Bill O’Hara stands as a seasoned veteran in the automotive industry, currently serving as the Vice President and General Manager of Operations for Mercedes-benz Of Hoffman Estates. His journey to this leadership role is marked by decades of experience and a deep understanding of what drives success in the automotive business. Before joining Zeigler Auto Group, O’Hara had already built an impressive career, including owning his own dealership from 1994 to 2012, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen.
Bill O'Hara VP and GM at Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates, a Zeigler Auto Group dealership.
O’Hara’s automotive career began in 1977 as a part-time porter while still in high school. This entry-level position provided him with a foundational understanding of the industry from the ground up. He progressively advanced through sales and management roles, honing crucial skills in customer service – a principle he recognized as essential for any thriving business. This dedication to customer satisfaction was instrumental in his achievement of selling 2,000 new and used vehicles in a single year at his own dealership in 1999, a testament to his sales and management expertise.
In his present role, Bill O’Hara oversees not only Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates and Sprinter of Hoffman Estates, but also INFINITI of Hoffman Estates, and Jaguar Land Rover Schaumburg. His promotion to this expanded position in January 2020 reflects his proven leadership and operational capabilities within Zeigler Auto Group. Prior to this, since joining Zeigler in 2013, he held significant leadership positions, starting as General Manager of BMW of Orland Park. His responsibilities grew in 2015 after Zeigler’s acquisition of MINI of Orland Park, Zeigler Nissan of Orland Park, and INFINITI of Orland Park. He was then promoted to VP and GM of Operations in Orland Park, a role he held until December 2019, successfully managing a large regional operation.
A key aspect of Zeigler Auto Group that resonates with O’Hara is its culture of internal promotion. He experienced this firsthand in the Orland Park locations and is committed to fostering the same growth opportunities at Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg. This philosophy is central to his leadership approach, aiming to cultivate a motivated and engaged team.
“Being part of Zeigler Auto Group is truly special,” O’Hara states. “It’s a family-owned and family-run organization. Aaron Zeigler is an exceptional CEO and a true visionary! The culture he has instilled within our team and employees is infectious. We want our team members to be excited to come to work each day. Promoting from within our group is a priority, and it is incredibly rewarding to see our employees develop within the company and achieve their personal aspirations.” This emphasis on employee growth and a positive work environment contributes significantly to the success of Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates and the wider Zeigler Auto Group.
Outside of his demanding role at Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates, Bill O’Hara resides in Orland Park, IL, with Wanda, his wife of 32 years. They have three children: Courtney, Kelly, and Will. Interestingly, Will O’Hara is following in his father’s footsteps as the current General Manager of BMW of Orland Park, highlighting a family legacy in the automotive industry. In his leisure time, this Michigan native enjoys family moments with his grandson, golfing, boating, and a 25-year tradition of professional snowmobile drag racing with his son, showcasing a well-rounded life beyond his professional achievements at Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates.
