Scott Bieler began his career with the West Herr Automotive Group in 1975 as a salesman, was promoted to Sales management in 1980. In 1981 when he was promoted to General Manager, the group only had one dealership, West Herr Ford of Hamburg. In 1983, he became partner in that Ford dealership. He was named President in 1997 and has been majority owner since 2000, along with his partners; Brad Hafner, John Wabick and Bill Loecher. Scott has helped grow the company to become the largest automotive group in New York State and one of the largest privately-owned auto groups in the country. With 40 locations in Erie, Niagara, Monroe and Ontario counties representing 27 franchises and employing over 3,200 people.
Scott’s community involvement through the years.
Current Board Positions:
Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Board-Vice Chair
Invest Buffalo Niagara-Board of Director
Daemen University-Board Member, Received Doctorate of Humane Letters
Member of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable
Past Board Positions:
Visit Buffalo Niagara
Upstate New York Federal Reserve Regional Advisory Board-5 year term
Buffalo Zoo
Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Hilbert College, Received Doctorate of Humane Letters
His civic efforts have been recognized numerous times.
Theodore Roosevelt Exemplary Citizenship Award
Outstanding Citizen by The Buffalo News
Canisius College Distinguished Citizen Award
Roswell Park’s Katherine Anne Gioia Inspiration Award
National Conference for Just Communities Citation Award
Outstanding Philanthropist through the Association of Fundraising Professionals
Hospice Buffalo Hope, Care & Dignity Award
Ford Dealer Hall of Fame Inductee
Business First Hall of Fame
Buffalo Renaissance Foundation Man of the Year
Buffalo History Museum Red Jacket Award
Through the Scott Bieler Family Foundation, Scott & Kathy have made significant leadership gifts to the following organizations:
Roswell Park Scott Bieler Clinical Sciences Center in May of 2016 at the Main Street Campus
Roswell Park Scott Bieler Amherst Center in September of 2023
Mercy Hospital in South Buffalo-renovation of the Emergency Room
Kenmore Mercy Hospital – the expansion and the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for the Medical Rehab unit in 2024
Rural Outreach Center in East Aurora-construction of the new Scott Bieler Family Foundation Rural Outreach Center Building in 2022
Jericho Road Community Health Center/Vive- purchase of the Scott Bieler Family Foundation Vive shelter at their new location at 1500 Main Street in Buffalo in 2023
BestSelf –Scott Bieler Family Foundation Center of Excellence for Children & Families facility at 899 Main Street in Buffalo in September 2024
The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Buffalo- West Herr has pledged a significant gift for the purchase of a Surgical Neurosurgery Microscope and ongoing support of the critical care programs designated through the Patricia Allen Fund in 2023
The Scott Bieler College of Health Professions at Daemen University-Purchase state of the art equipment for educational purposes, within the College of Health Professions; implementation to fund scholarships for students that are pursuing a B.S. in Nursing or a B.S./DPT in Physical Therapy in 2024
The Scott Bieler Center for Academic Excellence at Villa Maria College open in August of 2024, is signature space for students to receive critical academic, social and emotional support, and will empower Villa students to reach their full potential and achieve their dreams.
The Scott Bieler Institute for Ethical Leadership and Innovation at Niagara University is scheduled to be completed in the Spring of 2025, and will serve as a hub for ethical business practices, fostering an environment where students, faculty and community members engage in meaningful discussions and immersive learning experiences.
Hopkins Fund Leadership Council at the Jacobs Institute is an endowment to continue to fund the leadership of the Jacobs Institute and the Idea to Reality Center.
Business First of Buffalo’s “Best Places to Work in WNY” award for 20 consecutive years and the Better Business Bureau “Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics” 8 times, and was recently named the second in “Best Reputation” of all privately held dealer groups in the country by Automotive News.
The West Herr Automotive Group is dedicated to absolute excellence in customer service provided by honest, responsible, and respectful people. West Herr supports individual pride, company spirit, and community involvement.
Scott and his wife, Kathy live in West Falls. Their son Matt and his wife Tiffany have four children and live in East Aurora.
Family – Married to my best friend Melanie for 20 amazing years. We have 2 children, JP and Taylor, who’s success and happiness are our mission.
History at West Herr – Started at Ford Hamburg Service in 1994. I have worn many hats including: Warranty Administrator, Appointment Coordinator, Service Advisor, Collision CSR, Collision Manager, Service Manager, Service Director and my current position.
Interests – Skiing almost anywhere with family and friends. Hosting great events at my house, because my best allocation of time should be spent with the people I care about the most. Podcasts are my guilty pleasure. I also have to mow my lawn 1-2 times per week… my lawn mower is my stress reliever.
My goals – Inspire through leadership, listen and learn before responding or reacting, and be generous with my time and attention.
Ambition: To travel to all 50 states with my family, we have 26 down and will add 11 to the total this summer
Personal: Married to Tony, and we have three children – two adults out on their own and one teenager still at home.
Life before West Herr: After a short stint in property management, I spent a year working in a battered women’s shelter as a volunteer coordinator/case manager. After that I moved from Massachusetts to Orchard Park where I spent 22 years working for an insurance company in an administrative capacity.
College: Fairfield University, Fairfield CT – BA in Psychology
Career at West Herr: Started in 2016 – Executive Assistant to John Wabick, Vice President
