The International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Tony Long as the new executive director of the IARA, effective Sept. 1, 2013.

“Tony is a genuine industry veteran and professional,” said Levi McCoy, newly installed president of the IARA and director of remarketing for LeasePlan USA. “With the skills and abilities he brings to the table, I expect to see great things from the IARA in the coming months and years.”

Long is succeeding Stephen Houston, interim executive director, who has served the IARA in this capacity since Matt Marks passed unexpectedly in October 2012. "I am pleased to have served as the interim executive director of the IARA for the past 11 months following the passing of Matt Marks,” Houston said. “As a past president and chairman of the Board, I am excited about the future if the IARA. I also look forward to assisting Tony as he transitions into his new role with the Alliance."

Long is a 20-year veteran of the remarketing and auction industry and spent the past four years the Credit Acceptance Corp.

Long was an elected official within both the Southern Auto Auction Association and the National Auto Auction Association (NAAA). From 2003 to 2005, he was the president and then chairman of the Board for the NAAA. He was also the first President and a Fellow of the NAAA (Warren Young, Sr.) Scholastic Foundation. During his tenure in the auction industry, Long was known for his award-winning service to his remarketing customers.

From 1983 to 1988 he has held positions with Twin City Buick, the National Teacher Associates, Energy Shear of America, Inc. In 1988 he moved to the auction arena, working for Lenior City Auto Auction, Inc. as the general manager, Airport Auto Auction Inc., as the fleet/lease remarketing manager then VP and general manager, and now works for Credit Acceptance Corp. as the Knoxville market area manager.

"Tony Long is a consensus builder with a proven track record of bringing diverse groups together to accomplish common goals,” said Don Fowler, the IARA’s search committee chairman. “He has exhibited an understanding of what it takes to manage a voluntary industry organization and has demonstrated his ability to be a results oriented leader."

Long resides in Alcoa, Tenn., with his wife Denise and daughter Kristen.

About the IARA: 

The IARA (www.iaraonline.org) is a nonprofit professional organization for remarketers which was formed in 2001 to provide a venue for consignors to address remarketing industry issues. IARA consignor members remarket over 1.5 million vehicles annually.     

The IARA meets twice a year in March and August to address industry issues through its acclaimed roundtable series sessions. 

RELATED CONTENT: 

• Houston Named Interim Executive Director for the IARA

• IARA Leadership Profile: Levi McCoy

• Marks Buried in Arlington Cemetery