Our Team

Lincoln Phillip
Owner

Lincoln Phillip brings energy, charisma, and a genuine passion for people to BMW Detroit. Known for his warm personality and welcoming nature, Lincoln has a way of making everyone feel immediately at ease from the moment they walk through the door. With a law degree and extensive leadership experience as the General Manager of Rochester Hills Chrysler Jeep, he combines professionalism, business expertise, and a true enthusiast’s mindset in everything he does. A passionate rider, Lincoln pilots a 2020 BMW R1250GSA and embraces adventure both on and off the bike. When he’s away from the dealership, you’ll likely find him hunting, flying, scuba diving, or unwinding on the lake in Charlevoix. His drive, vision, and commitment to excellence are at the heart of his mission to make BMW Detroit the premier BMW motorcycle dealership in the country.

JB Bussert
General Manager
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JB joined the BMW Detroit family in March of 2025 and immediately felt right at home. With decades of experience leading successful dealerships, he brings a steady hand, deep industry knowledge, and a people-first approach that perfectly reflects the culture at BMW Detroit. His calm, approachable personality and genuine passion for motorcycles make him a natural leader for the talented team he works alongside every day. If you looked up “family man” in the dictionary, chances are you’d find JB smiling back at you. Outside the dealership, he and his wife stay busy raising Golden Retriever puppies and cheering on their daughters at softball games. A skilled rider with a quick wit and laid-back sense of humor, JB has a way of making everyone feel welcome the moment they meet him. Customers and coworkers alike quickly discover the same thing: everyone loves JB.

Jennifer Ott
Sales Manager
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Jennifer brings a bundle of energy to her role as Sales Manager, and her passion for BMW Motorcycles is instantly contagious. A familiar face in the BMW MOA community, she serves as a BMW MOA Director, BMW MOA Ambassador, BMW MOA Regional Coordinator, and President of the BMW Motorcycle Touring Club of Detroit. She has hosted the Women Rider Seminar at the last 5 BMW MOA National Rallies, and you can find her every December bringing her 6 foot Christmas Tree home on her R1300GSA. With more than 44 years of riding experience, Jennifer rides a 2025 BMW R1300GSA and a 2026 R12 G/S, and racks up over 35,000 miles every year. If you’re looking to buy a bike from someone who truly lives the lifestyle, has impeccable customer service, and knows BMW motorcycles inside and out, Jennifer has your back.

Tad Tgernagel
Service Manager and Master Mechanic
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Tad is our Service Manager and a BMW Master Mechanic Level 3 technician who joined us three years ago from a BMW Motorrad dealership in California. He and his wife returned home to Michigan to raise their two young children, and he has quickly become a valued part of our team. Not only is Tad an exceptionally skilled BMW technician, but he also brings serious talent to the racetrack aboard his BMW S1000RR and F900R. A passionate rider through and through, he regularly finds himself on the podium competing on his F900R. Outside the shop and the track, Tad enjoys the creative side of life as well, with hobbies that include glass blowing and miniature model painting. His combination of technical expertise, racing passion, and approachable personality makes him a fantastic addition to the BMW Motorcycles of Detroit family.

Ozzie Ortiz
BMW Master Mechanic Level 3 and Authority Bike Expert
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Ozzie Ortiz is a Level III Master BMW Motorcycle Technician with a career built on military service, technical expertise, and nearly two decades of hands-on experience. After serving 18 years in the U.S. Army and completing three deployments, Ozzie retired with a deep mechanical background and a disciplined approach to problem-solving and precision. After transitioning from the Army, he began his motorcycle career wrenching on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, sharpening his skills and gaining extensive experience before moving into the BMW world. Today, Ozzie is a Level III BMW Master Technician with extensive experience diagnosing, servicing, and maintaining BMW motorcycles. He also brings specialized expertise working with police motorcycles, understanding the unique demands placed on law enforcement fleets and mission-critical machines that require reliability under all conditions. With years of riding experience and a reputation for knowledge, precision, and dedication, Ozzie combines military discipline with real-world motorcycle expertise. Whether performing routine maintenance, complex diagnostics, or major repairs, his focus remains the same: keeping riders safe and their motorcycles performing at the highest level. Ozzie fit right into our little BMW Detroit family!

Gerhardt Vikar
Service Technician
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Gary brings more than 30 years of hands-on wrenching experience to the team and a true passion for the BMW Motorrad brand. A dedicated rider himself, he enjoys time in the saddle on his 1996 BMW R1100RSL and 2014 BMW R1200RT. After building his career with another European motorcycle manufacturer, Gary made the move to pursue what has always been closest to his heart: BMW Motorcycles. As a Level 1 BMW Technician, Gary combines decades of mechanical expertise with a meticulous attention to detail and a genuine enthusiasm for helping riders keep their machines performing at their very best. Outside of the shop, Gerhardt enjoys military re-enactments, computers, working with 3D printers, and building detailed models, hobbies that perfectly reflect his precision, creativity, and love of engineering.

