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.