TEMPE, Ariz. -

DriveTime chose a leader with plenty of experience in the franchised dealer group world to be its new chief executive officer.

According to an announcement distributed on Monday, Don Reese will join DriveTime as its new CEO beginning in late March. Reese will also be appointed to the DriveTime Automotive Group and Bridgecrest Acceptance boards of directors.

Reese replaces DriveTime’s previous CEO, Ray Fidel.

"We are very excited and pleased to welcome Don to DriveTime,” chairman Ernie Garcia said. “Don’s considerable leadership and operational experience in new and used auto sales, as well as his background as a CFO, make him an ideal candidate to lead DriveTime at this time.

“We continue to reinvent our dealership and digital customer experiences and offerings and expect to begin acquiring new-car dealerships beginning in 2018. I also view him as a very valuable addition to our boards,” Garcia continued.

Reese has more than 30 years of experience in both leadership and finance having spent:

• 11 years as the chief operating officer and chief financial officer for the Maroone Auto Group

• Six years as a senior vice president in operations and finance, and covering the Midwest Region for AutoNation

• 15 years with the Gurley Leep Automotive as COO

• Was most recently COO for Sheehy Auto Stores

For more information on DriveTime, visit drivetime.com.