ARLINGTON, Texas -

A North Carolina dealer is ready to take the reigns as president of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association.

Officially assuming the role during NIADA’s 66th Annual Convention and Expo at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas was Chris Martin, president of E-Z Auto in Fayetteville, N.C.

Martin, the son of champion drag racer Buddy Martin — a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame — succeeds 2011-12 president Don Fincher of Houston.

“I am honored to be president of a national association with an incredible 66-year history,” Chris Martin said.

“For me, an independent car dealer from southeastern North Carolina, it’s quite a humbling experience. It doesn’t matter where you live, from the Carolinas to California, the independent car dealer is still the backbone of the greatest industry in the nation,” he continued.

“There are a growing number of entrepreneurs with faith in themselves and hope in an idea to create new jobs, new wealth and opportunity as independent dealers each and every day. They still believe the best is yet to come,” Martin added.

“There is nothing wrong with entrepreneurship in America,” he went on to say. “When individuals are given a personal stake in deciding their own success, America remains economically alive and free. When independent car dealers are able to invest in our own success, we create jobs within our communities and sell products people need and desire.”

NIADA highlighted that Martin worked for Wachovia Bank for six years after graduating from North Carolina State University, but left the banking world in January 1995 and went back to his automotive roots to work with his father, who founded E-Z Auto in 1992.

For Martin, it was an easy decision — he got to combine his love of finance and cars.

Martin is an NIADA Certified Master Dealer — he was the first dealer in the Carolinas to earn that distinction — and was named Carolinas IADA Quality Dealer of the Year in 2003. He has served the national association as chairman of the NIADA Services board, chairman of the legislative committee, secretary and vice president.

“Chris Martin has a complete understanding of the challenging issues facing NIADA and will provide our association with outstanding leadership,” Fincher said.