AutoCanada’s leadership shift continues.

The Edmonton-based dealership group has named Fade Bouras as its new chief operating officer, effective Jan. 15, and has added John North to its board of directors.

The additions are the latest moves in the wake of executive chairman Paul Antony’s departure last fall. Since then, chief financial officer Sam Cochrane has stepped in as interim CEO, among other executive changes.

In a news release, AutoCanada said Bouras’ 20-plus years of automotive retail experience includes every major function in dealership operations. He most recently served as COO of HGrégoire, leading the dealership group’s large, high-volume, multi-location retail platform and overseeing end-to-end operating performance.

Bouras began his career on the sales floor and advanced into senior roles, including finance and business development, general manager over multiple stores, vice president of sales and marketing, and COO. AutoCanada cited his “deep, hands-on experience throughout the store and comprehensive understanding of dealership execution across both franchised and used vehicle operations.”

The company said Bouras will report to Cochrane and will work closely with interim president of dealership operations Mikel Pestrak, to improve performance among AutoCanada’s 64 dealerships in eight provinces. His responsibilities include marketing, used car dealerships and used vehicle strategy.

“Fade is a proven operator with deep experience across every level of dealership operations,” Cochrane said. “He brings a strong execution mindset, extensive platform leadership experience and a clear focus on operational discipline. His appointment strengthens our leadership team as we work to improve performance across our dealerships.”

North’s leadership experience includes 17 years with auto retail giant Lithia & Driveway in roles including chief financial officer, playing a key role in the company’s long-term growth, acquisition strategy and operational scale, with involvement in dealership operations, capital allocation and the integration of acquired stores.

He is currently chief financial officer of Grindr and is a non-executive board member of XPEL, chairing the compensation committee and serving as a financial expert on the audit committee.

“John brings deep automotive retail experience, strong public company governance expertise and a proven understanding of how to scale and integrate dealership platforms,” AutoCanada board chairman Chris Harris said. “His long tenure at Lithia & Driveway, combined with his broader executive and board experience, makes him a valuable addition to our board as we focus on long-term value creation.”

Holand sale of Ferrari store brings Blue back to California desert

Lapis Automotive Group, led by CEO Todd Blue, has acquired Ferrari Rancho Mirage in California from Montreal-based Holand Automotive Group.

In a news release, Holand said the transaction was made with the support and approval of Ferrari, and was driven by a long-standing professional relationship between Blue and Holand president and CEO Gad Bitton that led to “the shared conviction that Lapis Automotive Group is well positioned to lead Ferrari Rancho Mirage going forward.”

“After careful consideration, and with Ferrari’s blessing, we determined this was the right time to transition the business to an owner with strong local focus and expertise,” Bitton said. “This decision reflects our responsibility to act in the best long-term interests of the brand and our strategic vision.”

The acquisition marks a return for Blue to the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley market, where he built a successful luxury auto operation as CEO of IndiGO Auto Group.

“I’m energized to be back in Rancho Mirage,” he said. “These Desert Cities, which include Greater Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta and the entire Coachella Valley, are where I have chosen to represent Ferrari, and I am grateful to Ferrari North America for selecting me to do so.”

Holand said the market’s highly seasonal nature and need for constant on-site leadership made local ownership the most effective path for sustained success, but added it remains “firmly committed” to California, where it owns and operates Ferrari of South Bay in Torrance, serving the Los Angeles market.

Holand, which operates 15 locations in Quebec, the U.S. and Romania, said it will continue to evaluate growth opportunities in California and other major markets aligned with the Ferrari brand.

“We remain deeply committed to Ferrari and to our long-standing partnership,” Bitton said.