Darryl Ceccoli, chief operating officer of Manheim Auctions, has decided to retire from his day-to-day operating responsibilities at the end of the year. He will join Manheim’s new Board of Advisors and continue to lead the dealer sales initiative.

“I look forward to my new role in the organization — one that will give me more time to pursue personal interests while staying close to the people who have meant so much to me over the years,” Ceccoli said.

Ceccoli has been with Manheim for 27 years. He joined Manheim in 1975 as assistant general manager of National Auto Dealers Exchange in Bordentown, N.J., when Manheim had only 12 auctions in the Eastern U.S. He was promoted to general manager in 1979. Ceccoli moved to Manheim’s corporate office in 1982 as executive vice president and chief operating officer, and was named president and chief executive officer in 1991. He began in his current capacity as chief operating officer in 1995.

Jamie Porter, currently senior vice president of operations reporting to Ceccoli, will be promoted to executive vice president of operations reporting to Dean Eisner, president and chief executive officer of Manheim.