---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000350698-22-000018"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AN"
cik: "0000350698"
company_name: "AUTONATION, INC."
filed_at: "2022-01-26T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-27T15:34:53.753925+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# AutoNation President and COO James R. Bender retiring March 4, 2022; CEO Manley to assume duties

## Summary
- James R. Bender, President and COO, provided notice of retirement effective March 4, 2022.
- CEO Michael Manley will assume all operating responsibilities after Bender's retirement until a successor is appointed.
- No successor has been named; search process is underway.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000350698-22-000018
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AN
- cik: 0000350698
- company_name: AUTONATION, INC.
- filed_at: 2022-01-26T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/350698/000035069822000018/0000350698-22-000018-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/350698/000035069822000018/an-20220125.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000350698-22-000018
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000350698-22-000018.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000350698-22-000018.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  James R. Bender retired as President and Chief Operating Officer at AUTONATION, INC..
  - Action: retired
  - Role: President and Chief Operating Officer
  source text: On January 25, 2022, James R. Bender, President and Chief Operating Officer of AutoNation, Inc. (the “Company”), provided notice that he intends to retire from the Company, effective March 4, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/350698/000035069822000018/0000350698-22-000018-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.