MOUNT ARLINGTON, N.J. -

In light of Hurricane Sandy, it was announced that the memorial service for Matt Marks — the late executive director of the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance — will now take place on Wednesday.

Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Goble Funeral Home in Sparta, N.J. The funeral home is at 22 Main Street.

Instead of flowers, Marks had asked that people donate to the Wounded Warrior Project in his memory, which can be done here.

Marks died Sunday morning. Following his passing, several industry leaders shared their memories of Marks and how he helped the business.

ServNet chief executive officer Pierre Pons said in a message to ServNet’s membership on Monday: “Matt was the original director of IARA, overseeing not only the organization’s expansion, but establishing it as a credible and critical voice within the remarketing industry.

“Earlier in his career, Matt had been President of ITS (the inspection company now known as SGS), and had served our country in the armed forces as a pilot in the Navy (landing fighter planes on aircraft carriers!),” he added. “Matt’s leadership and resolve will be missed.  He was a patriot and one of the most honorable men I have ever known.”

Bob Graham, vice president of vehicle remarketing at ARI and chairman of the IARA board,  also remembered Marks on Monday.

“Matt was the backbone and strength behind the IARA and will be sorely missed. He was professional, thoughtful and patient as he guided the alliance from its infancy to its place of prominence today,” Graham said. “Matt will be missed as a genuinely nice person and a good friend who always put others first.”

Rob Wagner, IARA president and director of asset remarketing at Hyundai Capital America, said: “Matt was the living example of professionalism and being personable. His commitment to excellence was seen by everyone. His thoughtfulness felt by everyone.

“Words are hard to find for individuals such as Matt. Let it be that Matt was the best of all that any of us could ever expect. Solid — solid like granite, (with) absolute reliability,” he continued. “Few men know how to act without direction; Matt knew. From your friends at IARA, all the best. We will be thinking and praying for you and your family, now and for many years to come.”

Pons told Auto Remarketing that TPC Management Co. (where Pons is founder and president) ran the search assignment that placed Marks with IARA, adding that, “under our ServNet hat, Matt has been a great supporter of the industry.”

Pons added: “We all thought very highly of him.”