B
ill Nero Automotive Group has taken over the former Galeana Kia and Galeana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealerships in south Fort Myers, ending the Galeana family’s 44‑year presence in Southwest Florida. Nero paid $33.74 million for the property, as recorded on September 22 under 14483 Tamiami TR FMFL LLC, and the total purchase, including the private business deal, was roughly $145 million.
The new outlets will operate as Kia of Fort Myers and Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Fort Myers. Nero said the straightforward names were chosen to improve online search visibility. Managing the two locations will be New Jersey native Jacob McNeely, who will head the CDJR dealership, and Dominican Republic native Eric Matos, who will oversee Kia. Both previously worked at Nero’s Hyundai store in Orlando.
Nero’s company already owns three Orlando‑area dealerships—Universal Nissan, Universal Hyundai, and Universal Genesis—and has just begun operating the Fort Myers sites. He plans to keep much of the existing staff while adding fresh energy and ideas. Renovations will include installing air conditioning in the service bays to improve employee retention and overall quality of life.
The sale was brokered by Haig Partners, whose president Alan Haig described it as a straightforward transaction driven by strong demand for Fort Myers dealerships. “Fort Myers is a prized market that can deliver both high volume and high profit,” Haig said, noting the city’s continued growth prospects.
Bill Nero, 62, grew up near Orlando and began his automotive career in the 1980s with a part‑time sales job at Jimmy Bryan Toyota. He later became a partner at Action Nissan in 1989, opened a Hyundai store in 1996, and has steadily expanded his business. Nero’s son, Austin, 27, a Brown University business graduate, will also be involved in running the new operations.
Nero emphasized that he will remain a hands‑on owner but will rely on managing partners to help run day‑to‑day operations. He plans to remodel the Kia dealership in 2026, keeping it open during construction, and will tweak the interior layout to his liking.
The rebranded dealerships will be overseen by the Bill Nero Automotive Group leadership team—Eric Matos, Bill Nero, and Jacob McNeely—who will guide the transition and future growth in Southwest Florida.
