Used Car News

Mike Linn choreographs all the awards ceremonies at the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association convention down to the last detail.
The entire event follows the script of the group’s executive vice president.
Or so he thought.

Outgoing president Tim Swift threw Linn for a loop this year when he presented him with an unexpected gift during the NIADA’s leadership awards banquet.
This November marks Linn’s 10th anniversary
heading the association. After receiving his president’s ring from Black Book, Swift called Linn onstage to present him with his own ring.
Linn’s ring features ten diamonds to mark the milestone.
This fall will see a 21st anniversary of service to independent dealers for Linn. He spent 11 years running the Carolinas IADA before moving up to the national post.
The NIADA extended Linn’s contract another seven years recently. He said he hopes to serve until he retires.
“I’ll continue to do as good a job as I can,” Linn said. “That’s my solemn promise to you.”
Swift reflected on serving his tenure during a turbulent time when he gave his farewell address.
“It’s been a little tough to thoroughly enjoy my experience with all that’s gone on in the industry,” he said.
Swift’s term saw $4-a-gallon gas, two auto manufacturer bankruptciesandthe
crippling credit crisis.
He said all this made membership in the NIADA and the stateassociationsmore
important than ever.
The crucial role of self-improvement ran as a theme for much of the night. Joe
Lescota, chairman of Northwood University’s automotive marketing department, made the point during his remarks.
“Education is imperative,” he said. “There’s very little room for mistakes.”
One student who will receive that critical education this fall from Lescota will be Paul Rowley Jr., who won the NIADA national scholarship to the school.
Rowley already attends Northwood, where he is a star student and campus leader.
Rowley may follow in the footsteps of Eric Nelson, an ‘08 Northwood alum who
appeared alongside Lescota on a marketing panel.
Nelson opened his own store upon graduation.
There was a time when Rowley’s scholarship was in jeopardy, along with the four other scholarships NIADA gave out at the convention.
Bob Lawrence, who heads the scholarship effort, said the program lost its main sponsor earlier this year and the association lacked the necessary funds.
But then AutoTrader.com stepped in and filled the void.
“I don’t know where this program would be if it weren’t forAutoTrader.com,” Lawrence said.
This was just the latest
contribution to the industry from AutoTrader.com and its CEO, Chip Perry. The NIADA inducted Perry into its Ring of Honor.
Perry received the honor humbly.
“We’ve been fortunate at AutoTrader.com to be part of a movement that’s helped
expand opportunities for the industry,” he said.
The association recognized another young man for contributing to the industry.
Adam Jones was named the state executive director of the year. He manages the Utah IADA with his father, Wayne.
Wayne Jones himself won the same honor about 20 years ago.