Meet Our Staff
Management
Brandon McGahee
General Manager
Ben Artymowski
General Sales Manager
Gildardo Esquivel
New Car Sales Manager
Sales
Dennis Cardinal
Product Specialist
Wally Thom
Product Specialist
Gregg Kasper
Product Specialist
Xavier Troupe
Product Specialist
Marcus (Kain) Hankins
Product Specialist
Kazimierz Madej
Product Specialist
Anna Bacigalupo
Product Specialist
Service
Jacob Povlich
Service Advisor, Assistant service manager & Dispatcher
Kara Snedecor
Product Specialist
Finance
Charlie Ziegler
Business Manager
Shannon Pankratz
Business Manager
Administration
Emily Brown
Office Manager
Dennis Cardinal
Product Specialist
Mar 07, 2024
Both Dennis and Ben were friendly and helpful.
Both Dennis and Ben were friendly and helpful. I recommend Russ Darrow Kia Waukesha as a great place to do business with.
Jan 06, 2024
They went above and beyond to get to a deal that worked
They went above and beyond to get to a deal that worked for me and Dennis was open honest and very transparent.
Jul 19, 2023
Dennis was very nice to work with and treated us well.
Dennis was very nice to work with and treated us well. He was knowledgeable about the cars.
Apr 16, 2023
Great experience with Dennis!
Great experience with Dennis! Very helpful and easy to work with! Overall a good experience buying my first car. The car was in decent condition, however the car was not thoroughly cleaned upon pick up. :/
Apr 15, 2023
Dennis Cardinal is the best!
Dennis Cardinal is the best! He always tries to get us the best deal. I highly recommend him.
Brandon McGahee
General Manager
Jan 15, 2025
Wonderful experience Kain was friendly and genuine.
Wonderful experience Kain was friendly and genuine. He listened and answered my questions with ease.. I felt he really knew the vehicles and helped me find the one I wanted. He has continued to be available to answer my questions as I learn all the new features. I would recommend him to anyone looking into Kia.
Oct 31, 2024
Kain was very helpful and informative.
Kain was very helpful and informative. He was not pushy in any regard. Highly recommend him!
Sep 24, 2024
We want to give a shout out to Caleb in sales for
We want to give a shout out to Caleb in sales for excellent service in purchasing our Kia. He was informative and helpful. The whole staff was also respectful and knowledgeable. Thank you.
Jul 22, 2024
Our experience at RD Kia Waukesha was amazing!
Our experience at RD Kia Waukesha was amazing! We leased a new Sportage for our daughter. We had been to several other dealers and were so glad we walked into Russ Darrow. We were immediately met by Kain who quickly set us up with information about what Sportages were on the lot. When they didn’t have the color we wanted he involved his manager, Gil, who was able to find one right away from another dealership. We got the leasing worked out painlessly. Kain and Gil went out of their way to ensure we had the best affordable deal we could get. Shannon did our financing and she was fast and very informative. Overall we were incredibly impressed with Kain who made the entire process fun and an enjoyable experience.
Jul 17, 2024
Friendly, knowledgable and honest.
Friendly, knowledgable and honest. They all worked very hard to get the car we wanted.
Wally Thom
Product Specialist
Jan 19, 2025
Very customer service oriented.
Very customer service oriented. Helped set up the features a new car has. Told me about the free car washes too
Nov 07, 2024
Staff was extremely pleasant.
Staff was extremely pleasant. Told them what I could afford, We settled on my terms.
Jun 30, 2024
Took time to explain the difference between vehicles and
Took time to explain the difference between vehicles and the different functions of vehicle ownership and vehicle operations.
Jun 29, 2024
I had a great experience!
I had a great experience! Wally and the team were very friendly and helpful! I’d recommend this dealership to everyone. I love my new car!
May 28, 2024
I recently purchased a 2024 Kia Sportage from the Kia
I recently purchased a 2024 Kia Sportage from the Kia dealership, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the experience, thanks to our salesman, Wally. From the moment my family and I walked in, Wally greeted us with a warm smile and a friendly demeanor. He took the time to understand our needs and preferences, making us feel valued and heard. His knowledge about the Kia Sportage was impressive, and he patiently answered all of our questions, ensuring we were well-informed about our decision. Wally's exceptional customer service made the entire buying process smooth and enjoyable. He was attentive, professional, and genuinely cared about finding the right vehicle for us. Even after the purchase, he followed up to make sure we were happy with our new car. If you're in the market for a new vehicle, I highly recommend visiting the Kia dealership and asking for Wally. His dedication to excellent service and customer satisfaction truly sets him apart. We love our new Kia Sportage and are grateful for the fantastic experience!
