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Our Team

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

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  • Robert J. Alvine
    President and General Manager
    Robert J. Alvine
    (203) 643-1201

    Bob Alvine is the President and General Manager of Premier Subaru.  Bob started the business in August, 2000 with the desire to create a Subaru dealership that would consistently exceed the expectations of customers.  Bob also wanted a company that was active and invested in the community in which it serves. 

    Bob is a graduate in Finance from the University of Rhode Island (and a Rhody Basketball Fan) and has a MBA from the University of New Haven.  Bob started his career in the banking industry and worked in various positions in Commercial Lending and Finance. 

    Bob is active with the University of Rhode Island Alumni Association, The University of New Haven, the Branford Chamber of Commerce (Board Member), the Amity Club of New Haven and other community organizations. Recently, Bob was named to the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut and to the Board of Directors of Jane Doe No More.

    Bob is also Vice Chairman of the Subaru of America National Dealer Advisory Board - a position that he cherishes - as he works to help the Subaru brand in the United States.

    Bob has an open door policy at Premier Subaru, so, if you have questions, or simply want to say "hi", please stop up. You can also email him directly or just pick up the phone.  Bob can be heard saying "The Customer is the Reason for Our Existence", so, he would love to hear from you.

    You can also catch up with Bob on his Facebook page!

  • Geoff Fox
    Spokesman
    Geoff Fox

    Geoff Fox has been forecasting weather in Connecticut for over 26 years.  We're proud he joined our team in May, 2011 as our official spokesperson.  Currently, he's on WTIC FoxCT nightly.  You'll also see him on the air in our commercials.  You can learn more about Fox (and read some of what he thinks about our cars and being our spokesman) on his blog, "My Permanent Record."  You can find out more about him being our spokesman right here on our website .

  • Rich Johnson
    General Sales Manager
    Rich Johnson
    (203)643-1218

    With 27+ years in the automotive business, you can say Rich knows a thing or two about helping customers with all the aspects of paying for, registering, titling, and protecting their new or new-to-them cars. 

    His primary goal is to ensure each customer has a positive delivery experience so when that customer leaves, they have no unanswered questions or unrealized expectations. 

    He was born in East Lyme, CT but now resides in Terryville, CT.  He's an avid Yankee fan, railfan and Sinatra enthusiast.

  • Mark Ploski
    Chief Financial Officer
    Mark Ploski
    203-643-1225

    Mark comes to Premier Subaru after a long and accomplished career in banking.  Mark received both his graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Connecticut.   He spend time in senior level positions with well known financial firms, such as the Bank of America and Mercedes Benz Capital.

    Mark resides in Trumbull, Connecticut with his wife and two boys.

  • Joseph Sansone
    Pre-owned Director
    Joseph Sansone
    (203)643-1254

    Day Off:  Thursday

    Joe also brings over 30 years in the automotive industry to the table.

    He's originally from Wooster Street in New Haven (yes, the home of all of the famous pizza places!) and now resides in Branford, CT.  A true Italian, Joe wants you to "fahgeddabowt buying an inferior car--and that's what you'll get if you don't get it here!"  He enjoys listening to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Led Zeppelin (yes, Led Zeppelin...we know it doesn't belong...that is just Joe!).  Actually, Joe and Bob are huge fans of the jazz band Airborne too (they play all of the company's parties!)

    He's been with Premier Subaru since 2004, where he began as a pre-owned sales consultant before his promotion in 2008.

    Besides being handsome, charming, and graceful, Joe goes out of his way to make sure he's got the nicest cars at the lowest prices anywhere. 

  • Dennis Cullen
    Certified Subaru Service Manager
    Dennis Cullen
    (203)643-1230

    Dennis Cullen is the Director of Premier Subaru's Service Department.  In this role, Dennis ensures that the expectations of all the customers who bring their cars to us are exceeded--all 900+ of them!  Prior to coming to Premier Subaru, Dennis was a service director at well respected Ford and Land Rover Dealerships. 

    Dennis is a Certified Service Manager by Subaru of America and a multiple winner of the Subaru of America Circle of Excellence Award for Service Excellence.  In addition to his Subaru experience, Dennis regularly travels to NADA and SEMA conventions with Bob to learn the "latest and greatest" in Service technology so that we can continue to be on the "cutting edge" for our clients.

    Those rare times when Dennis is not at Premier Subaru, he is either playing a round of golf, or, watching his son play soccer.  Dennis is a resident of Milford, Connecticut.

