SALT LAKE CITY — Prestige Financial Services announced a chief operating officer late last week.

Taking on the role is Bryant Henrie. As its most senior executive, Henrie will direct the auto finance company's efforts to capitalize on market opportunities and further leverage Prestige's relationship with its parent the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.

"Prestige's success is one of our top priorities and Bryant has proven his merit," said Greg Miller, Miller Group chief executive officer. "He's a man of expertise, character and leadership. His acceptance of this important responsibility gives us great confidence in the company's future."

Henrie joins Prestige after serving for 14 years as senior vice president of dealership operations for the Miller Group, which is the nation's 10th largest auto retailer.

In this capacity, he was responsible for the performance of 15 dealerships that last year generated more than $725 million in revenue and sold nearly 25,000 vehicles in six Western states.

At Prestige, Henrie will lead a team of six senior managers with nearly 40 years of combined tenure with the company, complementing his own 27 years of industry experience.

He entered the auto industry upon graduating from college, later joining the Miller Group as a dealership finance manager and advancing rapidly through the roles of used car manager, sales manager and general manager, officials noted.

Now in its 15th year of operations, Prestige provides consumer financing solutions for dealerships in 13 states. The company manages a loan portfolio of over $575 million.

Prestige recently established a new line of credit with Wells Fargo Preferred Capital, a facility that it is actively growing through syndication with other lenders, executives concluded.