It was only natural that Joel would follow in his father’s footsteps. Over the years, he developed his own appreciation for automobiles, learning not only repair skills, but also operations, marketing and customer service.

After graduating from Illinois State University with a business degree, Joel decided to formally join the business, choosing to focus on the pre-owned automotive side of the industry. He took over the business in 1987 and has been overseeing the details that make a difference at Tjelmeland’s ever since.

Today, Tjelmeland customers know Joel as a trusted advisor, someone who cares about finding exactly the right car as much as they do. They know he’s there when they pick up the phone and call the dealership. They know he’s at the other end of the email, personally answering every inquiry that comes in from the dealership’s Web site.

He’s also actively involved in the Springfield community, most notably as a Sangamon County Board Member and with his wife's Non-Profit Organization, The Cochlear Implant Awareness Foundation.

Bob Hermes has a son and a daughter. Bob has been in the car business since 1982 where he started at Railsplitter's Lincoln – Mercury. After only three years, he had moved up to hold the Sales Manager/Finance Manager position at Railsplitter’s Lincoln-Mercury. Bob’s customers often tell us that he focuses 100% on their satisfaction and truly believes in service after the sale.

Around Springfield, Bob is known as “Coach Bob”, a title he wears proudly in honor of his 9 years of teaching kids in the Springfield area how to play baseball. Bob stopped coaching when one of his sons, who also works at Laketown, started playing ball for Southeast High School, but the honorary title just seemed to stick.

He can be reached at 217-529-5677 or 217-306-5017 or bob@tjelmeland.com

Mick Patkes has been selling quality vehicles for more than fifteen years. He joined the sales team at Tjelmeland Laketown Automotive in and has been creating “customers for life” ever since. Mick is known to his customers as a man of his word, consistently following through on his promises and making sure that everything goes smoothly even after the sale.

You can reach Mick at 217-529-5677 or mick@tjelmeland.com