The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association handed out a group of awards last week at its annual convention and expo, that included inducting a new member in the NIADA Ring of Honor, Lifetime Achievement Awards, scholarships and more.

First up, NIADA has inducted National Auto Auction Association chief executive officer Frank Hackett and NADA Used Car Guide vice president and chief operating officer Mike Stanton into the NIADA Ring of Honor.

Hackett and Stanton became the 24th and 25th industry leaders to be inducted into the Ring of Honor, NIADA’s highest award to a non-dealer.

“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 organization explained.

Hackett has been NAAA’s CEO since 2004.

“Frank has always been a strong advocate for our dealers, our associations and the industry as a whole,” NIADA executive vice president Steve Jordan said. “Like our other Ring of Honor members, he has dedicated his career to the automotive industry, always giving of his time and resources to improve the industry and to assist its dealers.”

Stanton has been in the industry for more than 20 years and joined NADA in 2000 as national sales manager of NADA Used Car Guide and earned a promotion to association director, presenting dealer interests to manufacturers. He returned to NADA Used Car Guide as vice president and COO in 2006.

“Over the years, Mike has been instrumental in working closely with NIADA, assisting the association and promoting the professionalism of independent dealers throughout the country,” Jordan said. “We’re proud to welcome him as a deserving member of our Ring of Honor.”

NIADA Reveals Scholarship Winners

The organization also name five young men and women as the recipients of the NIADA 2014 Scholarship Awards during at the event last week.

Kayla Stock, a junior majoring in automotive marketing and management at Northwood University in Midland, Mich., was awarded the NIADA/AutoTrader.com National Scholarship.

The foundation and AutoTrader.com award a $10,000 national scholarship each year for an outstanding student to attend or continue his or her education at Northwood University in an automotive-related field.

Ian Peczak of Basking Ridge, N.J., earned NIADA’s scholarship from Region I, joining Daniel Hott of Clarksville, Tenn. (Region II), Alex Holtz of Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Region III) and Bradley Davis of Antelope, Calif. (Region IV) as winners of NIADA’s regional scholarships, the organization shared.

Each year the NIADA Foundation NIADA Foundation proudly sponsors a student who has displayed outstanding abilities in education from each of the association’s four regions across the nation with a $3,500 scholarship to the college or university of his or her choice, thanks to the assistance of AutoTrader.com.

NIADA Chooses Past Organization Presidents for NIADA Lifetime Achievement Award

NIADA also chose two past presidents as recipients of its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Last week, past association presidents Bob Lawrence and Charles Teel were selected to receive the Michael R. Linn NIADA Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award was “created to honor individuals who have contributed a career of exceptional and selfless service to the association,” the association said.

It is named for NIADA CEO emeritus Michael Linn, who became the first recipient last year on his retirement from his job as NIADA’s chief executive.

“Bob and Charles helped pave the way to accomplish the goals we had set for NIADA’s future,” Linn said of the award’s two latest recipients. “Without these two individuals, those goals would have never been accomplished. These two individuals are responsible for the success and financial stability the association enjoys today.”

Association Names 2014 2014 NIADA National Quality Dealer

Lastly, NIADA named Marc Powell, president of reCARnation in Albuquerque, N.M., as its 2014 National Quality Dealer of the Year.

Powell was chosen from the 19 State Quality Dealers nominated for highest honor given among NIADA’s dealer members — the candidates are judges on factors, including contributions to the industry as well as community involvement.

And the ceremony was televised live on NIADA.TV.

“Marc Powell has gained an exceptional reputation not only with his customers but throughout the community and the industry,” NIADA's Jordan said. “His business philosophy is grounded in a belief that service to others is the purpose of life. The key idea is that success is meaningful only when shared, leading the company to focus on the success of customers, team members, community and the industry.”

Much of Powell’s business is focused on making sure the vehicles he sell lasts as long as possible for buyers.

“We’ve developed a life-extension service for cars,” Powell told the Albuquerque Journal. “I don’t think anybody else in New Mexico does what we do. “We try to do a great job of extending the life of a car. … People need to keep rolling.”

Powell said his business philosophy emphasizes transparency, honesty and compassion. For example, reCARnation sponsors a different charity every month.

The dealership begins each month with a party for its chosen charity and donates money for every car sold for the next 30 days, the association shared.

“Marc has an unwavering commitment to our community,” New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez wrote in a letter recommending Powell for the award. “In 2013, he donated over 50 percent of reCARnation’s profit to local individuals and institutions in need.”