Jacob Povlich
Service Advisor, Assistant service manager & Dispatcher
Jan 16, 2025
Very friendly, and willing to help.
Very friendly, and willing to help. Always asks if you need a ride or if you are going to wait. They keep you informed on your car.
Jan 16, 2025
I received excellent service, as always.
I received excellent service, as always. An oil change, tire rotation, and recalled part replacement only took an hour and a half to complete.
Jan 16, 2025
Excellent service!
Excellent service! Good service, they work very well and super fast I recommend them 100% with all my acquaintances always
Jan 12, 2025
Very nice people.
Very nice people. Help me out with all my needs and even save me some money. Nice, clean, waiting room.
May 29, 2024
They got my recall service on a 2014 Sorento scheduled
They got my recall service on a 2014 Sorento scheduled within a week. The service call went very well, professionally done and a clean car to take home.
Charlie Ziegler
Business Manager
Jan 13, 2025
The vehicle was ready to test drive at my appointed time.
The vehicle was ready to test drive at my appointed time. Xavier was friendly and able to answer questions about the car. They were willing to deal only a little bit on the price. Once I decided to purchase, I felt rushed through the paperwork I had questions about the paperwork 2 days after the purchase and the finance rep was kind enough to help me work through all of my questions
Jul 17, 2024
I recently bought a certified Kia at Russ Darrow Kia
I recently bought a certified Kia at Russ Darrow Kia Waukesha and really enjoyed my experience. I worked with Kain and he was great. He was a great communicator in the days leading up to my visit and was pleasant to work with in-person. I was impressed with how knowledgeable he was on Kia vehicles and that helped me make an informed decision.
Jul 17, 2024
Friendly, knowledgable and honest.
Friendly, knowledgable and honest. They all worked very hard to get the car we wanted.
Jul 17, 2024
Just bought a 2024 Kia K5 with Kain and he was awesome!
Just bought a 2024 Kia K5 with Kain and he was awesome! He was super helpful in answering all my questions and dealing with my 3 loud, messy, crying kids during the whole process. Highly recommend working with Kain!
Jul 16, 2024
The people were all very friendly and seemed genuine.
The people were all very friendly and seemed genuine. While I realize that's their job, they were very personable and took the time I needed to make a decision. Marcus and his trainee were patient and kind overall. Marcus was a good person to train the new employee and took the time to teach him customer relations which was important to me.
Shannon Pankratz
Business Manager
Nov 07, 2024
Staff was extremely pleasant.
Staff was extremely pleasant. Told them what I could afford, We settled on my terms.
Oct 31, 2024
Kain was very helpful and informative.
Kain was very helpful and informative. He was not pushy in any regard. Highly recommend him!
Jul 22, 2024
Our experience at RD Kia Waukesha was amazing!
Our experience at RD Kia Waukesha was amazing! We leased a new Sportage for our daughter. We had been to several other dealers and were so glad we walked into Russ Darrow. We were immediately met by Kain who quickly set us up with information about what Sportages were on the lot. When they didn’t have the color we wanted he involved his manager, Gil, who was able to find one right away from another dealership. We got the leasing worked out painlessly. Kain and Gil went out of their way to ensure we had the best affordable deal we could get. Shannon did our financing and she was fast and very informative. Overall we were incredibly impressed with Kain who made the entire process fun and an enjoyable experience.
Jul 17, 2024
Friendly, knowledgable and honest.
Friendly, knowledgable and honest. They all worked very hard to get the car we wanted.
Apr 21, 2024
They were fairly helpful.
They were fairly helpful. And found us a car. But they did not disclose that the windshield had cracks in multiple places which we could not see because it was raining. And a vehicle inspection was not done even though the sticker and salesman assured us it was. Had to bring car back the next day for service that took hours. Not a good experience
Gregg Kasper
Product Specialist
Apr 03, 2024
Gregg and Brandon are the best.
Gregg and Brandon are the best. Very helpful in meeting my price needs without pushing anything I don’t want or need. Brandon even showed up on his day off to help close the deal. Gregg was more than patient and accommodating with all my indecisiveness. Charlie was great and very thorough with the paperwork. He even remembered a conversation we had from 3 years ago. Your staff is very customer focused.
Jul 31, 2023
Absolutely wonderful to deal with Greg.
Absolutely wonderful to deal with Greg. was the best sales person Thank you for you help
Jul 17, 2023
Very courteous, professional and quick to thoroughly
Very courteous, professional and quick to thoroughly review the new car and get me out on the road.
Jul 15, 2023
Greg was able to help me get what I wanted.
Greg was able to help me get what I wanted. Very happy with my purchase and finance options.
