Meet the Staff of Oswego Motors, Oswego, IL, 630-705-2900

Jim Gollinger - Boss

Jared Piza - Used Car Manager

Jared Piza joined Oswego Motors over Memorial Day weekend in 2020, thanks to a little encouragement from his dad, who was already part of the dealership. He still remembers his first Monday—and seeing Tom pull in driving a 2001 Chevrolet S-10. At the time, Jared never pictured himself selling cars. Several years later, the automotive business has become a major part of his life.

As Used Car Manager, Jared is heavily involved in deciding which vehicles ultimately make it onto the Oswego Motors lot. His days include inspecting vehicles, driving them, figuring out what they may need, reviewing their condition and history, and making the final call on whether they are worth purchasing.

His standard for buying a vehicle is surprisingly simple: “Would I drive it, and would I put my mother in it?”

Jared especially likes finding unique, low-mileage, non-smoker vehicles with an interesting history or story behind them. One of the biggest challenges in the used-car business, he says, is making sure the vehicle you are buying is truly what you think it is. Before a vehicle makes the cut, he wants to know that it is going to “stand tall” once it arrives at the dealership. He has a particular appreciation for GM and Chevrolet products.

While buying cars is a major part of his role, Jared says his favorite part of the business is getting to meet people from all over the world. His approach with customers is straightforward: he listens. He believes buying a vehicle should be easy, not intimidating, and encourages customers to ask as many questions as possible before making a decision.

For Jared, what separates Oswego Motors from the typical used-car dealership comes down to family values. He is especially proud of the relationship the dealership has developed with the surrounding community and the reception Oswego Motors has received since establishing itself in the area.

Jared grew up in Aurora and enjoys being able to work close to the community he knows. He also speaks Spanish, something that allows him to connect with and assist even more customers.

Outside of the dealership, Jared’s favorite thing is spending time with his kids and the rest of his family. He follows soccer—especially Chivas—and enjoys Mexican music. Around Oswego Motors, his coworkers would probably tell you he is known for always being willing to help someone out… and for really enjoying a good meal.

His favorite vehicle is a 1986 Chevrolet C10, while an Audi RS Q8 sits at the top of his dream-car list.

After spending the last several years buying, selling, and evaluating used vehicles, Jared’s advice to anyone shopping for one is simple:

Ask more questions.

Cruz Aldair Balderrama - Finance Manager

630-705-2900 - cruz@oswegomotors.com

Cruz joined the team in August 2018, the same week he turned 21, when the dealership was still known as 355 North Auto Inc. Nearly nine years later, he has grown into a little bit of everything at Oswego Motors. While his official role is Finance Manager, Cruz is also involved in sales, marketing, vehicle photography, online merchandising, and helping oversee the reconditioning process.

One of his favorite parts of the business is meeting new people and showing customers that buying a used vehicle doesn’t have to be stressful or high-pressure. He takes pride in giving each customer his undivided attention, understanding what they need, and making the entire process as simple and transparent as possible. Some of his favorite moments are when customers are genuinely surprised by how easy their experience was.

Vehicle photography has also remained one of Cruz’s favorite parts of the job. Taking pictures was one of his very first responsibilities when he started in the automotive business, and he still gets excited about photographing a new arrival, putting it online, and watching how quickly the right vehicle creates interest.

Originally from the Addison/Elmhurst area, Cruz has been working since he was 16 and brings a background in retail, sales, customer service, and studies in computer programming and engineering to the dealership. He is also fluent in Spanish and is known around the office for being easy to work with and having a strong attention to detail.

Outside of Oswego Motors, Cruz enjoys watching the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, and Real Madrid, along with movies, music, and spending time with his Fiancée relaxing with his dog, Sebastian Gomez. His favorite vehicle he has owned is a 2018 Chevrolet Camaro SS, although a Tesla Cybertruck is currently on his wish list. A fun fact about Cruz: he was named after his father, while his mother chose his middle name after a Brazilian soccer player.

