Chesrown History

How It Started: Norman Chesrown and the Rocketman Era

Norman Chesrown was a Buick salesman with a reputation for treating people right. In the early 1960s, he was given the opportunity to purchase an Oldsmobile dealership in Delaware, Ohio. He took it. Chesrown Oldsmobile officially opened its doors in 1963.

From 1963 through the 1980s, Chesrown Oldsmobile became one of the top 10 Oldsmobile dealers in the country and held that ranking for 15 years. Norman, known around town as "Rocketman" after the Oldsmobile rocket symbol, built the business on a simple idea: customers are neighbors, not transactions. His employees became family. His reputation became the dealership's foundation.

The Gill Family Takes the Wheel

Norman's three stepsons -- Jim Gill, Dave Gill, and Tom Gill -- all grew up around the dealership. The car business was in their blood. Over time, Dave left to open Dave Gill Chevrolet, and Tom left to open Tom Gill Chevrolet. Jim stayed at Chesrown alongside Norman.

In May of 2000, Jim Gill signed the papers to take over the dealership from Norman. Shortly after, GM announced it was discontinuing Oldsmobile. Jim needed a new brand to keep the business alive. After making calls around town, he secured a deal to bring on Buick, Pontiac, and GMC. A few years later, he added Chevrolet and Cadillac.

Surviving the 2009 GM Bankruptcy

In 2009, GM declared bankruptcy -- the largest industrial bankruptcy in American history. Dealers across the country closed their doors. Pontiac was eliminated. For family-owned operations like Chesrown, survival was not guaranteed.

Jim and his son Ryan Gill, who had officially joined the team in 2003 after spending summers working alongside his dad, pushed through it together. Customer loyalty, a strong team, and disciplined management kept Chesrown standing when many others did not.

Three Generations and Growing

Today, Chesrown Chevrolet is led by the third generation of family ownership. Jim Gill serves as President. His sons Ryan and Joey Gill lead day-to-day operations across the business.

In 2024, Chesrown Automotive expanded beyond Delaware for the first time, acquiring three Germain Motor Company dealerships in Sidney, Ohio. Ryan and Joey oversee the Sidney locations, which include Chevrolet-GMC, Ford, and Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram rooftops spanning nearly 20 acres.

The growth is new. The approach has not changed since Norman opened the doors in 1963: deal with the owner, take care of the customer, and earn their business every time.

Visit Chesrown Chevrolet in Delaware, Ohio

Our dealership is located at 1701 Columbus Pike in Delaware, Ohio. We serve drivers from across Central Ohio, including Lewis Center, Powell, Dublin, Westerville, Sunbury, Columbus, Marion, and Marysville.

Whether you are here for your first vehicle or your family has been buying from us for decades, you will always deal with the owners. Stop by, give us a call at (740) 363-1175, or contact us online.