Jul 05, 2023
I really can't say much being I was almost put in
I really can't say much being I was almost put in vehicles I didn't want or liked but all around greg finally get one I was satisfied with . and I will give good words about this place to friends
Xavier Troupe
Product Specialist
Jan 13, 2025
The vehicle was ready to test drive at my appointed time.
The vehicle was ready to test drive at my appointed time. Xavier was friendly and able to answer questions about the car. They were willing to deal only a little bit on the price. Once I decided to purchase, I felt rushed through the paperwork I had questions about the paperwork 2 days after the purchase and the finance rep was kind enough to help me work through all of my questions
Jan 12, 2025
Everything was great.
Everything was great. Xavier was helpful. Car is great but it did not come with car mats for the front or back.
Sep 21, 2024
Very clean, well maintained with friendly staff that
Very clean, well maintained with friendly staff that helped me find an affordable vehicle. Not pushy and let me take my time.
Apr 15, 2024
We worked with Xavier who went above and beyond.
We worked with Xavier who went above and beyond. He assisted us in identifying key features that were important to have in our next vehicle. After this Xavier took it a step further by locating the right vehicle and had it quickly brought in for us. They gave us a fair trade in value on our 2020 Kia to put towards our new 2024 Kia. I highly recommend others to bring their business Xavierat Kia of Waukesha!!
Jan 17, 2024
We went to this dealership to look at a vehicle, called
We went to this dealership to look at a vehicle, called ahead to make sure the vehicle was clean from snow so we could look at the paint and test drive it. Upon arrival, the vehicle was clean up enough to drive and running to warm up. I test drove the vehicle and the wheel began to violently shake above 45mph sure to balancing issues. We declined the vehicle as I'm not buying a car that needs maintenance and the manager, Brandon, began trying to explain the snow in the "wheel wells" (body of the car, not the rotating wheel) can hinder balance issues and it's been a common issue with snow in his 20+ years in the business. He pointed to the snow in the rim of the tire, not the wheel wells, but kept referring to the wheel wells. He was upset I was still declining the vehicle and asked "did you expect us to thaw the vehicle" where I responded "well if it's a common issue in your 20+ years, we did ask you to clean the vehicle enough for a test drive" where he turned his back on me and told me to have a good day, basically kicking me out of the store. For this to be a manager... No KIA for me and no more Russ Darrow. Left a bad taste in the brand and the company! Purchased a vehicle at another location.
Ben Artymowski
General Sales Manager
Jan 13, 2025
The vehicle was ready to test drive at my appointed time.
The vehicle was ready to test drive at my appointed time. Xavier was friendly and able to answer questions about the car. They were willing to deal only a little bit on the price. Once I decided to purchase, I felt rushed through the paperwork I had questions about the paperwork 2 days after the purchase and the finance rep was kind enough to help me work through all of my questions
Nov 01, 2024
Kain was very helpful, kind, and knowledgeable throughout
Kain was very helpful, kind, and knowledgeable throughout the entire process. He was not pushy at all, and I would highly recommend him!
Apr 16, 2024
Katie was great to work with.
Katie was great to work with. She knew the answers to my questions and helped me with my decision. She worked diligently to get my deal done quickly. Pleasure working with her.
Apr 03, 2024
Katie was knowledgeable, she listened to my needs and
Katie was knowledgeable, she listened to my needs and found me exactly the car I needed. I would buy from her again.
Mar 07, 2024
Both Dennis and Ben were friendly and helpful.
Both Dennis and Ben were friendly and helpful. I recommend Russ Darrow Kia Waukesha as a great place to do business with.
Marcus (Kain) Hankins
Product Specialist
Jan 15, 2025
Wonderful experience Kain was friendly and genuine.
Wonderful experience Kain was friendly and genuine. He listened and answered my questions with ease.. I felt he really knew the vehicles and helped me find the one I wanted. He has continued to be available to answer my questions as I learn all the new features. I would recommend him to anyone looking into Kia.
Nov 27, 2024
Comfortable and fun process.
Comfortable and fun process. KIA makes a good product so Marcus did not have to trick me into purchasing. Our conversation was more casual than anything.
Nov 01, 2024
Kain was very helpful, kind, and knowledgeable throughout
Kain was very helpful, kind, and knowledgeable throughout the entire process. He was not pushy at all, and I would highly recommend him!
Oct 31, 2024
Kain was very helpful and informative.
Kain was very helpful and informative. He was not pushy in any regard. Highly recommend him!
Jul 22, 2024
Our experience at RD Kia Waukesha was amazing!
Our experience at RD Kia Waukesha was amazing! We leased a new Sportage for our daughter. We had been to several other dealers and were so glad we walked into Russ Darrow. We were immediately met by Kain who quickly set us up with information about what Sportages were on the lot. When they didn’t have the color we wanted he involved his manager, Gil, who was able to find one right away from another dealership. We got the leasing worked out painlessly. Kain and Gil went out of their way to ensure we had the best affordable deal we could get. Shannon did our financing and she was fast and very informative. Overall we were incredibly impressed with Kain who made the entire process fun and an enjoyable experience.
