At BizFleets, leadership is about more than just strategy—it’s about vision, adaptability, and a willingness to take risks. Few people embody that mindset better than Danny Hill, our Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Vice President of Partnerships. From his early days in the automotive industry to scaling startups, Danny’s career is defined by bold decisions, a passion for growth, and a knack for building strong partnerships.
From Corporate to Startups: A Career of Calculated Risks
Before joining BizFleets, Danny’s career path took him through corporate roles at Volkswagen Audi, TRAM Inc., and Lear Corporation, where he built a strong foundation in the automotive sector. But in 2018, he took a major leap, leaving corporate stability to join a small, six-person startup that would later become BonusDrive. That gamble paid off, as the company grew into a $100 million acquisition by Gallagher.
“When I first met Tim (BizFleets CEO), his advice was always to take risks while you’re young,” Danny recalls. “The thought is that you can always go back to a corporate setting when you’re older if needed... but unique opportunities with startups are rare and can advance your career tremendously if you’re willing to take the leap.”
After BonusDrive’s successful exit, Danny became CEO of Glyphx, a venture-backed tech startup out of the University of Notre Dame IDEA Center. However, even as he led other ventures, he remained deeply involved with BizFleets’ development from its inception, eventually transitioning into a full-time role as CMO in Fall 2024.
A Vision for Growth at BizFleets
Now at the helm of marketing and partnerships, Danny plays a crucial role in shaping BizFleets’ brand and expanding its market reach. His main focus has been launching and growing the company’s insurance broker channel, an initiative he had envisioned for years alongside CEO Tim.
“My proudest accomplishment is launching our insurance broker channel,” he says. “It was an idea that Tim & I talked about for years, and when I came on as CMO, I wanted to make it the lifeblood of our company.” That vision has paid off, as BizFleets now has partnerships across the country, with brokers driving a significant portion of the company’s sales.
But for Danny, the real thrill isn’t just in the deals—it’s in the creative and strategic freedom that comes with the role. “Seeing ideas you have come to fruition and drive growth is always fulfilling,” he shares. “I've enjoyed seeing BizFleets grow from a concept on a napkin to a real organization.”
No Such Thing as a ‘Typical’ Day
One of the things Danny enjoys most about his work is the variety. “There’s never a ‘typical’ day in a company like BizFleets... and that’s a good thing,” he says. Whether it’s filming a video on the company’s impact in Michigan, meeting with brokers and clients across the country, or brainstorming new growth strategies, every day brings a new challenge.
His advice for new hires? Embrace the fast pace. “You have to learn to be nimble. Sometimes if people haven’t worked in a fast-paced, early-stage company, it can be a challenge to adjust to the structure,” he explains. “My advice, especially to younger hires, is always to embrace the opportunity to get to work on many different projects and see all sides of how a business is run.”
Culture, Connections, and Team Bonding
For Danny, BizFleets isn’t just a company—it’s a tight-knit group of colleagues, many of whom he’s worked with for over a decade. “I love how nearly everyone is connected in some way,” he says. “It’s become a cliché for companies to claim they are like a ‘family,’ but at BizFleets, that feels real.”
This team-oriented culture extends beyond the office. One of his favorite experiences was the off-site meeting to kickoff 2025. “This January, we held our in-person team meeting in Orlando. Everyone got to bring their spouse, friend, and/or kids on the trip. While we spent a full 10-hour day going over our goals for 2025... we also spent a day at Disney with the full team and our guests.” The mix of serious strategy sessions and team bonding made it a memorable experience for everyone involved.
Beyond BizFleets: Family, Football, and Food Trucks
When he’s not working, Danny’s time is focused on his two young daughters—a two-year-old and a five-month-old. “I try to spend as much of my free time as possible with them, riding bikes, taking walks, or going to the park,” he says.
Outside of family life, he’s an avid sports fan who makes time for Notre Dame and Detroit Lions football games in the fall and winter. And when it comes to food, he’s got a local favorite: “I go to ‘Detroit 75 Kitchen’ about once a week. It’s a food truck in a pretty rough area... but it recently won #3 Food Truck in the US by U.S. Weekly. Their unique sandwiches are the best around. I recommend the cheesesteak!”
Q&A with Danny
Q: What’s the best book or movie you’ve enjoyed recently?
"My wife, Erika, and I went to see ‘A Complete Unknown’ a few weeks ago. It was a great story about the life of Bob Dylan. The music and acting were awesome."
Q: What’s something unique about you that people might not know?
"When I was in graduate school at Notre Dame, I won a venture capital contest that landed me a job as CEO of one of their portfolio companies. It was a really cool experience that helped me learn a ton about how to run my own business."
Q: What’s your favorite part about working in the Newlab community in Detroit? "
It’s fast-paced. Being a part of the Newlab community at Michigan Central in Detroit creates a buzz that makes everyone want to work harder and create something new."
Looking Ahead
As BizFleets continues to scale and evolve, Danny remains focused on new partnerships, growth strategies, and expanding the company’s national footprint. With his entrepreneurial mindset and passion for innovation, there’s no doubt he will continue to shape BizFleets’ future.