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  • David Harger
    Parts Department Director
    David Harger
    (203)643-1220

    David Harger is the Director of Premier Subaru's Parts and Accessories Department, as well as the affiliate "etailer" Subarupartswarehouse.com.  In his role, David oversees all aspects of the sale of Subaru parts and accessories.  He truly cares about making sure that all of our clients are completely satisfied, even personally running a part to a customer when it just "needed to get there".  Prior to joining Premier Subaru, David was involved on both the parts and service areas in a large Hyundai dealership.  His involvement with the Service Department allows him to know what parts to stock so that we can make sure we have the part in stock that your car requires. 

    David is a Certified Parts Manager by Subaru of America and a multiple year winner of the Subaru of America Circle of Excellence Award for Parts Department Excellence.

    When not at Premier Subaru, David is an avid NASCAR fan (he goes to races!) and a very busy father of 3 children!  David is a resident of Middletown, Connecticut.

    By the way, when David applied for a job at Premier Subaru a number of years ago, rumor has it that Bob hired him since they had similar hairlines and Bob didn't want to be the only "follically challenged" individual in the dealership!

  • Amy Wrinn
    Office Manager/Accounting Team Leader
    Amy Wrinn
    203-643-1202

    As leader of our Accounting Department, Amy's 25+ years of experience in automotive accounting come in handy.  She is also the one that Bob calls upon, typically with a "Hey Am" about 50 times a day.

    When she's not busy overseeing the company's financial and administrative business, she can be found in her hometown of West Haven, where she recently purchased her own home.

    She's a proud mother of two humans and one cat (adoptive mom to the cat, of course.) 

    At the First Congregational Church of West Haven, Amy is not just your average Sunday churchgoer.  In addition to acting as the church's Treasurer, she's Chairperson of the Board of Deacons, a member of the Friends in Fellowship Group and currently serves on the Worship Committee and Church Council.

    When not at work or church, Amy's a member in the Order of the Eastern Star.  If she has any spare time to herself, she prefers to do geneology research and spend time with her family.  She's looking forward to a very great future!
     
     

  • Barbara Mullen
    Sales Manager
    Barbara Mullen
    203-643-1213

    AKA "Nama"

    Day off:  Wednesday

    Even Bob has less seniority than Barb, as she began here at Premier Subaru before it was Premier Subaru.  Still, her experience as a sales consultant here at Premier is short compared to her total time in the automotive industry.  She's been in the business about 25 years and has worked in the sales, accounting, and customer service areas of several dealerships.

    Barb is unofficially Premier's community ambassador.  Although Barb is originally from Wallingford, CT, she's become a familiar face to many Branford town residents and is even a flute player in the Branford Town Band.  As such, she's the perfect person to represent Premier at the many events we participate in--the Guilford Fair, the Branford Town Festival, the North Haven Fair, and many more events throughout the year.

    When she is here at the dealership, she feels her primary responsibility is to provide each customer with a superlative buying experience.  She believes that "customers spend good money on cars these days--it should be a good experience for them."  She has the knowledge and expertise to walk customers through the entire buying process with ease.

    Barbara will listen to you and will help you find the right car for you and make sure you get a fair deal.

     

  • Virginia Augustine
    Title Clerk
    Virginia Augustine
    203-643-1200

    AKA "Ginny" or "Ethel"

    Ginny was born and raised in East Haven, CT but now resides close by in Branford, CT.  She has 20+ years in automotive accounting, billing and reception.

    She's a mother of 3 grown children and is a grandmother to 5 lovely grandchildren--her pride and joy.

    She enjoys time to herself relaxing.  She also loves cooking, spending time with family and friends, and taking grandchildren for sleepovers on weekends.  She can use those relaxing weekends...after all, her desk is right outside Bob's office.

    She lived in the South for 2 years and loved it there.  She's traveled extensively up and down the Eastern coast .  She hopes her future holds even more adventure!

     

  • Victoria MacKenzie
    Administrative Assistant/Office Assistant
    Victoria MacKenzie
    203-643-1205

    AKA Bic, Bixie

    Bic's been here since 2004, and it's funny to look at her title and realize how inadequate it is in describing her role here.  She's got over 10 years in office, bookkeeping and accounting.

    She's always been a huge cat person-when she was younger she wanted the big cats; lions, tigers, & leopards.  But now that she's older and more realistic about what she can keep in a house, she has 3 spoiled but wonderful small cats named O'Dell, Stanley, and Abby aka "Itsy Bitsy."

