ARLINGTON, Texas — After leading the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) for 14 years as COO, Michael Linn assumed the title of CEO emeritus on July 1 as part of the association’s leadership succession plan.

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

Linn will be relocating to North Carolina where he previously served as executive director of the Carolinas IADA. He will be using his extensive broadcasting background to head 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 also continue to work with the NIADA executive committee and attend industry events in his new role. Last month, he received NIADA’s first lifetime achievement award at the National Leadership Awards Banquet during the annual NIADA Convention and Expo. In tribute to Linn, the award will be known as the Michael R. Linn NIADA Lifetime Achievement Award.

“NIADA has been truly blessed to have had the leadership of Mike Linn,” said Don Fincher, chairman of NIADA’s executive board and a past president. “Serving on the executive board these last few years, I have seen first-hand the issues, challenges and problems we face as dealers on the national level. And I have worked side by side with a man who has calmly, competently and efficiently led our association with integrity and dedication through those trying times.

“The true measure of leadership is someone who refuses to give up or give in and does not let anything or anyone deter from the objective. That is Mike Linn.”

As part of the NIADA’s succession plan, which went into effect following the 2013 NIADA Convention and Expo, Steve Jordan was promoted to executive vice president. He will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 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.