ATLANTA -

A continuation of corporate streamlining to meet current market conditions, including the creation of a key new position, and the retirement announcement of long-time executive Mike Broe was made recently by Manheim president Sandy Schwartz. The new position being planned is that of chief operating officer and will report directly to Schwartz.

Schwartz, in an email to Manheim employees and later shared by him with Auto Remarketing, said the changes in the executive office will make the company more efficient in meeting customer needs in a down market. A critical component of the change is the creation of a new position, chief operating officer, which he expects to fill “in the next few months.” The Manheim president also praised Broe for his 23-year career with the company.

In the employee email, Schwartz said, “As part of our effort to transform and evolve Manheim, a few of our business functions will be restructured to enable them to work better and more closely in this changing marketplace. In the next few months, I will name a chief operating officer. Among the direct reports of our new COO will be operations, sales, digital and IT.

“It has become clear to me that for us to move quickly, make timely decisions and get maximum efficiencies, these key areas need to be working closely on a day-to-day basis under one leader.”

Broe, who most recently held the position of executive vice president/operations at Manheim, began his career at Minneapolis Auto Auction and has been in Manheim’s corporate office since 2003, said Schwartz.

“Mike … held executive positions in HR, finance and operations, always serving our company with expertise, integrity and great energy,” Schwartz told Manheim employees. “Mike has also been a tireless worker on industry matters. Above all, Mike has always been a gentleman and a good friend to all of us. I want to personally thank Mike for his leadership and years of dedicated service to Manheim, Cox and our industry.”

Auto Remarketing also contacted Broe for comment on his retirement but he said he was unable to do so at this time.