Meet Our Dealership Staff

Denny Gates
General Sales Manager


Email Denny Today!!
(860) 456-0055
Denny Gates grew up at Gates GMC Nissan. Having worked in all departments throughout his lifetime he understands the dealership and its customers they serve daily! The family business has been built on referrals and honest hard work - caring for the customer and the employee. There are many family generations that work within the company and he has been one of the biggest fans of the Gates auto group since he could remember. Watching this company start with a whopping 9 employees it now has 297 teammates strong, which makes him very proud! This company and its staff give their life to serving others and this makes him happy to be a part of a great team that shines in and out of the retail arena from huge fundraising and community involvement to caring for the customer as if they were family. In the world of Gates everyone is number 1! Please join us & enjoy what so many others enjoy everyday!
Ryan is relatively new to Gates GMC Nissan as our Sales Manager. He brings with him 10 solid years of experience. Ryan is very excited to be part of an outstanding, award winning organization that makes it happen on a consistent, daily basis. "We guarantee your experience will be nothing short of 100% from the initial greeting to the service after the sale." Ryan lives in Colchester, CT with his wife Bethany and is a huge Tennessee Titans fan as well as an avid cyclist.
Ryan Lapierre
Sales Manager

Email Ryan Today!!
860-456-0055
Nick Truax
Business Manager

Email Nick Today!!
860-456-0055
Come visit Nick today for all of your financing needs. Nick works with dozens of banks to make sure he can get you the absolute best rates available.
Bob has been with Gates GMC Nissan for 14 years and has just recently sold his 2000th unit here at Gates. Bob also hold the highest customer satisfaction ranking. "A customer is a precious commodity, if you don't take care of them, someone else will.
Robert Lussier
Sales & Leasing Consultant

 
Email Bob Today!!
860-456-0055

Ralph Clement
Sales & Leasing Consultant
860-456-0055
Ralph came to ECSU in 1980. Loved the area so much that he bought land and built a log home for his wife Carol and daughter Angelika. As far as cars go, Ralphs father tells him that he wouldn’t stop talking about them at 3yrs old and nothing has changed since. He bought his first car at 13 yrs old; a 1965 Corvair convertible, and sold his first car at 14. Ralph has personally owned over 80 vehicles! He lives, eats, and breathes the automobile. Ralph has been working here at Gates since February of 1988. He looks forward to selling you your next vehicle; Here at Gates we have "The right vehicle at the right price!"

Paul has lived in Storrs, CT for 9 years with his wife Christina, daughter Adriana, and son Peter. He has 20 years experience in automotive sales with 4 years at Gates GMC Nissan. Paul is also an avid NY Yankees fan!

Paul Mazza
Sales & Leasing Consultant


Email Paul Today!!
860-456-0055

 Jeff Kasper
Sales & Leasing Consultant/ Swap Manager



Email Jeff Today!!
860-456-0055

 
Salesman by day, Rock Star at night!
 
Jeff has been a salesman with Gates GMC Nissan since 2001 and in the past couple of years taken on the inventory manager position as well. He was born and raised in Eastford, CT and went to Woodstock Academy before working in his family's business, Kasper Builders and Kasper Construction. Even during that time he had ties to Gates. Every year the business would purchase a new vehicle and personal vehicles for the family. His first vehicle purchase was a 1987 GMC S-15 from Gates when we first opened our doors. After an injury Jeff opened his own dealership, Minuteman Emergency Vehicles, in Southbridge, MA. Still keeping his ties to Gates, purchasing chassis for ambulance conversions.

Even with the long hours he spends at the dealership he has time for his passion of music, playing in a local cover band "Bad Dog". You will find him blazing on a guitar and singing his heart our on the weekends, and if you get a chance check him out.
Brian is one of our new additions to the Gates Team, bringing over 8 years of experience to the table. Brian is a graduate of Three Rivers College. When Brian is not working he is spending his free time with his 2 year old son Raiden. Brian is very passionate about football and a huge New York Jets Fan.
 Brian Howe
Floor Manager

Email Brian Today!!
860-456-0055
James Satalino
Sales & Leasing Consultant

Email Jimmy Today!!
860-456-0055

James lives in Chaplin, CT and when he started working for this company in 2003 he was stocking shelves in the parts department! A lot has changed since then, but the principals are the same, hard work and dedication equal happy customers and proud owners. He will personally make sure that you enjoy your experience here at Gates GMC Nissan.

Eric is new to the team, but not new to the area.  As a 2007 Alumni of The University of Connecticut where he played rugby he lived in Mansfield Center for 2 years and now owns a home in New London.  He is an avid athlete and sports fan. Eric is a hometown fan of the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox and will certainly let you know about it.  He has a dog named Champ and puts all of his spare time into him. Eric has been around the business for his entire life and has been playing with cars since he could touch the pedals. He has been certified in 6 different car manufacturers, so he certainly knows his stuff. Come in and meet him, he will always go above and beyond, no matter who you are!

Eric Gates
Sales & Purchasing Consultant

Email Eric Today!!

860-456-0055
 Brian O'Keefe
Sales & Leasing Consultant

Email Brian Today!!
860-456-0055

Hello neighbors, I am from Pomfret Connecticut I have been in the car business for five years. I have been in Massachuttes for the last five years. There is no place like Northeastern Connecticut. The apple orchards, the corn fields and the friendly smiles I missed most of all. You never know how good you have it until you see it from the other side. Well, in my spare time you can catch me at Mashamoquet state park mountain biking, Raceway golfing or maybe I will see you up at the slopes at Gunstock snowboarding.
When folks in the Windham area think of purchasing a vehicle one of the first names that comes to mind is Jay Handfield. Jay has been in the automotive business for over 20 years and has built a solid reputation as someone you can trust to get you a great deal and to make sure you are completely satisfied after the sale. Prior to the car business Jay and his dad, J.Remy Handfield owned and operated Remy’s a sandwich shop located in beautiful downtown Willimantic. Jay resides in Windham Center with his lovely bride Linda, and this year they will be celebrating 35 years of marriage. They have two daughters Megan and Shana who live in the area and enjoy spending time with their two grandchildren ages 2years and 4 months. Jay invites his friends and previous customers to stop down and see him for all their automotive needs.  Jay Handfield
Sales & Leasing Consultant

Email Jay Today!!
860-456-0055

 Paul Bacon
Sales & Leasing Consultant

Email Paul Today!!
860-456-0055

Paul grew up in the Windham area. He entered the auto business in 1989, after returning to the area from serving in the US Coast Guard and US Air force. He now resides in Mansfield with his wife, Shannon and two boys, PJ and Nate. Paul is the newest member of the Gates Sales Team and he welcomes all his previous customers to come and see him about any automotive needs.
Jeremy was born and raised in the quiet corner of Connecticut. He is a graduate of New England Institute of Technology and is very excited to be serving customers and doing what he enjoys. Jeremy lives in the town of Canterbury and is a huge Celtics and UConn basketball fan. In his spare time he enjoys playing sports and relaxing with family and friends.
 Jeremy King
Sales & Leasing Consultant

Email Jeremy Today!!
860-208-7055 cell
860-456-0055 office