ATLANTA — Cox Automotive has appointed Joe George as senior vice president of Manheim Vehicle Solutions. He will be responsible for strategy to execution, driving the wholesale and retail solutions long-term plan related to reconditioning, imaging purchase protection and inspections.

Effective Oct. 17, George will report to Janet Barnard, president of Cox Automotive Inventory Solutions. He succeeds Shane O'Dell, who was recently named president of Cox Automotive Financial Services.

“Joe is a proven leader with in-depth knowledge of the changing wholesale and retail marketplaces,” said Janet Barnard, president of Cox Automotive Inventory Solutions. “With Joe’s support, we will move closer to our strategic vision of becoming a holistic inventory services provider, expanding our reach beyond the lanes and providing value-added, end-to-end services for our clients.”

George previously served as senior vice president and chief strategy officer for Cox Automotive. Earlier in his career, he helped launch Autotrader.com and held several leadership positions with Autotrader’s parent company.

George has worked with Cox Automotive and several of its brands for more than 27 years. He first joined the company as an auction employee at operating locations and rose through the ranks to eventually become marketing manager, general sales manager, and assistant general manager.

He later joined Manheim’s executive team and became senior vice president of product development and vice president of Manheim Digital, according to the company.

“I’m excited to help shape Cox Automotive’s remarketing strategy, especially at a time when the company is focused on reimagining the used-car marketplace and improving the client experience,” said George. “My goal is to help broaden our services and deliver added value to our clients and our company.”