‘Carman the Car Man’ named 2023 Jackson Apple Festival Grand Marshal

Marc Carman, a well-known and highly respected local car dealer who is commonly referred to as “Carman the Car Man,” has been named the 2023 Jackson Apple Festival Grand Marshal.

And that’s not the only reason he has to celebrate. This past year, Carman celebrated 50 years in the automotive sales industry.

Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, the Carman family members made their way to Jackson County in late 1969 when Marc’s father, Bob Carman, purchased the former Pontiac-Buick dealership that was located at 275 Portsmouth St. in Jackson. That location recently served as the Jackson County Courthouse Annex and was recently purchased by local entrepreneurs Jamey and Jennifer Ratcliff.

Carman previously explained to The Telegram that his father, while working for a Pontiac dealership in Indianapolis, decided to branch out on his own, which required him to move quite some distance away so as to not compete with his employer at the time. That decision led to the birth of “Bob Carman Pontiac and Buick,” and in turn, to the start of a career for Bob’s son that has now spanned five decades and counting.

The Carman family first moved to Wellston in late 1969. Marc attended Wellston High School for roughly six months during his sophomore year before the family was able to find a home in Jackson. During his junior and senior years at Jackson High School, Marc would help his father at the dealership washing and detailing vehicles, fetching gas, and so on. After graduation, he wanted to do something bigger, and opted to follow in his father’s footsteps. Carman the Car Man officially got his start selling cars in June 1972.

For the first nine years of his career in the automotive industry, Marc worked alongside his dad until Bob closed the dealership in 1981. Marc then ventured out into what he describes as his “college education,” working for various local dealerships such as Coll Auto Sales, Dallas Chevrolet, Barnett Ford, Ricart, Smith Chevrolet, and Don Wood Automotive. Along the way, he met Sandy, his wife of 44 years, with whom he shares daughter Amanda (Carman) Oliver, son Chris Carman, and four grandchildren.

In 1996, the first Carman’s Used Cars and Trucks opened on Huron Street in Jackson. Since that time, the business moved to one other location along State Route 93 before opening in its current location (just off State Route 93 at Standpipe Road) in 2004. Currently, the dealership at 68 Standpipe Road has a staff of eight, including Marc, who does sales and “a little bit of everything.” His son Chris Carman, serves as the General Manager and is described by Marc as a “jack of all trades.” Wife Sandy handles the accounting side of the family business. Veteran salesman Scott Sheets has been with the business for close to 15 years, as there are also two full-time mechanics and two detailers on the employees’ roster.

Carman’s Used Cars and Trucks is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 68 Standpipe Road in Jackson.

Carman has also been active in the community and supported worthy activities, events and projects over the year. He has been an active member of the Jackson Area Kiwanis Club for approximately 10 years and has served in the past as the president.