Several changes to the executive management team and Board of Directors at AutoCanada have been announced, including the appointment of President Michael Rawluk to the Board of Directors and Steven Landry has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer. The announcement follows a strategic review to explore alternatives to enhance shareholder value, the company said in a recent release.
Named president last July, Rawluk’s go-forward plan has a goal of enabling the company to achieve operating margins comparable to the best of public auto dealers in the U.S. He was previously Chief Operating Officer of the Birchwood Automotive Group’s 22 dealerships in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Other changes to management and board composition include:
Steven Landry has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and has been appointed as advisor to AutoCanada, focused on OEM relationships and dealership acquisitions.
William Berman, previously President and Chief Operating Officer of AutoNation, has been appointed President, U.S.
Stephen Green and Elias Olmeta have been appointed to the Board of Directors. Green previously served as Executive Vice President, Legal and Corporate Secretary at IHS. Olmeta is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Mitchell International.
Christopher Burrows has resigned as Chief Financial Officer, as of August 10, and will remain as an advisor for three months to effect an orderly transition. The company has begun a search for a new CFO.
Paul Antony, Chairman of the Board, will assume the role of Executive Chairman.
“I would like to thank Steven and Chris for their dedicated service to AutoCanada,” said Antony. “They have been instrumental in helping AutoCanada evolve from a founder-owned and operated company largely concentrated in Western Canada into a national auto retailer.”
According to Rawlik, the right team is in place “to enhance value for shareholders, by delivering long-term profitable growth centred on operational excellence, while selectively acquiring high quality dealerships that fit our criteria.”
AutoCanada currently operates 68 franchised dealerships, comprised of 27 brands in eight provinces in Canada, as well as a group in Illinois.