Kazimierz Madej
Product Specialist
Apr 23, 2024
I am very pleased with my new Kia Telluride, they went
I am very pleased with my new Kia Telluride, they went out of their way to get the color I wanted. Very pleased with my salesman Kaze, and everyone at the dealership. Our grandchildren love the new ride!
Nov 28, 2023
Easy transactions and friendly people throughout from the
Easy transactions and friendly people throughout from the beginning to the end. Kazinierz Madej was my salesman and he was very thorough and friendly. He sat in the car with me and walked me through all the bells and whistles. I felt comfortable and am happy with my purchase!
Apr 18, 2023
Kazimierz was awesome and extremely helpful.
Kazimierz was awesome and extremely helpful. Made the whole process quick and easy. Definitely would recommend.
Jul 12, 2022
I finally bought my dream car!
I finally bought my dream car! I received a great trade in offer that allowed me to purchase the Kia Seltos model that I fell in love with 2 yrs ago when they first came out. I chose Russ Darrow Kia because I have serviced my Kia Soul with them for the last 4+ yrs. Always great service and personable. My salesman, Kazimierz Madej, was wonderful.
May 17, 2022
There was no pressure for me to make a decision and they
There was no pressure for me to make a decision and they answered all my questions
Gildardo Esquivel
New Car Sales Manager
Jan 15, 2025
Wonderful experience Kain was friendly and genuine.
Wonderful experience Kain was friendly and genuine. He listened and answered my questions with ease.. I felt he really knew the vehicles and helped me find the one I wanted. He has continued to be available to answer my questions as I learn all the new features. I would recommend him to anyone looking into Kia.
Nov 01, 2024
Kain was very helpful, kind, and knowledgeable throughout
Kain was very helpful, kind, and knowledgeable throughout the entire process. He was not pushy at all, and I would highly recommend him!
Jul 22, 2024
Our experience at RD Kia Waukesha was amazing!
Our experience at RD Kia Waukesha was amazing! We leased a new Sportage for our daughter. We had been to several other dealers and were so glad we walked into Russ Darrow. We were immediately met by Kain who quickly set us up with information about what Sportages were on the lot. When they didn’t have the color we wanted he involved his manager, Gil, who was able to find one right away from another dealership. We got the leasing worked out painlessly. Kain and Gil went out of their way to ensure we had the best affordable deal we could get. Shannon did our financing and she was fast and very informative. Overall we were incredibly impressed with Kain who made the entire process fun and an enjoyable experience.
Jul 16, 2024
The people were all very friendly and seemed genuine.
The people were all very friendly and seemed genuine. While I realize that's their job, they were very personable and took the time I needed to make a decision. Marcus and his trainee were patient and kind overall. Marcus was a good person to train the new employee and took the time to teach him customer relations which was important to me.
Jun 29, 2024
I had a great experience!
I had a great experience! Wally and the team were very friendly and helpful! I’d recommend this dealership to everyone. I love my new car!
Kara Snedecor
Product Specialist
Jan 16, 2025
Very friendly, and willing to help.
Very friendly, and willing to help. Always asks if you need a ride or if you are going to wait. They keep you informed on your car.
Jan 16, 2025
I received excellent service, as always.
I received excellent service, as always. An oil change, tire rotation, and recalled part replacement only took an hour and a half to complete.
Jan 16, 2025
Excellent service!
Excellent service! Good service, they work very well and super fast I recommend them 100% with all my acquaintances always
Mar 07, 2024
Very curious, friendly and will find the car for you.
Very curious, friendly and will find the car for you... even picking it up from their other dealership for your review.
Anna Bacigalupo
Product Specialist
Mar 30, 2024
When I walked in the door I was not met with some greasy
When I walked in the door I was not met with some greasy car sales person. In fact just the opposite if you are looking for a kind friendly face look no further than Anna! She was so nice and helped me through every step of the way. Anna was knowledgeable on the vehicles and was not pushy and anything she’s didn’t know she was quick to learn! I have been to many different dealerships and this one is top notch! Very friendly and willing to work with my wife and I. If you are looking to lease or buy a car I would highly recommend Russ Darrow Kia of Waukesha! They are not pushy or “sales oriented” they helped my wife stay within our budget and made the process simple and easy. Gil was super friendly and answered my questions. He then reached out to me personally the next day and made sure the vehicle was running smoothly and made sure I was still a “happy customer”. A huge thank you to Gil, Anna and everyone else that helped us! I will definitely be back!