Tom Gollinger - Human Resources Manager

-

Tom Gollinger’s history in the car business goes back to 1970, when at 22 years old he began selling Fords at Joe Madden Ford in Downers Grove. What started as a love for working with people eventually turned into a lifelong career in the automotive industry.

Tom went on to become a dealership owner himself, first owning a Ford dealership in Ohio beginning in 1979. His career later brought him back to the Chevrolet side of the business, eventually becoming the owner of Woodfield Chevrolet before selling the dealership in 2008.

Ask Tom what the car business was like back then and he’ll tell you it was “the Wild West.” Before the internet, online reviews, and shopping from a computer, Tom remembers a business that was much more personal: people bought cars from people. That philosophy has stayed with him throughout his career. His biggest lesson after decades in the business is simple—take care of people, learn how to make them happy, and treat customers like friends.

Cars weren’t actually the center of the Gollinger household growing up. Tom came from a family of eight in Michigan, where life was more about family, hunting, fishing, and playing games. Today, he is especially proud of watching his brother Jim grow Oswego Motors and of Jim’s ability to connect with people, find quality vehicles, and know what to buy at the right time.

Tom is officially listed as Oswego Motors’ “Human Resources Manager,” although the title is taken with a healthy sense of humor. You’ll usually find him helping wherever he’s needed during the summer—whether that means assisting with buying cars, moving vehicles and people around, making phone calls, or simply talking with customers and employees.

After more than five decades around dealerships, Tom believes the people working inside a dealership are ultimately what separate a good one from a bad one.

Outside of work, Tom enjoys spending time with his family and grandchildren, playing golf, and cooking—something his family and coworkers know him especially well for. He has been married for 55 years, and when asked why he still likes coming into Oswego Motors, his answer is pretty simple: “What am I gonna do, sit at home?”

His favorite car? A black 1965 Ford Mustang.

And his advice to anyone just getting started in the car business: work hard, never give up, believe in yourself, take care of people, and make them your friends.

Jessica Garcia - Social Media/Internet Manager

- Jessica@oswegomotors.com

Jessica Garcia joined Oswego Motors after discovering the dealership on LinkedIn while attending Illinois State University. Coming from outside the automotive industry, she was drawn to the opportunity because it was something different—and she liked the idea of working with a small business where she could be creative and make an impact.

As Oswego Motors’ Social Media & Internet Manager, Jessica handles much of what customers see and experience online. Her day can include checking social media, responding to customer questions, creating and planning content, and helping make sure people receive a friendly response before they ever walk through the dealership doors.

One of the biggest things Jessica has learned since joining the automotive business is just how many people are involved in getting one vehicle ready for its next owner. From the time Oswego Motors acquires a vehicle until the day it drives off the lot, she has gained a new appreciation for everything that happens behind the scenes.

Her favorite part of the job is the freedom to be creative. Whether she is coming up with a new video idea, showcasing a vehicle, or finding a different way to connect with customers, Jessica enjoys having the opportunity to experiment and see what people respond to. One of her favorite projects so far was a TikTok featuring a convertible “Transformer” style vehicle, largely because of the engagement and reaction it received.

During her first year, Jessica is especially proud of helping grow Oswego Motors’ reach and engagement across its social platforms. More importantly, she wants the dealership’s online presence to feel the same way the dealership does in person: friendly, genuine, and run by real people—not something that feels automated or impersonal.

Growing up in Aurora, Jessica enjoys spending her free time with friends and family, shopping, binge-watching shows, and hanging out with her dog, Canelo. Around the dealership, she is also known for two things: her love of Chick-fil-A and making sure the office is never too quiet.

Jessica continues to learn more about the automotive business every day and brings an approachable, energetic personality to the Oswego Motors team.

Eliut Piza - Service & Facility Manager

630-705-2900 -

Manuel Terron - Head of Security

-

Maddie - Barketing Manager

- bernedoodle@oswegomotors.com