Longtime NIADA chief executive officer Michael Linn will become CEO emeritus as the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association’s leadership succession plan goes into effect.

Linn created a transition team, headed by NIADA past president Charles Teel, that has been working behind the scenes for more than two years to craft a plan to ensure a seamless transition in the association’s senior leadership.

As part of the succession plan, Steve Jordan, hired in 2011 as chief operating officer after serving as executive director of the Florida IADA, will be promoted to executive vice president. Linn, who served 14 years as NIADA’s CEO, will move into the role of CEO emeritus.

The transition will take effect July 1, immediately after the 2013 NIADA Convention and Expo at Caesars Palace.

Jordan will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of NIADA and will serve as president of the NIADA Services board and the NIADA Foundation’s board of trustees. He will report directly to the executive committee.

Linn will be relocating back to North Carolina – he served for 12 years as executive director of the Carolinas IADA before coming to NIADA – and will leverage his extensive background in broadcasting and media to head the growth opportunities associated with NIADA.TV, NIADA’s Conference Broadcasting TV and other “new” media.

“There is a lot of room for future growth in that area for the association that we are excited about.” Linn said. “To meet that demand, my primary focus will be to take the NIADA Internet TV networks to the next level.”

Linn will continue to work with the NIADA executive committee and attend industry events in his new role.

As NIADA’s executive vice president, Jordan will use his experience as a former Buy Here-Pay Here dealer and his expertise in lobbying, governmental affairs and public relations. He will continue to be responsible for growing and maintaining NIADA’s regulatory and legislative affairs programs, member services and association publications, as well as coordinating activities with the association’s state affiliate organizations around the country.

“It’s such a great honor to be given this opportunity to serve the NIADA, our dealers and the automotive industry in this capacity,” Jordan said. “I am humbled by the faith and trust Mike Linn and the NIADA executive committee have placed in me to carry the torch into the future. I’m excited. This position suits my background, personality and professional experiences perfectly.”

Chris Martin, former NIADA president and current chairman of the executive committee, said, “The NIADA executive committee is eager to lean on Mike’s broadcasting background to ramp up the NIADA TV networks and is thrilled to have someone of Steve’s enthusiasm, integrity and automotive industry experience steering the NIADA ship. Mike Linn is leaving some very big shoes to fill, but we are all confident Steve is the right man at the right time to build on the solid foundation Mike has established during his storied career at NIADA.”

Jordan has direct automotive dealership experience, specializing in Buy Here-Pay Here operations as the managing partner of J.D. Byrider’s Florida operation in Tallahassee. Previously he held positions as a political campaign manager and consultant, founder of an Internet company, account executive in Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s Fleet Services division and the deputy national field director of a nationwide political advocacy organization.