CARMEL, Ind. -

ADESA has named Paul Lips its chief operating officer for the U.S.

He is being promoted from his current role as executive vice president of operations and finance.

This move coincides with a new structure for ADESA’s auction groups. In the new post, Lips will head up the entire U.S. auction operations group for ADESA, which will now consist of four regional groups instead of two.

Previously, it was just East and West. Now, ADESA has added Midwest and Mideast groups.

ADESA said in its news release that the aim of the new structure is “to implement best practices and standardize processes to provide more dedicated service and support to customers nationwide.”

President and chief executive officer Stéphane St-Hilaire said in the statement: “At ADESA, we are continually developing new strategies to ensure our customers have the best auction experience possible. The launch of four regions in place of two will enable us to further satisfy our customers’ needs and better leverage our resources and multiple assets at KAR Auction Services.

“Paul is a proven innovator and leader who has consistently strengthened our operations since joining the company nearly two decades ago. His unique blend of financial and operational expertise will be essential to driving this exciting change.”

With the realignment comes two additional promotions, as well.

  • Jay Hinchman,  who had been general manager of ADESA Las Vegas, is now vice president of U.S. auction operations in the new Midwest region
     
  • Geoff Parker, formerly the GM of ADESA Cincinnati-Dayton is regional vice president of U.S. auction operations in the new Mideast region.

Pat Stevens will continue as executive vice president of U.S. auction operations in the West, and Mike Caggiano will remain in that same role in the East.

Additionally, as part of the auction operational structure changes, ADESA said Doug Shore, who had been vice president of business operations, has been named senior VP of auction operations.

His role will be to head up ne new auction integration and capital allocation.

ADESA is also expanding the role of Jane Morgan, president of specialty auction divisions. She will now oversee mobile auction offerings and help in geographic expansions, as well.

Lips has been with ADESA since 1996 and held such leadership roles as corporate controller for ADESA’s finance department, vice president of investor relations and planning, and senior vice president of operations and finance. Plus, his most recent post as executive vice president of operations and finance.

Lips was also the 2013 president of the National Auto Auction Association.