[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATING MICHAEL LINN AS NEW CEO EMERITUS OF NIADA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE BARTON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2013

  Mr. BARTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Michael R. Linn as the 
new CEO Emeritus of the National Independent Automobile Dealers 
Association (NIADA) that is headquartered in Arlington, Texas, in my 
district.
  Prior to his new position, Mr. Linn served as the CEO of NIADA from 
1999 to 2013. Under his leadership, membership rose beyond 20,000 
members. In addition, NIADA added significant value to the automotive 
industry with its legislative and regulatory presence in the Nation's 
capitol. Expanded education programs, which include the Certified 
Master Dealer (CMD) Program and Certified F&I Professional Program, 
have greatly enhanced the professionalism of the industry. In 2004, the 
NIADA Educational Television Network (NIADA-TV) was created to better 
educate the nation's automotive dealers. In 2006, another educational 
TV network, Automotive Consumer Television, was developed to also 
educate consumers about the motor vehicle industry. All of these 
occurred during Mr. Linn's tenure. He also currently serves as a Board 
Member on the National Automotive Advisory Board at Northwood 
University in Midland, Michigan.
  Prior to joining NIADA, Mr. Linn served as the Executive Director of 
the Carolinas Independent Automobile Dealers Association that serves 
the industry in both North and South Carolina. With over 26 years of 
extensive experience in the motor vehicle industry, he is extremely 
knowledgeable of industry issues and the issues facing today's 
professional automobile dealer.
  Prior to working in the motor vehicle industry, Mr. Linn enjoyed a 
career in the motion picture and television industry as an Executive 
Producer. He is a graduate of LaSalle University with a Masters Degree 
in Business Administration (MBA) and is a Certified Program Planner. He 
has written several training manuals on the car rental industry, 
Federal labor laws and Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
(OSHA) regulations. Michael Linn is a native of North Carolina.
  The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, founded in 
1946, has represented the used motor vehicle industry for over 67 
years. NIADA's mission is to assist its members in becoming more 
successful within the automotive industry by bringing valuable 
information, services and benefits designed to prepare them for an 
ever-changing and ever-challenging marketplace.
  Again, congratulations to Michael Linn as the new CEO Emeritus of 
NIADA.

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