AutoNation Elects Rick Burdick As Chairman; To Repurchase Up To Addl $1 Bln Of Stock WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - AutoNation Inc. (AN) said it elected Rick Burdick as Chairman of the Board. The change was made as part of the Board's succession plan and previously announced decision to separate the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Burdick has served as one of AutoNation's directors since May 1991 and as Lead Independent Director since December 2018. Effective as of February 15, 2021, Rick Burdick assumed the position of independent Chairman of the Board thereby succeeding Mike Jackson, AutoNation's Chief Executive Officer, as Chairman. Jackson will continue in his role as Chief Executive Officer and remain on the Board.