By Michael Dabaie

Automotive retailer AutoNation Inc. said it named Joseph Lower as chief financial officer, effective Jan. 13.

Mr. Lower most recently has been CFO of Office Depot Inc.

Office Depot said Friday that Mr. Lower would be leaving the company Jan. 10 to assume the new role at AutoNation. Office Depot said it has begun searching for a new CFO.

Mr. Lower was named CFO for Office Depot in January 2018. Before joining Office Depot, Mr. Lower served as CFO of B/E Aerospace Inc. and held management positions at Boeing Co. .

Mr. Lower will report to AutoNation Chief Executive Cheryl Miller.

Ms. Miller had been CFO of the automotive retailer when she was promoted to the CEO role in July, succeeding Carl Liebert just months after he was named to the position.