlike any other automotive dealership you have ever visited. This really is like a family and I think you will feel it from the moment you walk in the showroom. Please join me along with our entire team and come see why we say, Don't Buy, Until You Stop By…Watermark Ford Nissan of Madisonville. "

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Brad Poole, President
President

Brad is originally from Alliance, Ohio.  He moved to West Frankfort, Illinois,  in 1981 and graduated from Frankfort Community High School in 1987.   After high school, Brad attended and graduated from John A. Logan College and then transferred to SIU-C and graduated with a B. S. in Political Science with a minor in Psychology in 1991.  Brad has worked at the Ford Hyundai Lincoln dealership in Marion since 1992, and there, he has held the positions of Salesperson, Body Shop Manager, Sales Manager, and General Manager.  In April of 2013, Brad became partners with Mike Absher when Nissan of Marion became a part of the Watermark Auto Group.  In 2017, Brad became the Chief Operating Officer of the Watermark Auto Group while continuing to serve as General Manager of Watermark Ford Hyundai and as a partner at Watermark Nissan of Marion.  In 2018, Brad became a partner in the Watermark Insurance Group with Mike Absher and David Griffin.  Brad has been married to his wife Melanie since 1991, and they have one child, Mackenzie.  Melanie has been an English teacher since 1990, where she started her career in Cobden Unit School District 17.  In 1994, she took a position with Marion Unit 2 at Marion High School and continues to serve as an English teacher at MHS.  Their daughter Mackenzie is a senior at Saint Louis University who will graduate with a bachelor's degree in biology in May and will begin medical school at SLU in August of this year.

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Mike Absher, Chairman of the Board
Chairman of the Board

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.


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Sales

Stephen Ruby, Ford Sales Manager
270-821-4100

You'll never find a more true-blue car guy than our Sales Manager, Stephen Ruby. It's true. Just ask him. In all honesty, this statement encapsulates some of Stephen's favorite things: Big Blue UK Basketball, Muscle Cars, and Making Car Deals Happen! Stephen began his automotive career right here in Madisonville over 10 years ago. It was during that time that he developed the now infamous nickname of Scoob. You'll also have to ask him about that one. The only thing more important to Stephen than cars and UK basketball is his wife, Michelle, and son. He counts spending time with them among his hobbies as well as fishing, four-wheeling and strolling the beaches of Florida at least twice a year.

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Neal Quincy Carver, Sales Manager

Neal is from Sebree, Kentucky and is currently living in Graham. He has been with Watermark since 2011. In his spare time, he enjoys baking cupcakes - and they are seriously the best cupcakes around.

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Megan Moore, Sales Coordinator
270-821-4100

I was born and raised here in Hopkins County. My husband and I recently bought a house right down the road from where we both grew up in Nortonville. We are both glad to be back in our hometown!


The car business is really all I know. I started working for Hudson Auto before they were bought out by Watermark. I started my senior year in high school 2005 answering phones and slowly worked my way up to the position I have now. They worked with my schedule though college where I obtained a Bachelors degree in Human Services and Counseling. I briefly worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters before starting full-time in the office at the Toyota store. In January of 2017 I made the move over here to the Ford Dealership and couldn't be happier! 


My husband and I got married in 2020 and just celebrated our 3rd Anniversary! We welcomed a baby boy in September of 2022! We now have a 13-year-old and a 7-month-old!

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Jesse Wells, Sales Consultant
270-619-5630 (text or call)


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Tommy Prather, Sales Consultant
270-619-1719 (text or call)

Tommy got in the car business, and sold his first car on September 6th 1977. (actually sold 2). He came to Watermark Ford Nissan over 11 years ago and hasn't looked back. 


Originally from Muskogee, Oklahoma, "Pastor" Tommy is our resident spiritual advisor. We're not joking. Tommy has spent several years in full-time ministry, made mission trips to Africa and South America, and 3 years ago traveled to Israel. He's been a Past Board Member of Western Kentucky Teen Challenge. Past Board member of The Madisonville Great banquet. Serving God, serving others that's what life is all about !!! When Tommy commits to something, he is all in. The same holds true for his commitment to his customers. Tommy consistently has one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings within the store. Tommy often says, it's not how many cars you sell, but how many customers you are making happy that is important. His many repeat buyers think the same thing. 


In his spare time, Tommy enjoys golf, and serving the students at FUZED. He has a brother in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and a sister in Tampa, Florida.

