Bill O’Hara stands as a seasoned veteran in the automotive industry, currently serving as the VP & GM of Operations for Mercedes-Benz/Sprinter of Hoffman Estates and Jaguar Land Rover Schaumburg. His journey, marked by dedication and a deep understanding of customer service, makes him a key figure at Mercedes-Benz Schaumburg and the wider Zeigler Auto Group.
Before his impactful role at Zeigler, O’Hara cultivated an impressive career spanning several management positions and even successful dealership ownership from 1994 to 2012. His automotive roots trace back to 1977 when he began as a part-time porter while still in high school. This ground-up experience, progressing through sales and management, instilled in him invaluable lessons about customer relations and their pivotal role in business success. This expertise culminated in an impressive 2,000-unit sales year for both new and used vehicles at his own dealership in 1999.
Bill O'Hara VP and GM of Mercedes-Benz Schaumburg
Today, Bill’s leadership extends across multiple prestigious dealerships, including Mercedes-Benz/Sprinter of Hoffman Estates, INFINITI of Hoffman Estates, and Jaguar Land Rover Schaumburg. His promotion to this encompassing role in January 2020 followed years of dedicated service and leadership within Zeigler Auto Group. He initially joined Zeigler in 2013 as GM of BMW of Orland Park. Following Zeigler’s expansion in 2015 with the acquisition of MINI of Orland Park, Zeigler Nissan of Orland Park, and INFINITI of Orland Park, Bill’s responsibilities grew as he was promoted to VP and GM of Operations in Orland Park. He held this significant position until December of the previous year, demonstrating his consistent ability to manage and lead effectively.
One of the aspects Bill O’Hara appreciates most about Zeigler Auto Group is its strong promote-from-within culture. He experienced this firsthand at the Orland Park locations and is committed to fostering the same growth-oriented environment at both Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg locations, including Mercedes-Benz Schaumburg. This internal growth philosophy is central to Zeigler’s ethos.
“Being part of Zeigler Auto Group is truly special,” Bill states. “It’s a family-owned and operated organization. Aaron Zeigler is an exceptional CEO with incredible vision. The culture he has cultivated within our team and among our employees is contagious. We want our team members to be excited about coming to work each day. Promoting from within our group is a priority, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see our employees advance within the company and achieve their personal aspirations.” This sentiment underscores the dedication to employee growth and satisfaction that defines the operational philosophy at Mercedes-Benz Schaumburg and the wider Zeigler group.
Residing in Orland Park, IL, with his wife Wanda of 32 years, Bill is a family man with three children: Courtney (29), a Sr. Business Process Associate at Help at Home; Kelly (26), an ERP Business Systems Analyst at Viega LLC; and Will O’Hara (31), who currently serves as the GM of BMW of Orland Park. Outside of his demanding professional life overseeing operations for Mercedes-Benz Schaumburg and other dealerships, Bill, originally from Michigan, enjoys family time, particularly with his grandson. His leisure activities include golfing, boating, and a 25-year tradition of professional snowmobile drag racing with his son, showcasing a balanced life both professionally and personally.
