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- Hunter Corporation
- tim.walters@hunterautogroup.com
- 828-694-2522
- 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 Chief Operating Officer at Hunter Corporation.
- Hector Abelairas
- General Manager
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.
- Steve Cohen
- Volvo Sales Manager
Steve has relocated to Hendersonville to join the Hunter family. He was born and raised in Pittsfield, MA. Steve brings over 17 years of experience in the automotive industry. He has been a car enthusiast since his teenage years. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors. During his free time, Steve enjoys watching football, baseball, and car races.
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.
- Nate Derouen
- Business Manager
- 828-693-8661
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
- 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
- Stefan Koerckeritz
- Sales Consultant
- Stefan.koerckeritz@hunterautogroup.com
- We would like to introduce Stefan Koeckeritz, He has worked in Sales/Marketing and hospitality for the last 3 years. Born in Germany; he is fluent in German and Spanish. Graduated from Western Carolina university with B.A in History. Enjoys hiking and exploring nature
- Alex Black
- Sales Consultant
- 828-693-8661
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.
- DeQuavius Foster
- Sales Consultant
- 828-893-8661
DeQuavius has been in the Automotive industry for the last 4 years; a native of Chester, South Carolina. His background is a mixture of years in the entertainment and customer service industry. An avid basketball enthusiast; DeQuavius enjoys his down time with travel and family. A Graduate of Greenville Technical College, DeQuavius has goals to become a Sales Manager in the Automotive Industry. Come by and meet DeQuavius today.
- Brandon Clugh
- Sales Consultant
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.
- Gala Rice
- Sales Consultant
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.
- Rob Maresca
- Sales Consultant
Rob was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He moved to Asheville almost three years ago and immediately fell in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains. He is a trained chef and spent several years in the business before transitioning into banking and commercial real estate ten years ago. Rob enjoys driving his WRX in the mountains during his time off with his faithful Blue Heeler named Walker. Rob enjoys visiting breweries and sampling great food in town!
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
- Ray Metzger
- Service Advisor
- Austin Johnson
- Service Advisor
- Robert Ficker
- Customer Courtesy 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
- 828-210-7668
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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!
- Lety Velazquez
- Valet
- Yalonda Mason
- Valet
Equity Manager
- Laura Lewis
- Equity Manager
- Laura.Lewis@Hunterautogroup.com
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.