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Brandon Belt, Sales Consultant
270-821-4100

I was born and raised right here in Madisonville. I previously worked at DANA Corporation in Henderson KY before moving on to go work at Hopkins County Jail as a Deputy Jailer for just over 3 Years. Then decided it was time for a change and moved over into the car business.


In my spare time I love to golf with my friends, Spend time with my family and I am a huge Los Angeles Chargers Football fan. So you can bet that when Football season is in, I am watching the Chargers games. 


I met my wife Summer while we were in high school, We eventually had our beautiful baby girl Harper on June 20th of 2016. Afterwards Summer and I got married on October 22nd of 2016. 

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Jacob Dooley, Sales Consultant

I grew up in Danville, Indiana and currently live in Greenville, Kentucky. Went to college at Vincennes University and received a degree in Audio Recording. Then moved down here in Kentucky to work with my wife and her family in the coal mines for 4 years before I came to Watermark Ford Nissan in 2019.


Spending time with my wife, Mollee, watching movies and playing video games and different trading card games together. I love living in Kentucky and I love the people that are here. Working for Watermark Ford Nissan has given me an opportunity to make so many friends and hear so many stories and perspectives from the people in this community. This is a truly amazing place to work. 

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Allen Brooks, Sales Consultant


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Finance

Tom Kimmel, Finance Manager

More details regarding Tom are coming soon.

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Service

Allison Geary, Parts & Service Director

Help us Welcome Allison Geary to our Watermark Family! She has just joined the team as our new Parts and Service Director! 


Allison is originally from Island, Kentucky.  Growing up, she went to McLean County High School and graduated in 2009.  After high school, Allison attended Western Kentucky University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.


Allison began her career in the automotive field while in college.  She started as a receptionist at the local Ford dealership in her town and her career advanced from there - Allison has experience in Warranty administration, Service management, and Parts management.  She was very excited to accept the position here at Watermark Ford Nissan as the Parts and Service Director.


Allison currently live in Calhoun, KY. with her two children, Jaxson and Emma. 

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Lisa Vincent, Ford Assistant Service Manager

More details regarding Lisa are coming soon.

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Chad Hughes, Service Advisor

I was born and raised in Island, Ky. I have been in the automotive business for 20 years. In my free time, I love to drag race and spend time with family. I have been married to my wife Cindy for 18 years and we have a son Connor who is 11 years old.

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Kyle Cotton, Ford Master Technician

We are thrilled to congratulate, Kyle on becoming a Ford Master Technician. This accomplishment took years of training and we are so happy for you!

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Dylan Shelton, Technician

More details coming soon.

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Jonathan Plunkette, Service Technician

Jonathan was born and raised in Rabbit Ridge, KY. Prior to coming to Watermark Ford of Madisonville, Jonathan worked at a sawmill. 


In his spare time, Jonathan likes to fishing, riding 4-wheelers and hanging out with friends around bonfires. He has a passion for automotive and has a square body GMC as a project truck with a built engine. He has 3 dogs and enjoys Kentucky basketball.

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Cody Stone, Technician

More details coming soon.

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Jacob Wilkerson, Technician


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Jesse Vancleave, Technician

More details coming soon!

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Daniel Boatwright Jr.., Technician


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Joshua Smock, Technician

We are so happy to have Joshua rejoin our team as a technician. He worked here for 2009-2015. We are happy he is back. More details to come.

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James Burns, Lube Technician


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Cole Dugger, Reconditioning Technician

More details regarding Cole are coming soon.

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Detail

Taylor Cobb, Detail


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Ryan Vaughn, Detailer


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Parts

Aaron Buckner, Parts Manager


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Anthony Johnson, Parts


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Nancy Maddox, Part Advisor

Details regarding Nancy are coming soon!

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Office

Emily Smith, Receptionist/Cashier


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Body Shop

Brian Greer, Body Shop Manager
270-821-4100


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Billy Joe "BJ" Burden, Body Shop Technician

Billy is from Dixon but resides in Nebo. He hasn't ever been in the car business but he has been a factory mechanic for a large engine & transmission manufacturer. He has also worked on lawnmowers and ATVs since he was old enough to ride one. 


In his free time, Billy enjoys fishing, off-roading, karaoke, motorcycles, and drawing. He isn't married and doesn't have children and is a member of the choir at his church.

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Tim Maddox, Assistant Body Shop Manager
270-821-4100


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