Zeigler Auto Group Announces Bill Fulmerhouser and Ryan Mullen as its 2024 Rising Tech Award Winners
Zeigler Automotive Group today announced Billy Fulmerhouser of Zeigler Ford of Lowell and Ryan Mullen of Zeigler Honda as its 2024 Rising Tech Award winners. The award is part of an initiative established in 2019 to recognize rising service talent within the dealership group.
KALAMAZOO, MICH. (February 29, 2024)Â Zeigler Auto Group today announced two new honorees for its 2024 Rising Tech Award: Billy Fulmerhouser of Zeigler Ford of Lowell and Ryan Mullen of Zeigler Honda of Kalamazoo.
The Zeigler Rising Tech award is decided based upon previous year's performance. The first step in qualifying is earning the recommendation and endorsement of the technician's service manager. Since a technician is not able to ask for a recommendation, it's an honor to just be considered for the award. However, being recommended will only put the technician in the running as all Zeigler service managers have the same opportunity. If you take into consideration the total number of service departments (41) in the Zeigler organization, this is quite an honor.
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Zeigler service managers will consider several key factors when considering their recommendation. Some examples include: overall skill set, comebacks, attendance, attitude, completion of manufacturer certifications, and desire to become a Master Technician. It's really a combination of a number of indicators that say this technician could someday become one of the next top performers at Zeigler Auto Group and earn a President's Circle Honor among the best!
This year Fulmerhouser is being recognized as the domestic winner, and Mullen as the 2024 import winner.
 Mullen, who graduated at number one in his class at Zeigler University Technician School, had this to say about earning the distinction:"It's an honor to have earned this award. I really appreciate the recognition and opportunities Zeigler has provided for me in my career."
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Fulmerhouser, Zeigler's 2024 Rising Tech domestic winner, also earned the Zeigler Champion of Excellence - PRIDE Award in 2023. This award is a prestigious accolade given to employees who exemplify the principles of Zeigler P.R.I.D.E: which stands for Passion, Reputation, Integrity, Drive, and Execution. What is unique about this award is that the winner must be nominated by their peers to be considered.
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When Fulmerhouser was asked about winning the Rising Tech Award and he said, "Wow, I'm kind of at a loss for words. This is awesome and I really appreciate that Zeigler does something like this."Â ulmerhouser is a graduate of Universal Technical Institute and the Ford FACT advanced training program offered at UTI.
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The award program, which was established in 2019, recognizes rising service talent within the entire dealer group, with winners also invited to the 2024 President's Circle celebration where the top 20 service technicians and top 10 service advisors celebrate together with Zeigler president Aaron Zeigler at a special event.Â
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During the event, honorees will share in a day of camaraderie with other high performers across the auto group. Activities vary year to year but could be anything from racing cars at a NASCAR Track, attending a Cubs game, or enjoying some off -road fun at Zeigler's Motocross Park in Kalamazoo, MI. The winners will also receive customized crystal trophies at a special luncheon recognizing them for this high achievement.Â
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ABOUT ZEIGLER AUTO GROUP
Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 84 franchises across 41 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 2,500 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2023.
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 Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor's 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2024, and among Glassdoor's top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.