Meet Our Staff
Claire Kultgen McDonald
President
Claire is a proud 4th generation BK family member. She started her career at the dealership in the early 90s washing cars, stocking parts, and selling cars in the summer while attending Baylor. After a 5-year career in the aviation industry in Maryland, she moved back to Waco. She spent 12 years learning and preparing for her leadership role at the dealership, before becoming President in March of 2021. Claire and her husband Theo have 2 daughters. In their free time they enjoy outdoor adventures, spending time on Lake Waco, and are members of Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Claire is currently on the board of the Dr Pepper Museum, Chamber, Waco Business League, and TSTC Automotive Advisory Committee.
Mark Stewart
Vice President
Mark started in the car business in 1999 and has a background in sales, finance and insurance, advertising, and dealership management. He joined Bird-Kultgen Ford in 2018 and is best known for his trustworthy sales approach, commercials, and his care and motivation for his dealership team. Mark is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the dealership. He is also a fourth generation Wacoan, having graduated from Midway High School and Baylor University. He and his wife Amanda have two sons, Clayton and Zach. They attend First United Methodist Church of Waco and in their free time enjoy anything sports and cheering on the Baylor Bears. Sic 'Em.
Stephen Crain
General Sales Manager
Stephen is a proud native Texan with over 34 years of experience in the automotive industry. He brings extensive knowledge in both sales and service, making him a valuable asset to the dealership. Outside of work, Stephen enjoys boating, fishing, and spending quality time with his family. He and his wife are proud parents of four grown children and grandparents to six wonderful grandchildren. Stephen’s favorite part of working at BK Ford is the opportunity to help people every day.
Casey Cargile
Sales Manager
Casey is a proud Central Texas native, born and raised in Mexia. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, he began his career in automotive sales in 2007 and has been passionate about the dealership world ever since. Outside of work, Casey enjoys spending time with his wife and three wonderful children. He’s an avid dirt bike rider, golfer, and football fan. His favorite part of working at BK is connecting with customers and helping them find exactly what they need.
Mike Kinser
Sales Manager
Michael joins us after a career at Alcoa. He loves spending time with his 15 year old son. They enjoy watching and playing baseball, football, soccer, and basketball together, and love cheering on the Baylor Bears and Dallas Cowboys. A TSTC graduate, Michael is excited about a new career in sales. He enjoys talking to people and helping them find the Ford that best meets their family needs.
Tim Pietsch
Pre-Owned Manager
Tim's passion for cars began as a child rebuilding projects with his dad. His TSTC degree is in auto body, and Tim worked for Dr Pepper for 11 years before joining BK in 2000. He's been a sales consultant, finance manager, and now manages the pre-owned department. "I love this business, the family that I work for, and I plan on retiring here."
Amanda Lesikar
Business Director
Amanda was born and raised in the Temple Belton area and currently lives in Troy with her husband and daughter. She is a 3rd generation automotive professional, and she was in the 3rd grade when she bought and sold her first car! She graduated from Southwestern University, and in her free time her family enjoys raising their small herd of cattle and spending time outdoors hunting, fishing, and shooting. Amanda likes meeting and helping new people every day, and she loves using her lifetime of automotive experience to help each customer with their unique needs and to get into a new car or truck.
Miguel Contreras
Business Manager
Miguel joined our team in 2016. He enjoys working with and meeting new people every day. When he is not at work, he loves spending time with his wife and daughter.
Rebecca Cantu
Marketing Manager
Rebecca joined our team in 2019 with over 8 years of marketing experience and 4 years of retail management. She and her husband have two active kids and enjoy doing anything outdoors; running, biking, swimming and camping in particular. Rebecca loves being part of the Bird Kultgen team because of the culture and wonderful people.
Andrew Barnett
Sales Consultant
Andrew grew up in Katy, TX and then attended Blinn. He enjoys making people happy and satisfied with their car purchases. In his free time Andrew loves watching the Astros, hunting and fishing, watching rodeos, and music concerts.
DJuandrae “Drae” Powell
Sales Consultant
Drae is Waco native with a large family, he has 5 brothers, 4 sisters, and several nieces and nephews, he enjoys spending time with them outside of work. He is an Army Veteran and excellent cook. He loves being a part of the Bird-Kultgen family and the opportunity to help new people every day.
