Welcome to the team, Carole!
We would like to welcome Carole Olney to Team Gilbert. Carole has joined Gilbert Ford on the Administration Team. Welcome to the team, Carole, we look forward to working with you!
Welcome to the team, Emily!
We would like to welcome Emily Clay to Team Gilbert. Emily has joined the Gilbert Customer Care Center as a Customer Care Representative. Welcome to the team, Emily!
Welcome to the team, David!
Welcome to Team Gilbert, David McFarling . David has joined the Service Team as a Maintenance/Lube Technician at Gilbert Ford . Welcome to the team, David!
Gilbert Ford in Okeechobee, FL recently supported the Okeechobee High School (OHS) Baseball team in a new, fun way. Instead of installing a normal banner on the team’s homerun fence, Gilbert installed a “monster wall” emblazoned with an F-150 truck and the message “Bust the Windshield”. Any batter lucky enough to hit a homerun through the windshield would be awarded a $500 college scholarship and an additional $500 would be donated to the OHS Baseball Team. While the monster wall was placed in what most describe as the homerun “sweet spot,” most agreed that it would still be a tall feat to hit the target. However, it didn’t take long for the first homerun to be hit.
During their home opener against Clewiston High School, Orlando Arana of the OHS baseball team stepped to the plate hoping to get on base or possibly bring a runner home. He never expected to hit one over the fence, but that is exactly what happened. Mr. Arana’s first homerun as a Brahman left his bat and had only one destination in sight: Gilbert Ford’s “monster wall.” As if out of a story, the ball went up and directly through the windshield of the F-150 earning him a $500 college scholarship and $500 for his home team.
Bert Culbreth, owner of Gilbert Ford and OHS baseball alumnus, said, “I couldn’t be more excited for Orlando. Hitting a homerun is always exciting but for a scholarship to come with it makes it that much better. I can’t wait for more kids to ‘bust the windshield’.” “While baseball and other sports may only be considered ‘games,’ they’re proven to help kids develop invaluable skills like leadership, cooperation, and sportsmanship while also bringing families and communities together. We’re proud to support youth activities like this one.” said J.D. Mixon, Director of Operations for the Gilbert Family of Companies.
For additional comments, please reach out to J.D. Mixon, Director of Operations at the Gilbert Family of Companies (863-824-3600), or Eric Kindell, OHS Baseball Coach (863-634-9033).
Gilbert Spotlight – C.J. Somerville
C.J. Somerville joined Team Gilbert in 2012 at Gilbert Chevrolet as a Service Technician. During his time at Chevrolet, C.J. worked as a Service Technician, Service Advisor, and then the Assistant Service Manager. As hard as it was to say “goodbye” C.J. and his family moved out of state. They couldn’t stay away from this Florida sunshine long.
Longing for beautiful weather, a friendly hometown, and a desire to help his church, C.J. and his family recently moved back to Florida where he re-joined Team Gilbert. This time he has joined the Gilbert Ford Service Team as their Service Manager. C.J says, “I’m super happy to be back and I’m excited to see what we can do in the future!”
When asked why he chose to join Team Gilbert, C.J. answered, “because I felt I had more opportunities to grow.” He said there is one person on Team Gilbert who has helped mold him into who he is today. “Jim Kenbeek has always been a wealth of knowledge. He is also very structured and hard working. He has definitely taught me a lot.” One of C.J.’s favorite things about his current position as service manager is problem-solving and working with people.
C.J. is married to his beautiful wife, Darcee and together they have 10 children and 1 granddaughter; Markies, Jaeden, Avery, Treyson, Angelina, Jizelle, Athena, Elijah, Emma, and Tayjon. He enjoys boating, fishing, and spending quality time with his family. We look forward to seeing your continued growth with Gilbert, C.J. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication.
Gilbert Spotlight – Becky Barnhart
Becky Barnhart joined Team Gilbert in 2020 on the office team at Gilbert Chevrolet as the Office Manager. Joining Team Gilbert was a change in pace for Becky as she worked in the public/government sector for 20 plus years. She brings with her a positive attitude and the ability to overcome day-to-day challenges.
We asked Becky what is her favorite part about being on Team Gilbert and she replied, “it’s the folks that I have the privilege of working with on a daily basis.” She said there are multiple people that have helped her grow on Team Gilbert, from Becky Racine who “showed her the ropes and answers her constant questions” to Joe Glevenyak who “is a wonderful mentor and cannot thank enough for his guidance and sharing his knowledge.”
When Becky isn’t “facing the daily opportunities” and investigating the “how’s and why’s” at Gilbert Chevrolet, she enjoys cooking, baking, and flower crafts. Becky is married to her wonderful husband, Jim Barnhart. Together they have two sons and two bonus daughters. And between them, she has been blessed with 5 bonus grandchildren.
Gilbert Spotlight – Meghan Woodhouse
Meghan Woodhouse joined Team Gilbert last year as a Customer Care Representative (CCR) with the Gilbert Customer Care Center (CCC). The CCC’s main focus is caring for our customers’ needs when they call in regardless of the department they are trying to reach. Meghan truly excelled in her role as a CCR. She greets all of our customers with a smile, a positive attitude, and the ability to provide excellent customer service.
