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Jason Gumbis and Mike Connolly Honored with Coveted 2022 Zeigler Legacy Tribute Award
Zeigler Auto Group presents two new winners with its coveted Zeigler Legacy Tribute Award at its annual holiday party on Saturday, December 12, 2022, naming Zeigler Controller Jason Gumbis, and Hoffman Mercedes and Infiniti GM Mike Connolly, as its newest honorees. The Zeigler Legacy Tribute is the highest honor anyone can receive at the organization, exemplifying a leader who has impacted numerous lives throughout their tenure at the organization.Â
Kalamazoo, Michigan (December 19, 2022) - Jason Gumbis, Zeigler's Controller, and Mike Connolly, GM at Zeigler Mercedes Benz and Infiniti of Hoffman Estates, were awarded this year's Zeigler Legacy Tribute Award at Zeigler Auto Group's annual holiday party. The Zeigler Legacy Tribute is a coveted award that exemplifies a leader who has impacted numerous lives throughout their tenure at the organization.
"Receiving the Legacy Tribute Award is the most amazing feeling of emotion and sense of accomplishment in my 29yrs in the industry. I never take for granted the faith and trust that our teammates have in me to be their leader. Relationships, culture building and developing others for their own personal and professional growth is what drives me every day. I believe in making a positive impact in the lives of others by providing an environment that is conducive to overall team success, where everyone can be their absolute best to serve each other and our customers," said Mike Connolly GM at Zeigler Mercedes Benz and Infiniti of Hoffman Estates, and 2022 Zeigler Legacy Tribute Award Winner.
Since 2009 the award has been the highest honor anyone can receive at Zeigler with one or two winners chosen annually and announced at the organization's holiday party in Kalamazoo. This honor has been presented to 21 winners throughout the years! There is seldom a dry eye when the winner is announced and standing ovations from the Zeigler team of over 650 people in the audience. The winners are presented with a beautifully framed award with their name, and a written diamond drop from the company's CEO and president Aaron J. Zeigler, as well as countless other messages from friends, family and team members.
"Receiving the Legacy Tribute Award was such an honor. I have always enjoyed working and being a part of Team Zeigler. Back in the day I would try and learn as much as I could. I was focused on reaching my goal of being the controller for Kalamazoo. There are always new and exciting things to learn but now I feel the coin has flipped. One of the favorite parts of my job now is teaching and growing others by helping them to become a more integral part of the organization. I look forward to celebrating next year's Legacy winners," said Jason Gumbis, Zeigler's Controller, and 2022 Zeigler Legacy Tribute Award Winner.
Jason Gumbis and Mike Connolly were guests on Zeigler's Driving Vision Podcast hosted by Sam D'Arc. They shared what it meant to be honored with this prestigious award personally and how it inspires them to continue creating a legacy in others every day. "Tomorrow is not promised to any of us and for others to tell you how impactful you have been, it feels great. I was so appreciative," said Mike Connolly.
The accolade is made even more special with team members often joining the honoree on stage to help Aaron and company founder, Harold Zeigler presents the coveted award, while sharing what the award-winner means to them. This award is another display of Zeigler's ongoing commitment to sustaining and expanding a World-Class Culture!
Past recipients include notable Zeigler leaders such as Dan Scheid, Matt Thomas, Mike Van Ryn, Ray Griffin, Kevin Galer, Sandra Klavins-Maslen, Melissa Kuiper, Joe St. Germain, Bob Kuehl, Mike Davidson, David Gould, Lindsey Myers, Tom Kellogg, Bill O'Hara, Ken Francisco, Chryl Procarione and Chris Zeppenfeld. Also among past winners are current company CEO and president Aaron J. Zeigler, and founder and past CEO and president Harold Zeigler.
 Click below to watch Jason Gumbis receiving his Legacy Tribute Award:
 
Click below to watch Mike Connolly receiving his Legacy Tribute Award:
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ABOUT ZEIGLER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 78 franchises across 35 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers.
Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company.
The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns and operates Zeigler Pre-Owned of Chicago, three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.
Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,300 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2022. The family-owned and operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Chicago and Michigan.
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