Gary Latessa
Sales Associate
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Gary Latessa brings more than 35 years of riding experience and over two decades of motorcycle sales expertise to BMW Motorcycles of Detroit. After spending the last 10 years with Spartan Indian, Gary is thrilled to return “home” to the BMW family and reconnect with the brand and riding community he has always been passionate about. Known for his easygoing personality, sharp sense of humor, and genuine approachability, Gary has a natural ability to make customers feel comfortable from the moment they meet him. Whether working with first-time riders or lifelong enthusiasts, he takes pride in creating a relaxed, enjoyable buying experience built on trust, honesty, and a true passion for motorcycles. A dedicated rider himself, Gary pilots a 2017 BMW R1200RT and understands firsthand the joy, freedom, and connection that come with life on two wheels.

Ian Smith
Accounting Manager
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Ian joined our team after building a strong foundation in motorcycle parts and accessories while working at the local Cycle Gear. He rides a Triumph Street Triple. With his friendly personality, sharp knowledge, and outgoing attitude, he has quickly become a fantastic addition to our dealership family. Passionate about motorcycles and rider safety, Ian takes pride in helping customers find the right gear, parts, and accessories to enhance every ride. Known for his approachable nature and attention to detail, Ian is always ready to go the extra mile to make sure riders leave confident and well-equipped for the road ahead. Whether you are looking for riding apparel, luggage, communication systems, or performance accessories, Ian is eager to help match every customer with the products that best fit their riding style and needs. Outside of work, Ian enjoys spending time outdoors hiking with his dogs and girlfriend, illustrating comic books and watching science fiction. We are excited to have Ian on our team and know our customers will appreciate both his knowledge and his commitment to exceptional service.

Don Lusk
Part-Time Master BMW Master Tech Level 3
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When meeting Don for the first time, you are greeted by a quiet, humble, and unassuming personality,but as the saying goes, still waters run deep. Beneath that calm demeanor is a lifetime of adventure, experience, and mechanical expertise that has earned Don an almost legendary reputation among riders who know him. An avid off-road and trials rider, Don has explored some of the most remote corners of the planet, not only aboard his BMW GS motorcycles, but also behind the wheel of his vintage Land Rover and specialized Toyota overland camping truck. His passion for exploration, self-reliance, and engineering has taken him far beyond the beaten path and shaped the depth of knowledge he brings to every motorcycle he touches. Customers who work with Don often say the very same thing: “Don is the ONLY person I would ever let work on my bike.” That kind of trust is earned through decades of consistency, precision, and dedication to doing things the right way. With more than 50 years of wrenching on BMW motorcycles, Don possesses a level of experience and intuition that few technicians anywhere can match.

Maureen Weiland
Accounting Manager

Maureen is our accounts manager and ensures that all of our paperwork is perfect. The first thing you notice about Maureen is her kind, warm, and friendly personality, she has a natural way of making both customers and coworkers feel immediately comfortable and valued. With extensive experience in accounting, bookkeeping, and sales, Maureen stepped into her role seamlessly and quickly became an important part of our daily operations. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and positive attitude make her an incredible asset to both our staff and our customers. Outside of work, Maureen enjoys gardening, traveling with her husband, and making the most out of life’s simple pleasures. She also likes Piña Coladas, getting caught in the rain… but she’s not much into yoga. Her sense of humor and easygoing spirit fit perfectly with our team, and we are thrilled to have her here.

Chris Halty
Porter and Transport
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Chris is an essential part of our team, serving as both our porter and transportation driver with a calm, steady presence that customers and staff alike truly appreciate. Known for his easygoing demeanor and dependable work ethic, Chris helps keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes while always being ready to lend a hand wherever needed. A certified automotive mechanic with a genuine passion for motorcycles, Chris enjoys spending his free time wrenching on bikes and keeping classic machines alive and on the road. He proudly rides a vintage 1982 Honda CB900 Custom, a perfect reflection of his appreciation for timeless engineering and old-school style. Outside of the dealership, Chris is an avid bowler and rollerskater who enjoys staying active and involved in the community. Perhaps most impressive of all is his dedication to volunteering more than 50 hours each week with his church, reflecting the generosity, humility, and servant-hearted attitude he brings into every aspect of his life. We are proud to have Chris as part of our team and grateful for the positivity and dependability he brings every day.

Mats Ceder
Part-Time Sales Associate

Mats is a highly skilled off-road rider whose experience and passion for adventure riding are immediately apparent, and his profile picture says it all. A former RawHyde Adventures Ambassador, Mats brings a wealth of real-world riding experience, technical skill, and confidence to every trail and backroad he explores. Originally from Sweden, Mats carries himself with a calm, composed demeanor that makes him both approachable and reassuring to ride with. But behind that quiet personality is an impressive list of accomplishments. In addition to serving as an Oakland County Marine and Aviation Sheriff’s Deputy, Mats is also a certified commercial pilot and technical scuba diver, a true adventurer with a passion for precision, discipline, and exploration both on land and beyond. Whether navigating rugged off-road terrain, piloting aircraft, or diving beneath the surface, Mats approaches every challenge with skill and professionalism. Riders can look forward to future off-road adventures and group rides led by Mats through the BMW Touring Club of Detroit, where his experience and leadership will make every ride both memorable and inspiring.