AutoNation, America’s largest automotive retailer, appoints Cheryl Miller, AutoNation’s Chief Financial Officer, as Chief Executive Officer and President, replacing Carl Liebert. Ms. Miller was also named to AutoNation’s Board of Directors. Cheryl Miller is the first female CEO of a publicly traded automotive retailer.
Mike Jackson, AutoNation’s Executive Chairman states, “Cheryl has extensive knowledge of automotive retail, having been with AutoNation since 2009, and served as CFO since 2014. 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.”
Cheryl Miller has extensive experience in consumer-focused industries, including twenty years of automotive retail, rental, and captive finance experience. Ms. Miller’s expertise encompasses corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and strategic alliances. Ms. Miller also serves as a director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Tyson Foods, Inc., one of the world’s largest food companies and a member of the S&P 500.
Cheryl 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. The restructuring has allowed AutoNation to create a more streamlined and efficient core business to better meet the needs of its customers. In addition, under her guidance, AutoNation is the only automotive retailer to earn investment-grade status.
Cheryl Miller stated, “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.”
Cheryl Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and business administration from James Madison University. Ms. Miller has received numerous honors, including being listed as a Director to Watch in the 2018 Directors and Boards Journal, one of the nation’s top CFO’s by Business Insider Magazine, and one of the 100 Leading Women in the North American Automotive Industry by Automotive News.
