Meet Our Staff

Dealer Principals


Joe Steet Sr.

Joe Steet Sr.

Dealer Principal

Joe Steet Sr. has been working in the car business his entire life starting at age 11 reconditioning cars for his father and uncle's business, United Auto Sales! He lives locally in New Hartford, NY with his wife where they raised their two children, Joe Jr. and Carly, who also work in the family business! In the warmer weather, he loves riding his Harley Davidson with his wife, skiing at Gore Mountain in the winters, and spending time at his camp in Indian Lake in the summers with his family, especially his two grandchildren.

Steve Ponte Sr.

Steve Ponte Sr.

Dealer Principal

Steve Ponte Sr. has been working in the car business for over 30 years! He lives locally in Herkimer, NY with his wife, where they raised their four children. Steve's son, Steve Jr. also works in the family business! Steve is an avid golfer, having golfed at some of the world's best courses. He loves to spend time with his family, especially with his nine grandchildren, and taking their family trips to Lake George, Florida, and Disney!

Sales Department


Steven Cater

Steven Cater

General Manager

Steve Cater is a longtime employee of Steet Ponte Ford, you may recognize his last name as his family owned Cater Lincoln Mercury! Steve has over 33 years of experience in the car business, and has been working with us for the past 18 years! He was promoted to General Manager in mid-2024. He lives in Whitesboro with his wife and two children. In his spare time, he loves snowmobiling in the winter, and spending time with his family. His favorite Ford is the Mustang GT!

Phil Higgins

Phil Higgins

Sales Manager

Phil Higgins is a Sales Manager at Steet Ponte Ford and is a longtime employee of our store! He started as a Sales & Leasing Consultant and was promoted in mid-2024 to Sales Manager! He lives in Oriskany with his wife, and his favorite Ford is the F-150! Phil is a huge sports fan and loves to watch all kinds of sports. He's a huge New York fan, and his favorite teams include: The New York Giants, New York Yankees, and New York Knicks!

Warren Jefford

Warren Jefford

Sales Manager

Warren Jefford is the Sales Manager here at Steet Ponte Ford, who recently started working with us in late 2020! He comes to us with many years of experience in the Auto Industry, over 18 total with experience with a few different auto makes! Warren currently lives in New Hartford with his family, but originates from the U.K. in Manchester, England! His favorite Ford is the Ford Explorer, and in his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, and following his favorite Soccer team, Manchester United!

Dave Abdou

Dave Abdou

Sales & Leasing Consultant

Dave Abdou is a Sales Consultant at Steet Ponte Ford who started working with us in early 2018, having recently retired from his GM position in mid-2024! Dave is a veteran of the Automotive Industry, and lives locally in Whitesboro, NY with his wife and family. In his spare time, Dave enjoys golfing, running and spending time with his two grandchildren! His favorite Ford is the Ford Explorer.

Garrett Crane

Garrett Crane

Sales & Leasing Consultant

Garrett Crane is a Sales & Leasing Consultant who joined our team in early 2024! Garrett lives locally in Frankfort, NY and in his spare time, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family and friends. His favorite Ford is the Ford Explorer.

Anthony Fanelli

Anthony Fanelli

Sales & Leasing Consultant

Anthony Fanelli is a Sales & Leasing Consultant at Steet Ponte Ford who joined our team in mid-2024! Anthony lives locally in New Hartford, NY, and in his spare time, he enjoys golfing and spending time with his family and friends! His favorite Ford is the classic Ford Mustang.

Tony Hinojosa

Tony Hinojosa

Sales & Leasing Consultant

Tony Hinojosa is a Sales & Leasing Consultant at Steet Ponte Ford! Tony is a longtime employee here; his favorite Ford is the Ford Escape. You'll probably see him driving around town in his own Ford Escape! Tony lives in Whitesboro, and in his spare time, he loves to play pool and volleyball!

Rich Josephs

Rich Josephs

Sales & Leasing Consultant

Rich Josephs is a Sales & Leasing Consultant at Steet Ponte Ford! Rich lives in Oriskany with his wife and kids, who he loves spending time with! His favorite Ford is the Ford Fusion. He's also an avid sports fan, having played basketball when he was younger. He loves to watch football and baseball, and his favorite teams are the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees!

Chris Russell

Chris Russell

Sales & Leasing Consultant

Chris Russell is a Sales & Leasing Consultant at Steet Ponte Ford who joined our team in early 2026! Chris lives locally in Frankfort, NY, and in his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. Chris' favorite Ford is the Ford Ranger, which he drives himself!

AJ Schirripa

AJ Schirripa

Sales & Leasing Consultant

AJ Schirripa is a Sales & Leasing Consultant who joined our team in mid-2025! AJ lives locally in Whitesboro, NY and in his spare time he enjoys playing and watching sports, from golf to football, hockey and baseball! His favorite Ford is the classic Ford F-150 pickup truck.

