Today, AutoNation announced the promotion of their Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Jim Bender, to the position of President. The promotion is effective immediately. Jim Bender will serve as both the President and Chief Operating Officer for AutoNation, the country’s largest dealer group.
Bender has been part of the AutoNation organization for more than 20 years and has held prominent positions regionally. From April 2004 to January 2015, he served as AutoNation’s president of the Florida region, then went onto serve as region president for the larger Eastern Region until December 2018. Bender has been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since July 2019.
In the press release from AutoNation, the CEO and chairman Mike Jackson said, “We are pleased to announce the promotion of Jim Bender. Jim is an outstanding leader, with a wealth of knowledge and proven track record of success. Jim continues to drive the day-to-day execution at our 325 plus locations from coast-to-coast. Jim ensures that our Associates our delivering a peerless experience for our Customers, one at a time.”
A more permanent assignment to the position of president for AutoNation during the uncertainty of the coronavirus is likely to help foster positive sentiment for the dealer group. Since the beginning of April, more than 7,000 of their roughly 25,000 employees have been furloughed. Sales have been cut in half during the last two weeks of March.
A Quick Transition
This announcement comes just nine days after Cheryl Miller was granted a leave of absence for medical reasons from AutoNation as the CEO and President of the auto group, according to a required SEC filing from the group’s board of directors. Details of her medical leave were not provided, and Miller’s LinkedIn profile still shows the title of CEO and President of AutoNation as her present role.
On the AutoNation investors website, Miller is now listed with the position of Director. So far, there have been no details updating her health or an expected return to work.
On April 13th, Mike Jackson took over as President and CEO for Cheryl Miller, along his title of Chairman. With the position of president reassigned to Jim Bender, Mike Jackson retains the titles of Chairman and CEO.
Cover Image Credit: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article153692519.html
