Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI), a Fortune 500 automotive
retailer, today announced that Randy L. Callison, Group 1’s
senior vice president of operations and corporate development, has
decided to retire effective Dec. 31, 2008.
Callison, 55, has served in his current role overseeing Group 1’s
acquisition activities, fixed operations, and finance and insurance
business, since June 2006. He began his career with Group 1 in February
1997, before Group 1 became a public company, in corporate development.
Callison had increasing responsibilities over the years, acquiring
oversight of Group 1’s fixed and finance and
insurance operations in January 2006.
"After 23 years in the automotive industry,
including 11 years of helping to create and operate one of the largest
automotive retailers, I am looking forward to spending some time with my
wife and two teen-age daughters,” said
Callison.
"Randy Callison has been instrumental in
building Group 1 to what it is today,” said
Earl J. Hesterberg, Group 1’s president and
chief executive officer. "His extensive
automotive industry experience and business acumen have been invaluable
to Group 1. He has been involved in virtually every acquisition and
disposition in the history of our company. We are sorry to see him go,
but wish him and his family well.”
Group 1 noted that Wade D. Hubbard, vice president of fixed operations;
M. Lee Mitchell, vice president of financial services; and, J. Steve
Waller, vice president of corporate development will now report directly
to Hesterberg.
About Group 1 Automotive Inc.
Group 1 owns and operates 100 automotive dealerships, 134 franchises,
and 26 collision service centers in the United States and the United
Kingdom that offer 31 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships,
the company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related
financing, vehicle service and insurance contracts; provides maintenance
and repair services; and sells replacement parts.
Group 1 Automotive can be reached on the Internet at www.group1auto.com.