INDIANAPOLIS -

The XLerate Group has a new chief operating officer. The auto auction company said Monday it has named former ADESA executive Pat Stevens to the post.

The COO position had been unoccupied for a while after Darris McClure moved over to lead XLFunding, a floor planning business the auction group recently launched.

As for Stevens, he had been executive vice president for the West at ADESA, following time as regional vice president for West. Before that, Stevens had been ADESA Dallas’ general manager, a role in which he had served since 2000.

“I am very pleased to be with the XLerate Group,” Stevens said in a news release. “I look forward to working with our employees, clients and partners to continue building this great company.”

His industry experience goes back to 1994, when he became a fleet manager at what was then ADT Automotive.

“Pat Stevens’ comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of auction operations makes him a perfect fit in the role of COO,” XLerate chief executive officer Cam Hitchcock said in a news release “Pat has worked in the auto auction industry for over 20 years, and 14 of those years in executive management positions. His addition to our management staff strengthens our company.”

XLerate executive vice president Chuck Tapp said: “We are excited to have Pat on board. His experience is essential to our future growth. We have confidence that Pat will help take our auction group to the next level.”