Drew Chatman
Sales Consultant
Drew is originally from Nacogdoches, Texas and is the youngest of 14 children. He is a wonderful father of 2 girls and loves spending time with them and watching them grow. Outside of BK he is a DJ with his own company that plays events and local venues. He loves working at BK because of all the people he gets to help.
Oscar Lewis
Sales Consultant
Oscar is a Waco native that loves spending time with his family. He has a beautiful wife and three children. Oscar loves working at BK because of the people he meets every day. He likes being able to make people’s day. Outside of work he enjoys watching basketball and football and he used to be a local musician.
Michael J. Knight
Sales
Mike brings 40+ years of experience to our team. Mike is from an Air Force family and has traveled all over the world and lived in the US and Spain. He joined the Air Force and completed a tour in Vietnam, and moved to Waco in 1969. Mr. Knight is a a self proclaimed sports fanatic and loves his Baylor Bears.
Juan Bautista
Sales Consultant
Juan, a Waco native and University High School graduate, is passionate about both his work and his family. In his spare time, he loves teaching his daughter new things and exploring new restaurants. At BK Ford, Juan finds great satisfaction in assisting customers and being part of a team dedicated to excellent service.
Refugio (Cuco) Montelongo
Sales Consultant
Cuco is originally from Weslaco, but recently made the move to Waco. He loves staying active and spending time with his girlfriend. Cuco is a huge car enthusiast, so in his free time, he enjoys attending car meets. He’s eager to connect with fellow car lovers and help people find the car of their dreams.
Dustin Stiver
Sales Consultant
Dustin is from Waco and a proud graduate of Midway High School. He’s married with a daughter and a son, and loves spending time with his family and friends. Before joining the sales team, Dustin worked as a mechanic, giving him a strong technical background that helps him better serve his customers. He enjoys his career in sales because he loves meeting new people and seeing their smiling faces after a purchase.
Chris Hopkins
Sales Consultant
Chris, a Waco native and Midway High School graduate, enjoys building relationships through his career—meeting new people and helping them with their purchases. Outside of work, he values giving back to the community, spending time with his wife and son, grilling, and being outdoors. In his spare time, Chris enjoys attending car shows and building with Legos.
Stephanie Mirage
HR Coordinator
Stephanie is a proud Robinson native and graduate of Robinson High School. She’s married with four children— all proud Robinson Rockets—along with several beloved four-legged companions and two granddogs. Known for her helpful spirit, Stephanie enjoys making a difference for others and cherishes every moment spent with her family and fur babies.
Lauren Evans
Accounts Payable and Receivable
Lauren, a Waco native with deep community ties, graduated from Baylor University in 2022. She is currently immersed in learning all about accounting and is enthusiastic about her career. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys quality moments with family and friends.
Angela Bailey
Title Specialist
Born and raised in Waco, Texas, Angela is a proud graduate of Midway High School and Tarleton State University. She has been married to her husband, Chris, for 16 years, and together they have two daughters. At work, Angela enjoys collaborating with others, working as part of a team, and seeing goals accomplished. Outside of work, she loves spending time with family and in nature—whether walking, hiking or swimming.
Linda Gonce
Operator
The voice of BK, Linda joined us in 1983, her junior year of high school, after being recruited by her friend and neighbor Janet Schuetz. Linda enjoys working for such a family oriented business, and enjoys spending time with her friends and family and nephew Colton.
Les Beane
Facilities
Les is responsible for keeping our facility looking sharp and ready for customer visits. When he's not at the dealership, he enjoys watching sports, bartending, catering, and cooking at the Baylor athletic facilities. Les and wife Gayla have two children, Les III and Ashanti and grandkids Lyrie and Alexis.
Devlin Cole
Manager Collision Repair Center
Devlin is a Waco native with over 35 years of experience in the automotive industry. A devoted husband and father of five, he enjoys spending his free time boating, hunting, and hiking. Devlin takes great pride in his work at BK Ford, especially in assisting customers who need support after an accident.
