Professional Role and Tenure
Joseph T. Lower served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at AutoNation Inc., a position he assumed effective January 13, 2020, following his appointment announcement on November 22, 2019. He was responsible for overseeing the company’s entire finance function, including financial controls, external reporting, financial planning and analysis, accounting, treasury, investor relations, and corporate real estate.
Lower also played a strategic role leading AutoNation’s business transformation initiatives, a responsibility publicly noted as ongoing through 2023 and into mid-2025. This transformation focus aligns with AutoNation’s efforts to maintain its position as America’s largest automotive retailer and a Fortune 150 company.
As of May 11, 2023, he had agreed to continue serving as Executive Vice President and CFO until his successor, Thomas Szlosek, joined the company. Szlosek’s appointment marked Lower’s transition from the CFO role, with Lower retiring from AutoNation in 2024.
Education
Joseph Lower holds a Master of Business Administration from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, an indication of advanced management and financial expertise supporting his executive leadership.
Career Background Prior to AutoNation
Before joining AutoNation, Lower held executive financial leadership positions, notably as CFO at B/E Aerospace, Inc., a publicly traded global leader in aviation. He also served as CFO at Office Depot, from which he transitioned into his role at AutoNation.
His career spans over 30 years of finance and business development experience, emphasizing both operational and strategic finance leadership.
Compensation
In 2023, Joseph Lower’s total compensation as Executive Vice President and CFO of AutoNation amounted to approximately $6,820,599, including a base salary of $1,226,933. This reflects his senior leadership status within a large publicly traded company.
Post-AutoNation Activities and Board Memberships
Following his retirement from AutoNation in 2024, Joseph Lower was elected as an independent director to the Board of Directors at Hillenbrand, Inc., a diversified industrial company, effective October 21, 2024. His board role signifies recognition of his expertise in financial and strategic operations beyond the automotive sector.
At Hillenbrand, Lower’s experience as a former CFO of a large public company is highlighted, supporting governance and oversight functions.
Company Context: AutoNation Inc.
AutoNation, Inc. is the largest automotive retailer in the United States, operating over 300 franchises and more than 260 stores across the country. The company experienced 32 consecutive years of annual growth and record earnings through 2024, delivering a 2.9% increase in comparable store sales in 2024.
AutoNation’s success is attributed to a customer-centric business model emphasizing peerless sales and service experiences, which Joseph Lower supported through his financial and transformational leadership.
Summary of Relevant Insights
- Joseph Lower has extensive executive financial leadership experience, having held the CFO position at multiple large public companies before and during his tenure at AutoNation.
- His role at AutoNation extended beyond traditional CFO duties to include leading major business transformation efforts, underscoring a strategic and operational focus.
- The compensation package exceeding $6.8 million in 2023 underlines his high-ranking status and the critical nature of his responsibilities.
- His post-retirement election to Hillenbrand’s board confirms his ongoing influence and recognition in corporate governance.
- Educational credentials from a top-tier MBA program (Kellogg, Northwestern University) add depth to his management and leadership capabilities.
- Lower was actively involved until 2023–2024 in ensuring a smooth executive transition, consistent with corporate governance best practices in leadership succession.
This profile indicates Joseph Lower is a seasoned finance executive with a strong track record in leading finance functions and corporate transformations within a Fortune 150 automotive retail environment, subsequently extending his expertise into board-level governance roles.
