DULUTH, Ga. -

 Asbury Automotive Group announced Monday it has appointed a new vice president and general counsel.

Tapped for the position is George Villasana, who was most recently senior VP and general counsel at Swisher Hygiene Inc.

The appointment is effective immediately.

Highlighting his background further, before working with Swisher Hygiene, he served as executive VP and general counsel at Pet DRx Corp.

He also has prior experience in the automotive industry.

Previously, he spent seven years as senior corporate counsel at AutoNation.

And Villasana began his career as an attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C.

"With George’s tenure in the automotive industry, we look forward to the experience and energy he will bring to Asbury," Asbury president and chief executive officer Craig Monaghan stated.

"We are pleased to welcome him to our team,” he added.

Villasana also commented on his new position, noting, "I look forward to leading the legal department at such a well-respected automotive retailer as Asbury. It is an exciting opportunity to return to the automotive industry."