MOUNT ARLINGTON, N.J. -

The International Automotive Remarketers Alliance this week announced its expansion into Canada, as a partner in the automotive remarketing community.

Heading up the organization in Canada are two industry leaders who co-chair the IARA Canadian initiative: Steve Macaluso, director of corporate accounts with CarProof, and Lisa Scott, senior vice president at ADESA Canada.

With the expansion into Canada, the IARA reports that, as in the U.S., its education and communication assets will be made available to members at every level of the used- vehicle supply chain.

Other Canadian committee members include:

—John Paonessa, GM Financial Canada
—Doug Collis, Ford Canada
—Tim Quesnel, Ford Canada
—Don Wallace, Manheim Canada
—Alex Johnston, Hyundai Auto Canada
—Josh Bailey, Canadian Black Book

Also, IARA said it is currently developing a Canadian version of its Certified Automotive Remarketer Program, which is designed to offer training in all aspects of the remarketing process to those in the industry. Further announcements will be made as the course materials are developed, the organization said.

The non-profit IARA was created to build a central knowledge based for the evolving area of used vehicles, knowledge the organization said is increasingly important in today’s environment of reduced used vehicle supply.

The IARA aims to serve as single industry source for information on technical, training or regulatory developments in the remarketing world, and actively promotes a code of ethics for all members.

As IARA expands into Canada, a group of individuals representing a broad range of industry-related experience have volunteered take part, and have organized into several subcommittees to support IARA goals.

The subcommittees include Education and Certification; Membership Development; Industry Recognition and Rewards; Technology and Standards; and Public Relations.

New members are currently being accepted by the IARA, with two membership types offered, Institutional and Industry.

Institutional members include auto manufacturers, their finance companies, lessors and other owners of vehicles. Industry members include various suppliers who support the Institutional community, the IARA reported.

For more information on membership, contact Collis at dcollis@ford.com. For information on IARA Canada, see www.iaraonline.org/committees/canadian-committee.