HOUSTON — Group 1 Automotive Inc., a Fortune 500 automotive retailer, announced the promotion of M. Lee Mitchell to vice president of financial services effective immediately. He will continue to report to Randy L. Callison, senior vice president of operations and corporate development.

Mitchell has served as director of financial services for Group 1 since February 2006. His responsibilities include oversight of Group 1’s finance and insurance business including: compliance; customer satisfaction; process standardization; selection and leveraging of product offerings; lender relations; and training. Mitchell has held various management roles of increasing responsibility in the automotive industry. Prior to joining Group 1, he served as a vice president of dealer services of EFG Companies.

“Lee Mitchell has been instrumental in developing Group 1’s finance and insurance business over the last two years,” said Earl J. Hesterberg, Group 1's president and chief executive officer. “Lee’s experience and performance record are indicative of the talented management team we have working both at Group 1’s corporate office and in the field.”