The American Recovery Association (ARA) closed the first half of 2022 with significant changes in leadership, naming a new president and executive director.

Stepping away from those respective roles, Dave Kennedy and Les McCook have handed the ARA leadership responsibilities to Vaughn Clemmons and Joel Kennedy.

Clemmons, president at Automobile Recovery Bureau, was elected president of the American Recovery Association, and Joel Kennedy was chosen as executive director of ARA, according to a news release from the association distributed this week.

“I would be remiss not to mention my gratitude to Dave Kennedy, our past president, for the insight and support he has provided to me this past year. I am honored to those who have entrusted their confidence in me to promote the beliefs of the greatest recovery trade association in America,” Clemmons said.

“Together, we will continue on the path of growth that Les McCook and Dave Kennedy have laid out for us all, explore opportunities to further the growth of the industry, continue to provide advancement opportunities to ARA members, and promote the standardization of this great industry,” Clemmons continued.

The ARA board of directors also will include:

—Bennett Deese of Home Detective Company as vice president

—Marcelle Egley of ABA Resource Service as treasurer/secretary

—Stephanie Findley of I R Services as director

—Dave Kennedy of First Credit Resources as immediate past president

—Jeremy Cross of International Recovery Systems as director

—Amy Bednar of Relentless Recovery as director

Joel Kennedy has been in association leadership previously, having served for more than two years as president of the National Automotive Finance Association.

“I wish to thank the members and the ARA board for placing their trust in me to continue to build upon the solid foundation and pillars now in place that were considered unimaginable just five years ago,” Joel Kennedy said in another message distributed by ARA.

The ARA has the wind in its sails, and I will work tirelessly to keep that momentum going and to establish a new era of fairness and equity for the professionals I proudly serve,” he added.

Meanwhile, McCook departs after having been the ARA executive director for almost 16 years.

“Serving as executive director of American Recovery Association and representing the finest group of professionals in the industry has been a highlight of my life,” McCook said in the news release.

“ARA is positioned as the national trade association of the recovery industry to make a difference for all stakeholders. This new generation of leaders is just what we need to continue to build on the foundation laid by our founders,” McCook went on to say.