Meet Our Staff
Paul Cole
Founder
When Paul purchased the dealership in 1971 at the young age of 25, he was the youngest car dealer in the state of Ohio. It was located at 1230 N Countyline Street as a small, single franchise dealership that was an American motors dealership to start. He started out with 3 employees, one being his sister Peg, as bookkeeper and a part time salesperson. The dealership grew during that first year as did the number of employees from 3 to 8. In 1976 the jeep franchise was added. As growth continued in 1978, the dodge car-dodge truck franchises were added. In the summer of 1980, he purchased the real estate that housed the Chrysler-Plymouth dealership at our current location, 1621 N Countyline Street. About 6 months later, the Chrysler Plymouth Renault franchises along with AMC-jeep-dodge car and truck were all moved. Paul was raised on the family farm in Arcadia with his 12 siblings. He became totally and permanently blind 5 days prior to marrying Sandy. Despite this, he continued to successfully run Paul Cole Motors. Paul was deeply committed to living a life full of integrity, honestly, and professionalism that translated to everything he did. He created strong multi-generational relationships with customers. He was a proponent of the free enterprise system, under which the business was born, grown, and flourished. He achieved high standards of excellence in customer satisfaction and sales satisfaction. During his 22 years in the business he attained multiple awards for excellence. Paul was deeply dedicated to and loved by his family, his Paul Cole Motors family, and the community at large. He was a brilliant businessman and entrepreneur in the community.
Sandy Cole-Cassidy
Dealer Principal
Paul Cole had the car dealership for a year and a half before he met Sandy on a blind date. They were married and had one daughter, Christy. When Paul passed Sandy continued on with great love and strength to support her daughter and the employees of Paul Cole Motors as the dealer principal. She remains dedicated to God, family and work – and in that order. She enjoys the outdoors and birdwatching with her husband, Terry.
Christy Cole
General Manager
Christy is the daughter of founder Paul Cole and Sandy Cole-Cassidy, our current dealer principal. She was born and raised in Fostoria. She has grown up in the industry and has formed many life long professional relationships and friendships. She has a love for classic cars and all things automotive. Christy graduated from Northwood University of Michigan with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Automotive Marketing and Business Management. Go Timberwolves! She enjoys spending time outdoors or near water, as well as long distance biking.
Peg Margraf
Corporate Secretary
Sister of Paul Cole, she started working with him when he first opened the doors in 1971. She was the Office Manager for many years and now works alongside Paul’s daughter, Christy. She likes muscle cars and enjoys being by the ocean and spending time with her grandchildren.
Mike Palmer
Sales Associate
We would like to welcome Mike to our team! He sold Harleys for 3 years and has been an automotive sales representative for the last 4 years. He resides locally and loves the local community he serves. He graduated from Fostoria HS in 1990. He has a son and a daughter. He enjoys playing music in his spare time. Please stop in to see him for all your car buying needs! Customers can ask for the salesmen wearing red shoes.
Elliott Lebay
Sales Associate
Hello, my name is Elliott LeBay. I was born and raised in Fostoria, OH. I graduated from Lakota High School in 2020. I have wanted to be a car salesman since I was a very little boy. My first job was a customer service position. I absolutely loved it! I'm very lucky to be able to wake up and work with the Paul Cole Motor Family everyday! I have a handsome young man, his name is Alec and he is already nearly 2 years old!! I like to play video games and draw in my spare time... and chase Alec around the house. He is fast for a little man.
Jamie Robb
Parts Manager
Jamie is an ASE parts specialist who has been in the auto industry for 18 years. She was born in Toledo and raised in the Van Buren/ Findlay area. She is a graduate of Van Buren High School and Bowling Green State University. Family is her greatest treasure. She enjoys being out doors (camping, hiking and biking). “The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you can not do.”
Mark Hoffman
Reconditioning Technician
Mark Hoffman is a lifetime Fostoria resident. He enjoys going to flea markets and fishing, and has been a Board member of The Cooper Fish Club for 35 years. Mark has been a detailer here for almost 9 years. He enjoys interacting with customers, and has met a lot of good people in the time he has worked at Paul Cole Motors.
Melissa Wilson
Office Manager
Melissa Wilson lives in Fort Seneca. She has her husband of 25 years and they have 3 boys 31, 25, 18 and 3 grandchildren(1 boy 2 girls and 1 grand dog Duke). She loves her family, they mean so much to her. She spend her free time going to the kids events. Her favorite holiday is Halloween and she likes scary movies. She has been in the healthcare field for 30+ years and is exited to start this new journey with Paul Cole Motors. Welcome Melissa!
Joyce Bradford
Title Clerk
Joyce is a lifelong Fostorian, and a St. Wendelin graduate. She resides locally with her husband Larry and her beloved dog, John. Joyce is a talented artist, specializing in paper mediums. She has passed this creativity onto their daughter Shelby, who is the Bradfords pride and joy. She is an innovative organizer, decorator, snd an avid reader. Joyce brings her diverse artistic talents and her effervescent personality to our team, ad we are so excited to explore her fresh ideas!
Clark Holm
Finance Insurance Manager
Clark has been in the car business for over 40 years. He was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN area and is a lifelong Viking Fan. He has been in Ohio for 20 years now and he's become a fan of the Scarlet and Grey BUCKEYES. He as 2 sons who are active duty in the Marine Corps. He is a grandfather of 2 with more on the way. He a bright spot in the dealership and is looking forward to serving the Fostoria community.