ARLINGTON, Texas -

After stepping down from his post as automotive department chairman at Northwood University last month, Joe Lescota has secured a new role with the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association.

NIADA announced Monday that Lescota has been appointed to be the association’s director of dealer development. His new position with NIADA starts June 1, following the end of the spring semester at Northwood, where Lescota spent 15 years.

In the new role, he will collaborate with NIADA director of education Georgia Brown for dealer education initiatives and to evaluate analytical data.

Additionally, he will remain the lead instructor for the association’s Certified Master Dealer course.

CMD will still be presented in conjunction with Northwood and be accredited by the university, both of which have been the case since the course’s 2001 inception. Lescota has been lead instructor since 2003.

“I am very excited about my new role as director of dealer development for NIADA,” shared Lescota. “I have had the privilege of working with independent dealers for several years as the Certified Master Dealer instructor and at NIADA Conventions.

“Now I will be able to expand and help develop a wider range of educational programs offered by NIADA. It’s an awesome opportunity for me to work even closer and more frequently with NIADA members,” he continued.

Lescota was tapped for NIADA’s Ring of Honor induction last year. Only 20 others have received this honor in the 66-year history of NIADA. Furthermore, the Association of Finance and Insurance Professionals recognized Lescota as Man of the Year in 2006.

He has been a winner in Northwood’s Faculty Excellence awards five times.

“I’m looking forward to having Joe as a senior staff member on our educational team at NIADA,” stated Mike Linn, the association’s chief executive officer. “Joe’s industry knowledge and professionalism will be a great addition for us.”