Bill O’Hara stands as a seasoned veteran in the automotive industry, currently serving as the VP & GM of Operations for Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates, located on West Golf Road in Hoffman Estates, IL. His journey to this leadership role is marked by decades of experience, beginning from his early days as a part-time porter in 1977 while still in high school. This foundational experience instilled in him the critical importance of customer service – a principle that has guided his successful career.
Bill O'Hara, VP & GM of Operations for Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter of Hoffman Estates
Throughout his career progression through sales and management, Bill honed invaluable skills that proved instrumental in his entrepreneurial success. Notably, he owned his own dealership from 1994 to 2012, achieving an impressive milestone of 2,000 unit sales of new and used vehicles in 1999. This achievement underscores his deep understanding of the automotive market and his commitment to delivering outstanding results.
Since January 2020, Bill has been overseeing operations not only at Mercedes-Benz/Sprinter of Hoffman Estates but also at INFINITI of Hoffman Estates and Jaguar Land Rover Schaumburg within the Zeigler Auto Group. His journey with Zeigler began in 2013 when he was appointed GM of BMW of Orland Park. His leadership expanded further in 2015, becoming VP and GM of Operations in Orland Park, overseeing multiple dealerships after Zeigler’s acquisition of MINI, Nissan, and INFINITI of Orland Park.
Bill credits Zeigler Auto Group’s promote-from-within culture as a significant reason for his enthusiasm and dedication to the company. Having experienced this firsthand in Orland Park, he is passionate about fostering similar growth opportunities at Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg. He emphasizes the unique family-owned and family-run nature of Zeigler Auto Group, praising CEO Aaron Zeigler’s visionary leadership and the positive, engaging work environment he has cultivated. Bill’s commitment is to ensure employees are excited and motivated to come to work, and he actively promotes internal advancement, valuing the professional growth of team members within the company.
Outside of his demanding role at Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates and Zeigler Auto Group, Bill cherishes his personal life in Orland Park, IL, with his wife Wanda of 32 years. They are proud parents to three adult children. A Michigan native, Bill enjoys quality time with his grandson, golfing, boating, and participating in a 25-year snowmobile drag racing tradition with his son. His multifaceted life reflects a well-rounded individual who brings dedication and passion to both his professional and personal pursuits, making him a key asset to Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates and the wider Zeigler organization.