Although Meghan has only been a part of Team Gilbert for a little over a year, she has shown that she has what it takes to go above and beyond for our customers. Because of this drive, she has stepped into a new role as a Service Advisor with Gilbert Ford. The knowledge gained in the CCC will greatly benefit her transition into this new position. We are extremely proud of this step and are excited to see her succeed as a Service Advisor!
When Megan isn’t taking care of our customers, she enjoys reading and spending time with her beautiful two-year-old daughter, Pebbles. We asked Meghan what is something she would say to someone who is considering joining Team Gilbert, she replied, “It’s a great atmosphere and your co-workers are like family.” Thank you for your support of each member of Team Gilbert, Meghan!
Gilbert Spotlight – Wes Burroughs
Wes Burroughs joined Team Gilbert in 2015 at Gilbert Oil Co. as a Warehouse Assistant. With his positive attitude and willingness to jump in to help where needed, Wes has been a part of the service teams at Gilbert Chevrolet and Gilbert Outdoors.
Wes is currently a Master Technician at Gilbert Ford. This accomplishment is achieved by completing hours of schooling, passing multiple certification exams, and must be a Ford Technician for at least 5 years.
We asked Wes if there was anyone on Team Gilbert who has helped mold him into who he is today. He answered, “All of my managers have pushed me to become better. Robert Lange and Buddy Lisle are the two that have helped me along the way.”
When Wes isn’t working on a diesel engine or continuing his Ford Service education, he enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it’s hunting, fishing, or out on his airboat. We appreciate all you do for Team Gilbert, Wes. Keep up the great work!
Gilbert Spotlight – Toby Doyle
Toby Doyle joined Team Gilbert in 2018 on the service team at Gilbert Chevrolet as a Service Technician. We asked Toby why he chose to apply to Team Gilbert, his answer was, “I was looking for a more family-focused company that would take my family into consideration with scheduling needs.”
Toby has worked in both a service advisor and service technician role. When asked if there is anything he learned from a manager on Team Gilbert, he answered, “I have learned a lot from everyone. From talking to customers in a sales or service environment to logistics and managing people both customers and employees. This place is so unique in the diversity of people under one umbrella all working toward a common goal of pleasing the customers and our community.”
Whether it is working on a customer’s vehicle or greeting a customer in the service booth, you can always catch Toby with a smile and a positive attitude. Toby says, “I truly enjoy my job, we all have bad days, but they are far less than the good ones.”
Toby is married to his amazing wife, Katie, who is the band director at Yearling Middle School. Together they have 3 children; Caiden, Liam, and Ashlyn. When Toby isn’t working on a Chevy vehicle, he enjoys spending time with his family and working on custom vehicles.
Hometown Hero – Cari Rucks Arnold
In 2002, Sergeant Cari Rucks Arnold was a stay-at-home, enjoying her life taking care of her two kids, Daryl Joy and Royce. However, she felt at times that she wanted to get out into the community and give back somehow. So that year she decided to apply to become a dispatcher with the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO). Her father, Gary Rucks, remembers the day Cari told him she was applying. He said, “it was one of the proudest moments in my life. Both my father and brother were in law enforcement and I knew she would do well.” It was no surprise to him that she chose this career path as “she always put other peoples’ needs before her own. She has always wanted to help others. It was that simple.”
While Sergeant Arnold joined the OCSO as a dispatcher, that role did not last long. She was quickly spotted as someone that would be better utilized elsewhere in the department. She recalls Sheriff O.L. Raulerson approaching her on a Wednesday after she had been in dispatch for only a few short months. He told her that he would like for her to consider a position on their Corrections team. Initially, she was hesitant. “Who dreams about working in a jail,” she recalls thinking. But she appreciated his confidence in her abilities and took him up on the offer. The following Monday she was enrolled in the Corrections Academy and has never looked back. She appreciates every moment she spent in corrections and continued to position herself to be a positive impact on the department and the community.
Sergeant Arnold was promoted to School Resource Officer (SRO) Sergeant in 2018, overseeing all SRO responsibilities in Okeechobee County. She loves this role because, as she says, “it gives me the opportunity to create positive interactions between kids and law enforcement. I need them to know that we are here to help them whenever they need us. Nothing could be more important than their safety and security.” This passion does not stop when she is off the clock. Major Michael Hazellief has worked with Sergeant Arnold for nearly 20 years. He believes, “Sergeant Arnold is a true public servant. She serves her community both on and off duty and works hard to ensure the safety of our children.” She works tirelessly in her personal time as a leader in the Okeechobee Fraternal Order of Police. Through events like the Independence Day Celebration, Shop with a Cop, and photos with the Grinch and Santa, she spends nearly every waking moment serving our community.
Okeechobee is blessed to have you protecting our children, Sergeant Arnold. You truly are a Hometown Hero!
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