As the organization handed out other honors and scholarships, ADESA president and chief executive officer Tom Caruso recently became the newest member of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association’s Ring of Honor.

A veteran of more than 30 years in the automotive industry, Caruso is the 22nd industry leader to be inducted into the Ring of Honor, NIADA’s highest award to a non-dealer.

“Tom has been a good friend since we first met when he was general manager of ADESA Boston,” NIADA CEO Michael Linn 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 image of the industry and to assist its dealers,” Linn continued.

“It has always been a pleasure and an honor for me to have known all of our Ring of Honor recipients. We are deeply indebted to their service,” Linn went on to say.

Caruso began his auction career as factory manager at Concord Auto Auction and was general manager in 1992 when ADESA purchased the Massachusetts auction. He rose through the ranks, becoming Northeast regional vice president in 1998, executive vice president of Eastern operations in 2007, chief operating officer in 2008 and president and CEO a year later.

Caruso now oversees ADESA’s operations throughout the United States and Canada, establishing the company’s direction and leading the development and execution of its goals and objectives.

Caruso has served as president of the National Auto Auction Association and on the board of directors of the National Vehicle Leasing Association and the Massachusetts Independent Automobile Dealers Association. 

In 2006, he was awarded the Massachusetts IADA’s highest honor — its Lifetime Achievement Award.

“It is a truly an honor to be named to the Ring of Honor,” Caruso said.

“As a charter member of the Massachusetts IADA, I have remained active in the association at the local level for more than 25 years,” he continued. “I’m continually impressed by all that NIADA does to support dealers and our industry. It is a privilege to accept this award.”

Indiana’s Andersen Named NIADA 2012 Association Executive of the Year

Debbie Andersen, executive director of the Indiana Independent Automobile Dealers Association, was selected by her peers as NIADA’s 2012 Association Executive of the Year.

Andersen has headed the IIADA since 2001 after serving as the association’s accountant. NIADA indicated she has used her background as a CPA to put IIADA in a strong financial position.

“The association was going through hard economic times,” said 2011 Executive of the Year Jim Mitchell of Ohio, who presented the award to Andersen during the 66th Annual NIADA Convention & Expo at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas last week.

“But today it is on solid financial ground, and the association’s membership has grown to its highest level,” Mitchell added.

The winner is chosen by the executives of the state independent auto dealers associations nationwide.

“I’m very honored,” Andersen said, “because it’s a selection by my peers, and to be honored by your peers is the ultimate in respect.”

Andersen worked as controller for manufacturing- and automotive-related companies before starting her own CPA practice in 1995 and serving as IIADA’s accountant.

She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Indiana CPA Society and the American Association of University women.

NIADA Announces 2012 Scholarship Recipients

Five young men and women were named as the recipients of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association’s 2012 Scholarship Awards.
Marc Raymond Destine, a rising junior majoring in automotive marketing and management and international business at Northwood University in Midland, Mich., was awarded the NIADA/AutoTrader.com National Scholarship.

Morgan Jean Rintamaki of Ishpeming, Mich., earned NIADA’s scholarship from Region I, joining Jessica Elise Graham of Goose Creek, S.C. (Region II), Mara Danielle Klecker of Sioux Falls, S.D. (Region III) and Taylor Matthew Davis of Antelope, Calif. (Region IV) as regional winners.

Each year, the NIADA Foundation sponsors a student who has displayed outstanding abilities in education from each of our 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.

The foundation and AutoTrader.com also 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.

All students’ entries are judged by Northwood University.

Destine was born in St. Marc, Haiti, and moved to Lowell, Mich., with his mother, Raymonde, when he was in sixth grade, leaving his father, Marcel, behind to continue pastoring his church and deal with Haiti’s political upheaval.

While in Michigan, Destine became close friends with classmate Austin Tackmann, and when his mother returned to Haiti, Marc moved in with Tackmann and his parents, Douglas and Heidi.

Destine has been a consistent member of the Dean’s Honor Roll at Northwood and is a linebacker on the Timberwolves’ football team. He is also involved in Northwood’s annual auto show, which last year displayed more than 500 vehicles and attracted some 20,000 visitors.

Rintimaki graduated in the top five of her class at Westwood high School and will attend Northern Michigan where she plans to major in nutrition and pursue a career in naturopathic medicine.

Graham, a standout in volleyball, basketball, softball and track at Ashley Hall School, has volunteered her time and skills to help physically and mentally challenged children succeed in various activities sponsored by Ashley Hall’s PALS Club, Special Olympics, the Miracle League, and the Buddy Walk. She has spent hours raising funds to promote a cure for breast cancer, including Race for the Cure and Dragon Boat of Charleston, and has volunteered as a coach for Ashley Hall’s volleyball camps. She will attend Wofford College and major in pharmacy.

Klecker, from Lincoln High School, is headed for the University of Nebraska to major in journalism after winning several major writing awards. Among those honors was the 2008 National Geographic Kids Hands-On Explorer Challenge, in which she was one of 15 students selected to travel to Australia alongside National Geographic journalists. She also plays classical violin and has done more than 460 hours of volunteer work in the past four years. This summer she plans to interview veterans at the VA Medical Center and present the stories to their families.

Davis, an outstanding math student at Antelope High School, plans to pursue a career in mechanical engineering, with an emphasis in management and business. He was captain of the men’s volleyball team, vice president of the speech and debate club and president of the California Scholarship Federation. He is also an Eagle Scout and a Special Olympics volunteer.