Tribute to the Alpha Dawg: Jim Ziegler

[Alex Snyder]

From the moment I met Jim, I immediately loved that guy! He was so funny and absolutely stood out from the crowd. He is one of my favorite characters in this industry. This was the first RefreshFriday we hosted with him and that was a riot



@Jeff Kershner - do you want to tell the story of our first encounter with Jim at Digital Dealer two decades ago?

For those who don't know, Jim isn't expected to make it much longer. Stan Sher has been keeping me up to date on what's happening.

Here's Stan's latest post on the topic: Stan Sher on LinkedIn: #alphadawg #jimziegler #automotivelegend #prayersforjim…

 

[Alex Snyder]

With profound sadness, we share the passing of James A. Ziegler—Jim, the Alpha Dawg, a pioneer, mentor, and leader in the automotive industry. Jim passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his beloved Debbie and family.
For decades, Jim’s voice shaped the way dealerships operated, how sales teams performed, and how professionals across the industry approached success. He didn’t just teach—he transformed. He didn’t just speak—he inspired. His passion, his fire, and his unwavering belief in people set him apart as one of the most influential figures in automotive.
Jim built a legacy that will never fade. His presence, his knowledge, and his impact stretched across generations. If you ever had the opportunity to hear him speak, work with him, or learn from him, you knew you were experiencing something rare—something unforgettable.
We invite all who knew and respected Jim to join us in honoring his life and the impact he made:

Visitation: Thursday, March 6, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Funeral Service: Friday, March 7, 2:00 PM

Location: Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Pkwy, Flowery Branch, GA 30542
For those traveling, Hampton Inn Braselton on Golf Club Drive is a good option for accommodations.
Jim always believed in things that endured. In his honor, Ms. Debbie is creating a garden in their backyard to celebrate his life and legacy. Flowers are welcome, but for those who wish to contribute to this lasting tribute, outdoor potted flowering plants are also a meaningful option. A personal favorite florist of the family is Lovin Florist in Braselton, Georgia.
Jim may no longer be with us, but his influence, his lessons, and his impact will never leave us. His voice may be quiet now, but his words will be carried forward by the countless people whose lives he touched.
Please keep Debbie and the Ziegler family in your thoughts. And as we come together to honor Jim, let’s remember—he built something that will last far beyond his time.

Those of us who knew Jim are sad to hear this news. We knew it was coming, but it is still a tough one to hear. RIP Jim - you taught us a ton!

Here is the Facebook Post if you wish to leave a comment for his family: Jim Ziegler- Car Guy

 

[BillVaughnAlWestNissan]

I wasn't familiar. I'll make it a point to watch this today.

 

[Tallcool1]

Jim touched so many lives in the Retail Automotive Industry.

The first time I met Jim was at an NADA Convention. I was a young CFO for a dealer group but had come up through the Sales Side of the business. I would always try to sneak into a couple of Sales related Education Sessions because the ones geared toward me were usually so damn boring that it could be hard to stay awake. I got into the room early and sat toward the front of the room. Jim approached me, introduced himself, and asked what I was expecting from the upcoming session. I explained my situation and he laughed his ass off that I had snuck into his session to escape the boredom for an hour! Anyway, he sat with me and visited for nearly an hour.

Jim was legendary in the Industry, but he was also a really good guy.

He is going to be missed by many.