Kevin Westfall, 55, whose efforts to streamline F&I operations at the nation's largest auto retailer this year included testing e-contracting and a central subprime department, left the company Friday after 14 years.
AutoNation has named David Koehler as senior vice president of variable operations effective Monday, Nov. 14.
In his new role Koehler, 43, will oversee AutoNation's new- and used-vehicle sales, finance and insurance, and variable operations training. He joined the company in April from Sonic Automotive, where he was a regional vice president.
AutoNation spokesman Marc Cannon said Koehler is not a one-for-one successor to Westfall, because Westfall's former responsibilities are being restructured.
Westfall's F&I duties at AutoNation included monitoring individual store performance, the arrangement of consumer financing through third parties, and the sale of such products as GAP and extended warranties. Earlier this year he shepherded a number of pilot projects exploring new directions for AutoNation's F&I operations, including electronic contracting and a centralized subprime department.
From 1997 through 2001, Westfall was president of AutoNation Financial Services, the company's old captive finance arm, which sold its loan and lease portfolio in 2003. He also was a former president of BMW Financial Services of North America and helped launch BMW's captive finance company.
AutoNation, the country's largest dealership group, said Westfall's separation included a noncompete agreement. The company said Westfall will receive his current base salary of $482,040 until May 2012 plus a pro-rated performance bonus for 11 months of 2011.
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