FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — AutoNation Inc. announced that CFO Cheryl Miller has been appointed president and CEO, replacing Carl Liebert, who joined the company in February. Miller, a 10-year AutoNation veteran, will also join the company’s board of directors. She becomes the first female CEO of a publicly traded automotive retailer.

“Cheryl has extensive knowledge of automotive retail, having been with AutoNation since 2009, and served as CFO since 2014,” said Mike Jackson, the group’s former CEO and current executive chairman. “In addition, her broader career, including at JM Family Enterprises and Alamo/National Car Rental brands, will bring outside, industry-leading, automotive experience to the role, as AutoNation continues to build its core business and brand extension strategy.” 

Miller has led several key strategic initiatives, including the building and cultivating of AutoNation’s partnership with Waymo. Under her leadership, AutoNation has achieved a number of significant milestones, including the reorganization of the company’s operational and financial footprint, which consolidated the region structure and implemented a cost savings plan, according to the announcement.

“AutoNation is the industry leader, and we remain focused on our core business while looking to the future with our brand extension strategy and strategic alliances. I am proud to continue our great work and to support my 26,000 colleagues, who provide a peerless customer experience every day.”

Executives said Liebert and AutoNation’s board “mutually agreed” to part ways.

“On behalf of AutoNation, I would like to thank Carl for his service, including the passion and enthusiasm he brought to the company,” Jackson said. “We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”