John Robbins
Collision Center Estimator
John graduated from John Brown University with a major in Business and a minor in Accounting. He enjoys working as a Collision Estimator because he gets to help people. He and his wife have 5 grown children and 3 grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, working on old cars and traveling.
Kimber Skinner
Collision Center Office Coordinator
Kimber is new to the automotive industry but is a wonderful addition to our team. Her and her husband have a son, three dogs and a cat. Kimber loves helping customers and working with her team. Outside of work she enjoys swimming and fishing at the lake, reading and spending time with her family.
Duane Laverty
Production Assistant/CRC Parts
Duane is a Waco native, graduating from Midway High School before attending Stephen F. Austin University. He has a degree in communication and photojournalism and was a photographer for 26 years. He and his wife, Dawn enjoy making music together, hiking and playing with their pets.
Kenneth Tucker
Collision Repair Center Technician
Kenneth (Kenny) graduated from Texas State Technical College and has a wife and two kids. He enjoys repairing cars and trucks and helping his teammates. Outside of work he enjoys fishing, raising cattle, and spending time with his family.
Jordan Osorio
Collision Repair Center Technician
Jordan is a Waco native that graduated from Texas State Technical College. He is married with 3 beautiful daughters and one son. He enjoys repairing vehicles and being part of a great team. In his spare time, he loves spending time with his family and especially loves big family gatherings.
Levi Allison
Auto Glass Technician
Levi is an Auto Glass Technician from Shallowater, Texas. He attended South Plains College and brings a strong work ethic and attention to detail to every job. Levi enjoys working on vehicles—even in his free time. When he’s not on the job, he loves spending time outdoors with his girlfriend and their dogs.
David Reed
Parts Salesperson
David is a "Car Guy" that loves being in the automotive industry and helping customers. He has a bachelors from Canadian Mennonite University and an associates in collision repair and refinishing from TSTC. His faith is especially important part of his life and part of why he values the spirit of Bird-Kultgen. In his spare time he enjoys working on his vintage truck, reading and spending time with his wife and two bright, beautiful children.
Jack Palmer
Parts Salesperson
Jack has been with Bird-Kultgen since 1972. Originally he unloaded our freight truck deliveries, but has spent the rest of his career working the front parts counter taking good care of our customers. If you are looking for a random part, Jack is your man.
Michael Whisenhunt
Parts Associate
Michael is a Waco native that loves working on cars. He enjoys working at BK because it allows him to follow his passion and do what he loves. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his dogs, riding his dirt bike, building custom cars and spending time with friends.
Annette Landrum
Parts Salesperson
Annette joined our team in 2014 after a career in management and HR with Lowes and PSG Security. She has been married to her husband Travis since 1990 and they have 3 awesome children- Randy, Kristen, and Jesse- and 2 beautiful grandbabies Mia and Zane. In her free time they love spending time together as a family, BBQing with friends, and watching their youngest compete in sports. Annette also loves traveling, being outdoors, watching movies, attending car shows, and shooting at the gun range.
Jon Taft
Service Manager
Born in Temple and raised in College Station, Jon is an AGGIE at heart. He earned his automotive degree from LTI in Dallas, TX and has been in the automotive industry ever since. He started at Garlyn Shelton imports in Bryan as a lube tech and worked his way up to become the parts manager. He has his master certifications in Hyundai, VW, Mazda, and BMWs. He joined the Bird Kultgen team in 2016 and is our Quick Lane manager. He enjoys helping customers with his expert advice on their vehicles every day, and loves spending time with his wife Keri and baby boy Bentley.
Jack Foster
Service Advisor
Jack is originally from Houston but moved to Waco in 2005. He fell in love with Waco and his wife and 2 sons are proud to call it home. Jack enjoys assisting people with all of their automotive needs. When he's not at work he enjoys spending time with his family, camping and being outdoors.
Robert Chollett
Service Advisor
Robert has been in the automotive industry since 1998, when he started his career at Town West Ford as a lube tech. Over his career he has worked as a tech, service advisor, assistant parts manager, and service manager. In his spare time Robert loves camping, fishing, and spending time with his wife, Jenny.
