SAN ANTONIO -

Among other awards given, the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association welcomed the newest member of its prestigious Ring of Honor.

During Tuesday’s Leadership Awards, part of the 75th annual NIADA Convention and Expo at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, NIADA added Tony Long, executive director of the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance and longtime leader and innovator in the remarketing industry, to this group.

Long became the 32nd auto industry leader to be inducted into the Ring of Honor, which is NIADA’s highest award for non-dealers.

NIADA’s Ring of Honor recognizes allied industry leaders who have contributed to the professionalism and growth of the automobile industry through outstanding performance and leadership.

The son of an dealer, Long began his career in the used-vehicle industry selling used cars for Twin City Buick in Alcoa, Tenn., but he and his parents shifted gears and went into the auction business as founders of Airport Auto Auction in Alcoa.

That partnership lasted 20 years, and in that span Long became an industry leader, highlighted by serving as president of the National Auto Auction Association in 2004.

Long was also the first president of NAAA’s Warren Young Scholastic Foundation — he was later named a Fellow of that foundation — and was chairman of the search committee that hired NAAA chief executive officer Frank Hackett, who retired this year after 17 years of distinguished service.

Long moved on from the auction business after his father, Paul, passed away in 2009, but four years later he returned to remarketing as IARA’s executive director.

During his tenure, Long has overseen the automation and growth of IARA’s Certified Automotive Remarketer program, which is widely used by IARA’s corporate members and is part of the curriculum of Auction Academy.

“I lost my dad 12 years ago,” Long told NIADA members in accepting the award, “but he would be so proud and so honored to see me getting an award from dealers. You were his buddies.

“I can truly say the most important lessons I’ve learned in this business are from my dad and from dealers just like you. I am so honored to be included in your family,” Long added

Also honored during the ceremony were NIADA Association Executive of the Year John Brown, recipients of the annual NIADA Foundation scholarships and winners of NIADA’s Crystal Eagle award for their efforts in increasing association membership.

In his 12 years as executive director of the Carolinas IADA, Brown has taken the association from more than $1 million in debt to a surplus of $1 million, as well as record attendance at CIADA’s past five annual conventions, with record vendor participation.

In addition, Brown launched CIADA’s Political Action Committees in North and South Carolina, leading to multiple legislative successes, and built strong relationships with both states’ Department of Motor Vehicles.

Brown also launched BetterDealers.TV, a successful continuing education platform that has hit record dealer participation the past two years. And he’s written three dealer books, including two Amazon best sellers.

The Carolinas also produced eight of the 10 winners of this year's Crystal Eagle award in recognition of outstanding efforts in generating new members for NIADA.

The Crystal Eagle recipients also included:

—Kim Bradshaw of 1st Nations Auto Sales
—Darryl Jackson of Crown Auto Sales & Finance
—Dale Matthews of Matthews Motors 2 Inc.
—Kevin Pendergrass of Carolinas Auto Sales of Myrtle Beach
—Steve Wetmore of McAdenville Motors
—Jerry Padrick of M&M Auto Sales
—Michael Threadgill of Triple T Motors
—Dean Cantey of Automotive Experts
—Jason Reaves of Wayne Reaves Computer Systems and Georgia IADA
—Michael Frazer of Frazer DMS and Texas IADA

NIADA went on to highlight the scholarship winners included Blake Holland of Sterling Heights, Mich., who won the $10,000 NIADA Foundation/Manheim Scholarship to Northwood University.

A rising senior studying automotive marketing and management at Northwood, NIADA said Holland is passionate about the auto industry. He’s been involved with the Northwood International Auto Show, currently serving as chief operating officer, and helped start a new campus organization called NU Auto, which focuses on accelerating and improving the university’s automotive curriculum and overall experience.

In addition, Holland has interned with Sellers Auto Group in Farmington Hills, Mich., working in every department at the dealership.

The NIADA Foundation also awarded scholarships to deserving students from each of the association’s four regions. The recipients included:

—Lauren O’Connell of Elmhurst, N.Y. (Region I)
—Victoria Shown of McMinnville, Tenn. (Region II)
—Cassandra Martinez of Albert Lea, Minn. (Region III)
—Serena Turner of Phoenix (Region IV)