AutoNation announced recently in a press release that Mike Jackson, Chairman and CEO, will succeed Mike Maroone as president, effective Feb.4, 2015. Jackson will also be a keynote speaker at the CADA Summit in Toronto on Feb. 11.
After spending 15 years as AutoNation’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Maroone, who plans to retire at the beginning of April, will continue serving as president until Feb. 3, 2015, said the company. At that point he will work in a transitional role with the company until he retires.
“Mike Maroone and I have had a fifteen year partnership that has brought AutoNation tremendous success building America’s premier Automotive Retailer. I am thankful for his leadership and partnership over the years, and wish him all the best after his retirement from AutoNation,” said Jackson, who has also signed a five year employment contract extension until 2019.
The company also announced that Bill Berman, long-time AutoNation executive, has been promoted to Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, effective Feb. 4, 2015.
Berman is currently Senior Vice-President of Sales at AutoNation. Previously, he served in a variety of positions at AutoNation including, President of the Western Region since 2008, President of the Northern California Market, and as a General Manager.
“Bill’s vast retail experience and having served in many AutoNation capacities since 1999 makes him extremely well-suited to continue the operational excellence and peerless customer experience that AutoNation delivers,” said Jackson.
“He will join a strong leadership team that is well positioned to drive AutoNation’s success well into the future.”