Jessica Allen
Service Advisor
Jessica graduated from Midway High School and is currently attending MCC. She enjoys the family atmosphere that makes coming to work fun. She loves her position because she gets to help so many people. Outside of work she enjoys art/painting canvases, traveling and spending time with her God babies.
Dave DeRosier
Service Advisor
Dave was born in Buffalo, New York and moved to Waco in 1984, where he proudly graduated from Waco High School. He has worked in automotive service since 1986 and enjoys his role because it allows him to help people every day. Outside of work, Dave enjoys cycling, woodworking, and small engine repair. He and his wife have two daughters and are proud to call Hewitt home.
Angie Daily
Service Office Coordinator
Angie is originally from Wichita, KS but has been in Texas so long she calls it home. She is a mother of 3 beautiful girls and 2 active granddaughters. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her girls, volunteering at church, and is currently going back to school for family counseling.
Dusty Richmond
Fixed Ops Administrator
Dusty was born and raised in Waco, Texas. She is married with 3 boys, 1 girl and a dog named Yoshi. She is a Midway and MCC alumnus and loves her career. She enjoys providing knowledge and expertise to the dealership and its customers. In her spare time, she enjoys riding dirt bikes.
Brenden Carey
Internal Advisor
Brenden is originally from Roseville, California and is proud to now call Waco home. Recently married, he enjoys working at Bird Kultgen Ford because of the strong relationships, teamwork, and shared experiences with the people around him. Outside of work, Brenden enjoys spending time outdoors hunting and fishing.
Wesley Leggett
Senior Master Technician
Wesley literally started his mechanic career as a boy- as soon as he could pull a starter string. He took mechanic classes in high school and college and now works at BK with his dad and stepdad. "I am still amazed at the family-type environment here every day."
Caegan Michaels
Senior Master Technician
Caegan is originally from Comanche, Oklahoma, and has a degree from Texas State Technical College. He specializes in diesel repair and diesel performance. He enjoys solving problems, working on cars, and proclaims to be a Mustang Enthusiast. When he's not at work he enjoys spending time with his daughter and his wife, who is currently carrying their new baby.
Richard Smith
Service Technician
Richard is originally from Fort Stockton but now resides in Hewitt. He is a graduate from TSTC and likes restoring old cars and trucks. He enjoys working at Bird-Kultgen because he gets to help people with their car problems. Richard has a wife, two daughters and a grandson.
Bobby Moran
Service Technician
Bobby Moran joined us in August of 2014. He is a recent newlywed to his bride Carolynn and they have one son JD. Bobby's brother Randy is also a technician in our service department, and their dad David was also a technician here for many any years. In his free time Bobby enjoys shooting, fishing, and bowling.
Hudson Campbell
Service Technician
Hudson is a skilled Service Technician who has served in various roles throughout the dealership, gaining valuable experience along the way. A proud graduate of Robinson High School, Hudson has always had a passion for working on cars and with his hands. He enjoys spending time with family and friends and you’ll often find him out fishing on his days off. Hudson’s dedication and enthusiasm make him a valuable part of our team.
Andrew Ramos
BDC Representative
Andrew, originally from California, made the move to Waco as soon as he could and graduated from Waco High School. In his spare time, he enjoys attending car shows and spending time with family and friends. At BK Ford, Andrew finds fulfillment in helping people and being part of a supportive team
Brent Wilson
Remote Experience Driver
Brent is a retired Michigan state trooper and enjoys spending his spare time with his family. He and his wife have two grown children, a daughter and a son. He enjoys working at Bk because of the team and people he gets to help. Outside of work enjoys all sports.
Ines Potter Long
Shuttle Driver
All the way from the beautiful state of Colorado, Ines joined the BK Ford team in 2015 and is loving it. She loves to ride motorcycles with her boyfriend Steve, who is a technician in our service department. Ines loves helping customers keep their rides in good working order. She also has a deep love for animals.
Pat Gee
Remote Experience Driver
Pat has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Central Washington University. He and his wife have a grown son that recently graduated from Baylor and is now in medical school. He loves spending time with his family, golfing, hunting, fishing, and going to church. He enjoys working at BK because he gets to be outside and meet new people every day.
