Maine Auto Business Founder Tom Auger Sr. Dies

Published: October 8, 2010

Tom Auger Sr., founder of VIP Discount Auto Center in Lewiston, Maine, died Oct. 6. He was 82.

After injuries ended his budding professional baseball career, Auger started his business in 1955 after an economic downturn cost him his sales job with the then B.F. Goodrich Tire Co. With $300 and a used tire changer, he opened L&A Tire and Service.

In 1976, Auger changed the focus of the business to auto parts and accessories and changed the named to VIP Discount Auto Center.

By the time he sold the business in 2001, VIP Discount had 46 stores across New England. And some of the money he made from the sale – checks of tens of thousands of dollars – were given to surprised employees. In all, some $2 million was spent rewarding those loyal to him and the business.

Ascot Supply Corp. promotes Mark Paquette to vice president

Paquette will work under the direction of current President David Kessler and officially begin his new role on June 3.

By Christian Hinton

Published: May 14, 2024

Ascot Supply Corporation, based in Newnan, Georgia, has selected Mark Paquette for the newly created position of vice president. In this position, Ascot Supply said Paquette will oversee the growth of the company's products, corporate profitability, manage marketing and advertising and assume many other responsibilities.

He will work under the direction of current President David Kessler and officially begin his new role on June 3. Paquette joined the tire and automotive industry in the early 1980s at his father's tire shop, and his contributions to Mohawk Rubber Sales were instrumental in the company's growth and eventual sale to Myers Tire Supply in 2021, according to Ascot Supply. Paquette eventually was given a promotion to the role of director of operations at Myers Tire Supply.