AutoCanada Inc. has promoted a pair of executives that joined the company last year from U.S. dealership group AutoNation to top leadership roles.
The Edmonton-based company announced Sept. 25 that Jeff Thorpe will expand his portfolio to president of the group’s North American operations, while Brian Feldman has been appointed AutoCanada’s chief operating officer.
Both Thorpe and Feldman joined the dealership group that owns 83 franchised stores in Canada and the United States in April 2022.
AutoCanada Chairman Paul Antony said the two executives have “been instrumental” in driving the company’s “strong performance through their focus on operational initiatives in Canada” over the past year.
Thorpe, who was previously president of the company’s Canadian operations, will add oversight of AutoCanada’s 13 U.S. dealerships to his portfolio. Feldman, who joined the company as senior vice-president of Canadian operations and disruptive technologies will serve in the new post of COO.
AutoCanada has also appointed Drew Forret as the company’s chief administrative and transformation officer, as well as Michael Fera as vice-president of financial planning and analysis. Forret was previously COO and CFO at vehicle history report firm CarProof, while Fera was most recently head of finance for Tim Hortons’ Canadian business.
Forret and Fera will take up their posts in the fourth quarter of 2023.