Mikal Klumpp
Remote Experience Driver
Mikal, originally from Houston, has proudly called Waco home for over 30 years. An active member of Harris Creek Baptist Church, he cherishes time spent with his wife, three children, and seven grandchildren. Mikal enjoys working at BK Ford for the opportunity to meet new people and build meaningful connections.
Dakota Selby
Service Technician
Dakota, a Waco native and Midway High School graduate, is a used car technician who enjoys the variety his work brings each day. He and his wife are excited to welcome a baby soon. Outside of work, Dakota enjoys golf, music, cars and trucks, and spending time fishing.
Christian Ballard
Customer Experience Assistant
Christian is from Lott, Texas and graduated from Rosebud High School. He enjoys his career because it gives him the opportunity to help others every day. Outside of work, Christian enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and working on cars.
Vaniah Kelley
Service Technician
Vaniah is from Gatesville, Texas and is a graduate of Texas State Technical College. He enjoys his career because it allows him to help people while taking on new challenges. Outside of work, Vaniah enjoys riding motorcycles and spending time with friends and family.
Roberto Antonio Torres
Service Technician
Roberto is originally from Panama City and is a proud husband and father of three amazing kids. He enjoys helping customers and putting his knowledge to work every day. Outside of work, Roberto values time with his family and enjoys racing cars, reading, and continuing to learn.
Ryan Fagan
Customer Experience Manager
Ryan is a native Texan with a Business Management degree from Texas State University. He is well-versed in sales, service, and management with a long 12-year work history at Enterprise Rent-A-Car where he served as the Area Manager for Central Texas. Ryan and his wife have 3 boys and a dog named Trigger. They attend Harris Creek Church in McGregor and enjoy spending their weekends watching their boys play sports, shooting firearms, or spending time with family. Ryan enjoys working at BK Ford because of the people he gets to help.
Tyler Douglas
Quick Lane Advisor
Tyler is originally from Glen Rose but now calls Waco his home. He attended school at TSTC and loves working with customers and helping them with their problems. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his wife, Tiffany, and children, Brody and Burkley. He also enjoys grilling, being outdoors and playing video games.
Austin Goff
Quick Lane Advisor
Austin is originally from Utah and a graduate of Bountiful High School. Recently married, he brings both passion and experience to the team. Before joining us, Austin owned and operated his own automotive shop. He enjoys fixing and seeing cars come to life, and in his free time, you’ll find him golfing or enjoying outdoor activities. Austin’s hands-on expertise and enthusiasm make him a great addition to our team.
Alberto Saledo, Jr.
Quick Lane Technician
Alex lives in Waco and is currently attending Texas State Technical College. He enjoys learning how vehicles work and using that knowledge to help people. In his spare time, he enjoys hanging out with friends, playing video games, building computers, and working on cars.
Tristan Henderson
Quick Lane Technician
Tristian is the youngest of four siblings and grew up in Fort Worth. There, he graduated from Arlington Heights High School and is currently attending Texas State Technical College. Tristian enjoys working on vehicles and takes pride in helping keep the wheels of the world moving.
Jose Rodriguez
Quick Lane Technician
Jose attended Belton High School and has a passion for the automotive industry. He enjoys learning more about cars and working on all types of vehicles. As a true car enthusiast, Jose spends his free time working on his own cars and attending car shows. Outside of that, he enjoys fishing and spending time with his large family.
Kayden Miller
Quick Lane Technician
Kayden is an Auto Technician from Abilene who is currently continuing her education at TSTC. She has a daughter who is her pride and joy. Kayden enjoys working with her hands and takes great satisfaction in solving mechanical challenges. In her spare time, she loves spending quality time with her daughter.
Vaughn Scott
Quick Lane Technician
Vaughn Scott is from Denton, Texas and is currently attending Texas State Technical College, where he is continuing to build his skills and knowledge in the automotive field. Outside of work, Vaughn enjoys staying active through racing, surfing, and hunting.
Joseph Wyatt Robinson
Quick Lane Technician
Joseph is from China Spring, Texas and is the youngest of three children. He recently graduated from Texas State Technical College and enjoys his career because it allows him to work through problems, continue learning, and stay hands-on with vehicles every day. Outside of work, Joseph enjoys video games, Formula 1, music, and spending time working on cars.