    She also loves to travel.  She has been to many places throughout the US, from coast to coast, including Hawaii and into Canada.  My goal looking forward is to expand my travels out of the country to Europe and Oceania.

    She describes herself as "Such a little kid at heart."  She likes to be goofy, silly and spontanteous.  She loves to smile, laugh and have great times.  She likes things that are small, cute and fuzzy (i.e. baby animals.)  And there's nothing more important to her than her family and friends.



  • Brian E. Canell
    Customer Care Manager
    Brian E. Canell
    203-643-1250

    AKA "Edward" or "Newman" (he was once one of 3 Brians at Premier)

    Brian's been here since 2004, when he began at Premier as a Subaru Certified Sales Consultant.  His unbreakable work ethic and dedication made him the perfect choice for a new position at the company in Business Development.  As such, he's responsible for making sure that everyone who contacts our dealership about buying a new or pre-owned vehicle has a great experience here.  Chances are, if you've ever considered a Premier vehicle, you've spoken with Brian Edward.

    He's not your typical car guy, so he's able to empathize with a lot of customers who don't consider themselves "car guys" either.

    The work Subaru and Premier Subaru does with the ASPCA is something that Brian takes to heart.  He's got a lot of animals including a dog, 2 cats, and a guinea pig.

    When he's not busy keeping in touch with Premier's customers, he enjoys acting and singing and has been the lead in several recent plays including productions of Guys and Dolls and Pippin.

    Born and raised in Wallingford, CT, Brian and his wife recently purchased their first home there.  Friends and relatives of Brian have come to Premier to buy cars from all corners of Connecticut, so he knows it's always worth the drive down! 



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  • Carlton Jablonski
    BDC
    Carlton Jablonski
    800-411-4551

    Carlton comes to us from Rindge, New Hampshire.  He's excited to join the Premier Subaru team as one of our friendly Customer Care members.  He'll be responding to your internet inquiries and phone calls making sure you have all the information you need before you visit our store.

    He's a graduate of Daniel Webster College where he studied to be an air traffic controller.  Currently, he's working on his MBA. 

    When he's not here at the dealership he can usually be found outside- hiking, fishing, swimming, skiing, off-roading, dirt-biking, or anything outside.  He says his perfect day would be to ride his motorcycle to the airport and fly a Piper Cherokee for the afternoon.

  • Adam Arsenault
    Subaru Certified Sales Consultant
    Adam Arsenault
    203-643-1253

    Day Off:  Wednesday

    Since 2008, Adam has stood out as the lone Red Sox fan in the Subaru Sales Consultant office.  He originally hails from Boston, MA, so the others do cut him some slack on the issue.  He enjoys watching all of the Boston teams play in all sports, except for soccer, which he just hasn't been able to get into. 

    When he's not at Premier or watching a sporting event, he likes camping, music, and long walks on the beach (actually, long walks anywhere) with his wife and his dog, Ryder. 

    Aside from some anatomical anomalies (lucky for you, there's no reason for him to take off his shoes on a test-drive), he's an all around great guy. 

  • Jeffrey C. Irzyk
    Subaru Certified Sales Consultant
    Jeffrey C. Irzyk
    203-643-1215

    Day Off:  Thursday

    Jeffrey joined the Premier team back in 2005 and has been very successful, even earning the coveted Subaru Peak Performer status for his above average performance in sales and customer satisfaction.  He is also meticulous and detail-oriented, earning him the unofficial title "Lot Manager" as he just can't stand to see cars that aren't parked perfectly straight.

    Originally from Branford, CT, Jeff recently purchased his first home in Guilford, CT. He studies martial arts and is very involved in volunteering in the community, usually heading up our Toys for Tots and Food Drive campaigns.

    In August, 2011, Jeff and his fiancee, Angela (a former Premier employee) became proud parents to Julianna. 

     

  • Theodore (Ted) Astarita
    Certified Subaru Sales Consultant
    Theodore (Ted) Astarita
    203-643-1224

    Day Off:  Friday

    Ted joined our team in early 2011 after an extensive sales career, most recently as a mortgage loan originator.  His current position brings him back to the automotive industry where he's spent time in service and sales positions.

    Dedicated to making sure every customer's needs are met and that all of their expectations are exceeded, Ted credits his success in sales to enjoying taking care of people.. 