Doug Valentine

Doug Valentine

Sales & Leasing Consultant

Doug Valentine is a Sales & Leasing Consultant who recently started working with us at the end of 2017! He live locally in Whitesboro, NY, and in his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball, working on cars, and playing video games. His favorite Ford is the Ford Mustang GT350!

Rich Zajac

Rich Zajac

Sales & Leasing Consultant

Rich Zajac is a Sales & Leasing Consultant and a longtime employee of the Steet Ponte Auto Group! He lives in Whitesboro with his son and their dog. Rich is an avid Football and Baseball fan, and in his spare time, you'll catch him coaching both sports! His favorite Ford is the Ford Fusion.

Internet Department


Valerie Rinaldi

Valerie Rinaldi

Sr. Business Development Representative

Valerie Rinaldi is the Sr. Business Development Representative at Steet Ponte Ford! She started working with us in 2018 and is the person you will be speaking to when you send in an inquiry on a vehicle on our website! Valerie lives locally in Utica, NY, and in her spare time she likes to spend time with family and friends. She loves taking her son to the Utica College Hockey games and Utica FC Soccer Games! Valerie's favorite Ford is the Escape, which she also drives herself.

Finance Department


Rich Ernst

Rich Ernst

Financial Services Manager

Rich Ernst is one of the Finance Managers at Steet Ponte Ford and has been in the industry for over 15 years, having worked with us since 2006! Rich lives in Marcy with his wife and their two dogs. Rich loves to take advantage of the Upstate New York seasons by snowmobiling in the winters, and boating and fishing in the summers! His favorite Ford is the Ford Raptor.

Service Department


Tony Magee

Tony Magee

Service Manager

Tony Magee is our Service Manager at Steet Ponte Ford who started working with us in mid-2021! He lives locally in Whitesboro, NY and his favorite Ford is the Ford F-150. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends

George Lyon

George Lyon

Service Advisor & Assistant Service Manager

George Lyon is a Service Advisor & our Assistant Service Manager at Steet Ponte Ford who started working with us in mid-2021! He lives locally in Herkimer, NY and in his spare time he enjoys gardening. His favorite Ford is the new Ford Mustang Mach

Christian Armstrong

Christian Armstrong

Service Advisor

Christian Armstrong is a Service Advisor at Steet Ponte Ford who joined the front end of the Service Department in late 2025, as he previously worked in our Reconditioning Department! Christian lives locally in Rome, NY, and in his spare time he enjoys modifying cars and spending time with his family and friends. His favorite Ford vehicle is the Ford Mustang.

William Goodie

William Goodie

Service Dispatcher

Bill Goodie is the Service Dispatcher at Steet Ponte Ford and is a longtime employee here, having worked here for over 15 years! Bill lives locally, right around the corner in Whitesboro. In his spare time, he loves riding his motorcycle in the nice weather. Bill's favorite Ford is the F-150!

Brian Rhea

Brian Rhea

Warranty Administrator

Brian Rhea is the Warranty Administrator at Steet Ponte Ford who started working with us in mid-2021! He lives locally in Middleville, NY. His favorite Ford is the Ford Mustang, and outside of work, he enjoys playing with his CSE machine.

Liz Uebelhoer

Liz Uebelhoer

Service Advisor

Liz Uebelhoer is a Service Advisor who joined our team in late 2025! Liz lives locally in Chadwicks, NY, but originally hails from Buffalo, NY. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her Husky, as well as camping and reading! Her favorite Ford vehicles are the Ford Bronco and Ford Mustang.

Samantha Windover

Samantha Windover

Service Advisor

Samantha Windover is a Service Advisor at Steet Ponte Ford who joined our team in late 2024! Samantha lives locally in Oriskany, NY, and outside of work, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite Ford is the Ford Bronco!

Parts Department


Tony Papaleo

Tony Papaleo

Parts Manager

Tony Papaleo is our Parts Manager at Steet Ponte Ford and has been working at this store since 1992! Tony's favorite Ford is the classic Ford GT. He lives locally in Deerfield with his family, and in his spare time, you'll find him spending time with his now teenager, family and friends!

Zachary Carpenter

Zachary Carpenter

Parts Consultant

Zachary Carpenter is a Parts Consultant at Steet Ponte Ford who started working with us in early 2023! He lives locally in Utica, NY and his favorite Ford vehicle is the Shelby Mustang. Outside of work, Zachary enjoys fixing up cars and playing video games!

Brandon Marsh

Brandon Marsh

Parts Consultant

Brandon Marsh is a Parts Consultant at Steet Ponte Ford who joined our team in mid-2023! He lives locally in Floyd, and in his spare time he loves golfing. His favorite Ford is the Ford Mustang!