FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb.
1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN),
America's largest automotive retailer, today announced that William
"Bill" Berman, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, has been named President and Chief Operating Officer,
effective February 1, 2017.
Mike Jackson will continue as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AutoNation.
Mr. Berman has 30 years of retail automotive experience,
including vast experience with used vehicle and parts and service
businesses. Mr. Berman has served as EVP and COO of the company
since 2015. Prior to becoming EVP and COO, Mr. Berman led the
company's successful west coast region with over 75 stores and over
$6 billion in revenue. During his
tenure as region president, Mr. Berman developed several key
processes for used vehicle sales and Customer Care that were
implemented from coast-to-coast in every AutoNation store. He is
also the engineer on all of AutoNation's brand extension strategy,
implementation and expansion. Mr. Berman is also a former
California New Car Dealer Association board member.
Mike Jackson, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer commented, "Bill is an outstanding and
exceptional leader, whose proven track record and ingenuity are
vital for the next phase in AutoNation's history. He will continue
to lead all operational functions, including the recently announced
AutoNation brand extension strategy."
The Company also announced that Marc
Cannon and Donna Parlapiano
have both been promoted to Executive Vice Presidents, effective
February 1, 2017. Mr. Cannon is
currently Senior Vice President, Communications, Public Policy and
Chief Marketing Officer. Ms. Parlapiano is currently Senior
Vice President, Franchise Operations and Corporate Real Estate.
Mr. Cannon has over 30 years of automotive retail experience and
is a graduate of the University of
Miami. He is responsible for the company's marketing,
advertising, communications and corporate affairs departments. He
has overseen several successful initiatives for AutoNation,
including the branding of all of its Domestic and Import stores
under the AutoNation name from coast-to-coast and the development
of AutoNation Express. Mr. Cannon was also responsible for the
redesign of the company's logo and for introducing ROAD RUNNER as
the company's wingman. Road Runner represents speed, expertise and
ingenuity -- all attributes that AutoNation embodies, and can
leverage to move the brand forward. Mr. Cannon was honored by
Automotive News with the All Stars Award for Public
Relations/ Communications, the only recipient from an automotive
retailer to be granted this honor.
Ms. Parlapiano has over 30 years of automotive experience and
holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the
University of Denver. Ms. Parlapiano is
responsible for managing the company's $3.3B real estate portfolio and strategic
planning of AutoNation's franchise network, consisting of 35 brands
and 260 stores across the US. Prior to joining AutoNation, Ms.
Parlapiano held several finance, operational and strategic
management positions with Ford Motor Company. Ms. Parlapiano has
been named one of the 100 Leading Women in the North American
Automotive Industry by Automotive News multiple times, and is an
ardent advocate for underprivileged children.
Mr. Jackson went on to say, "Marc and Donna, along with Bill,
are key to AutoNation's continued growth and the implementation of
our strategic brand extension initiatives. With this expanded
executive team, AutoNation is well positioned for a successful
future."
About AutoNation, Inc.
AutoNation, America's
largest automotive retailer, through its bold leadership,
innovation and its comprehensive brand extensions, is transforming
the automotive industry. As of December 31,
2016, AutoNation owned and operated 371 new vehicle
franchises from coast to coast. AutoNation has sold over 10 million
vehicles, the first automotive retailer to reach this milestone.
AutoNation's success is driven by a commitment to delivering a
peerless experience through customer-focused sales and service
processes. Through its Drive Pink initiative, AutoNation is
committed to drive out cancer, create awareness and support
critical research. AutoNation continues to be a proud supporter of
the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and other cancer-related
charities.
Please visit investors.autonation.com, www.autonation.com,
www.autonationdrive.com, www.twitter.com/autonation,
www.twitter.com/CEOMikeJackson, www.facebook.com/autonation, and
www.facebook.com/CEOMikeJackson, where AutoNation discloses
additional information about the Company, its business, and its
results of operations.
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SOURCE AutoNation, Inc.