  • Ross Novak
    Subaru Certified Sales Consultant
    Ross Novak
    203-643-1204

    Day Off:  Friday

    Ross is another recruit originally from right here on the Connecticut shoreline.  He's originally from Guilford, where he spent his high school years off roading and working on Jeeps, trucks and anything else with 4WD.  He now resides in Branford, CT.  He's spent his entire career serving people in different capacities since graduating from the University of Connecticut with his BS in Sociology. 

    He completed an internship with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, was a store manager at Cook's Kitchen in Madison/Guilford, was a military police officer in West Hartford, CT and most recently was a real estate agent in Boston, MA before moving back to Connecticut.  All while being a member of the Army National Guard.

    No moss grows on Ross- he likes to keep busy.  He's an avid outdoor sports enthusiast.  His activities include snowboarding in Vermont and Colorado, he's an ex semi-pro mountain bike and road cyclist.  He also likes skateboarding and surfing.

    His favorite places to be (aside from here at Premier helping folks get new Subarus) are Killington, VT, Cape Cod, Block Island and Boston, MA.   

  • Tim Rourke
    Certified Subaru Sales Consultant

    Photo not available
    203-643-1211


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  • Gary Christiansen
    Certified Subaru Service Consultant
    Gary Christiansen
    203-481-0687

    Eight years ago, (just a year and a half after the store was opened) Gary joined Premier's team.  He wears many hats as far as his responsibilities here.

    His primary responsibility is to help customers keep their vehicles in great running condition.  This is easy as he's familiar with all areas of vehicle maintenance and repair  - he starting out pumping gas in 1992 and became a technician in 1993.  When he joined Premier in 2002 it was to use his technical knowledge as a service consultant. 

    He's straightforward and honest, and thinks that educating customers on repairs and maintenance is very important.  This philosophy has earned Gary multiple Subaru Summit Service awards along with many loyal customers.

    Originally from Bridgeport, Gary now resides in Seymour, CT w here he is a devoted husband and a very family-oriented, hands-on father of three.

      

  • Charles R. Miller
    Shop Foreman and Certified Subaru Service Technician
    Charles R. Miller

    A legend in New England, Charlie Miller is well-known as a top Subaru technician (you can check out any Subaru forum to verify that.)  He's worked here at Premier since 2005.  Before bringing his expertise to our team, he'd been working on Subarus since August, 1980. 

    Subaru isn't just his profession, it's a brand he believes in.  He says "I drive what I work on--there are 17 Subarus in my family."

    Charlie is originally from Norwalk, CT but now lives in Wallingford, CT.  He feels his job is his hobby--he enjoys working with cars.

  • Rob Burgess
    Certified Subaru Parts Consultant
    Rob Burgess
    (800)411-4551

    Rob Burgess is the friendly face behind the phone in the Premier Subaru Parts Department.  In addition to the daily duties that he has in the Parts Department, Rob also handles the company's EBAY store.

    Rob is a resident of Branford, Connecticut, where he lives with his family. 

  • Johnny Rodriquez
    Appearance Technician
    Johnny Rodriquez

    If you have brought your car in for service and got it back all washed up, Johnny is the man to thank!   Johnny, who is a resident of New Haven,  is a proud father of two.  In his past time, Johnny works on his vintage Toyota....which has the coolest paint job you EVER saw!   You know when Johnny brings the Toyota to work....Bob is drooling all over it!

  • Laurie Anne
    Customer Care Representative
    Laurie Anne
    (203)649-5018

    If you have had service or repairs done at Premier Subaru, you have heard from Laurie Anne.  Laurie Anne is our Client Care Representative and she calls all of our service customers to make sure that we have exceeded their expectations.

    From her friendly southern drawl to her great sense of humor, Laurie Anne is eager to ensure that your servicing experience at Premier Subaru is a pleasant one!

  • Tom Iaquessa
    Customer Shuttle Service
    Tom Iaquessa

    If you have dropped your car off for Service at Premier Subaru, then you know Tom.  Tom is the one that waves you into our Service Drive and then takes you to your home or work via our Shuttle Service.  Tom always has a great smile on his face and is surely giving John, our Appearance Technician, a run for his money to ensure that those cars keep "moving through" the service department.

    Tom is a resident of Branford, Connecticut.

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  • Gino Diaz
    Facility Supervisor
    Gino Diaz

    Born and raised in Chile, Gino has been with Premier for almost 9 years!  Whether it's fixing a light, snow-removal, or mowing the lawns, Gino works hard to maintain the over-all appearance and function of Premier.

Certified Pre–Owned Subaru Stellar Performer