Matt Marks has been named the new executive director of the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA).

“We are pleased to announce that Matt has joined the IARA team,” said IARA president Dave Langley. “His role will be pivotal for our future progress, as he will have lead operational responsibility for the association in its mission and objectives. Matt will participate with the Board of Directors and oversee the various operating committees to help IARA accomplish its initiatives.”

As executive director, Marks will assist in the growth of the Alliance membership, and serve as a liaison between the IARA Board and Membership and outside entities. He will be responsible for leading the association board meetings and maintain constant communication with members and organizations allied to the remarketing industry.

From 1988 to 2000, Marks was the president/CEO of Intermodal Transportation Services (ITS), a vehicle inspection company headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. Marks was recruited to turn around the company, which at that time, was losing money. His turnaround efforts succeeded in generating a $6.6 million profit on $60 million in annual sales.

During his tenure at ITS, Marks helped develop new markets and products, create a paperless information service to assess transportation damages for more than 6 million vehicles annually, instituted electronic inspections of off-lease vehicles using hand-held devices, and launched a daily rental inspection program. Most recently, Marks was the president and owner of his own company – Bigmark Corp. – which was a B2B auto dealer Web site for wholesale transactions.

Prior to entering private business, Marks also flew in the Naval Air Reserve as a Ready Reservist from 1971 to 1989. His last assignment, as a captain in the Naval Reserve, was commanding officer of a Reserve unit assigned to the Office of the Assistant Vice Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon from 1985 to 1989.

About IARA

The International Automotive Remarketers Alliance exists to assist, educate, and share knowledge about the remarketing industry, both with members and industry partners. IARA seeks to standardize processes within the industry.

The Alliance is a central forum for the sharing of ideas and best practices within the industry and serves as a mechanism by which industry remarketers can share information on regulatory and legislative issues affecting the market.