Executive Team

A native of Orchard Park, Scott Bieler began his career with the West Herr Automotive Group in 1975 as a salesman, was promoted to Sales management in 1980, General Manager in 1981, and became President in 1997, and has been principal majority owner since 2000, along with his partners; Brad Hafner, John Wabick and Bill Loecher. Employing over 2,800 people, he has helped grow the company to become the largest automotive group in New York State and the 17th largest auto group in the country. 

Scott’s community involvement has been extensive through the years. 

Current Board Positions:

• Vice Chair of the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Board, and co-chaired their capital campaign to build the new Bieler Clinical Sciences Center
• Board of Director-Visit Buffalo Niagara
• Board of Director-Invest Buffalo Niagara
• Member of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable
• Board of Director-Daemen College. Received honorary degree: Doctor of Humane Letters 

Past Board Positions:

• Upstate New York Federal Reserve Regional Advisory Board for 5 years 
• Buffalo Zoo
• Buffalo Niagara Partnership, 
• Hilbert College, Received honorary degree: Doctor 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 

West Herr, which was founded in 1950, started as a single point Ford Dealership in Hamburg, New York, and is the largest automotive group in New York State. Since 1950, West Herr has sold over 1,200,000 vehicles. With 35 locations in Erie, Niagara, Monroe and Ontario counties representing 24 franchises and over 2,800 employees.  In 2021, West Herr sold nearly 60,000 vehicles and serviced more than 470,000 vehicles.  West Herr has received Business First of Buffalo’s “Best Places to Work in WNY” award for 18 consecutive years and the Better Business Bureau “Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics” 8 times. 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.

***NOTE – the bio below was written by Mr. Hafner. West Herr makes no claims or endorsements about these representations. Read at your own risk : )***

MY “BIO”

BIRTH 10/14/1928

DEATH ANYBODY’S GUESS

EDUCATION – QUIT HIGH SCHOOL AND JOINED THE U.S. NAVY IN THE 1940’S (WE WON IN SPITE OF ME)

CAREER – WORKED FOR FORD FINAL ASSEMBLY PLANT FOR 8 DAYS (THAT WAS 7 DAYS TOO MANY)

WORKED FOR BELL AIRCRAFT FOR 9 YEARS. TOOK ME THAT LONG TO PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS

WORKED AT WEST HERR IN SALES FOR “60 YEARS” WHY??? COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING BETTER

ATHLETIC ABILITY – WISH I WAS AS GOOD AS I THOUGHT I WAS

MARRIED “65 YEARS” – AND THEY SAID IT WOULDN’T LAST

MY ONE CLAIM TO FAME……

I HIRED SCOTT BIELER WHEN HE WAS 21 YEARS OF AGE

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.

Fun facts about me:

Ambition: To become a good storyteller.

Personal: Married to Tiffany, and we have four beautiful children together. They are my ‘why’.

Life before West Herr: Previously worked in sales and marketing roles at Nissan North America in Los Angeles, then left to start an online clothing company selling t-shirts out of the trunk of my car.

Education: University of Colorado at Boulder – Leeds School of Business – BSBA with emphasis in Marketing and certificate in Entrepreneurship

Career at West Herr: Started in 2009 – Sales Professional, Finance Manager, Sales Manager, Used Car Manager, Marketing Manager, Marketing Director

Connect with me:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Fun Facts about Me:

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