Group 1 names chief legal officer, first-ever chief marketing officer
Group 1 Automotive said Tuesday it has hired a chief legal officer as well as a chief marketing officer.
Joining the company as CLO and senior vice president is Gillian Hobson, who comes over from Vinson & Elkins in Houston. She was part of the firm’s management committee and was Group 1’s primary relationship attorney.
Hobson takes over for Darryl Burman, who is retiring as Group 1’s senior vice president and general counsel.
Meanwhile, Kimberly Barta is the first-ever chief marketing officer at Group 1. Her background includes time in marketing leadership roles at Nike’s innovation lab, SOREL and Dr. Martens.
“We are privileged to welcome these two accomplished executives to the Group 1 leadership team. Gillian and Kimberly are proven professionals who bring skill sets to Group 1 that will help drive our strategic growth and customer-centric initiatives,” Group 1 president and CEO Daryl Kenningham said in a news release.
“We’d also like to thank Darryl Burman for his 16 years of service to the company. Darryl was instrumental in supporting much of Group 1's expansion during that time and we wish him the best in his retirement,” Kenningham said.
These moves continue a transition in Group 1's leadership. Kenningham stepped in to the CEO role on Jan. 1, following the retirement of Earl Hesterberg from that position, a move first announced in August.