Steve Jordan, the longtime chief executive of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, is joining KAR Global next month as its executive vice president of dealer sales.

KAR made the announcement Monday morning.

Jordan has been with NIADA for 11 years and its CEO for the past seven. NIADA announced Friday that Jordan had resigned his position to pursue another auto industry opportunity and that he would remain with the association in an advisory role for a 30-day transition period.

“Steve is a true industry leader who understands the full automotive ecosystem, from high-level market and economic trends to the day-to-day challenges of running a dealership,” ADESA president John Hammer, who is also KAR’s chief commercial officer, said in Monday’s news release.

“His broad insight and experience will keep us closely connected to our dealers and help ensure we continue delivering the innovative products and services they need,” Hammer said. “Steve’s digital mindset and entrepreneurial spirit are a perfect match for our strategy and our culture, and we’re excited to have him on the team.”

In his new role with KAR, Jordan will head up its dealer sales organization in the U.S. and Canada, with an emphasis on advancing KAR’s dealer-facing buyer and seller products, services and solutions, the company said.

“I am very excited to join the KAR Global team at such a transformative time at the company and in our industry,” Jordan said in Monday’s release.  “KAR’s physical and digital marketplaces, data analytics capabilities and broad technology solutions are unmatched in the industry and desperately needed by dealers across North America.

“I look forward to building on the strong foundation of partnership with KAR’s dealer base and working collaboratively with them to navigate the challenges and many opportunities ahead,” he added.

NIADA transition

Shaun Petersen, who is senior vice president of legal and government affairs, was selected unanimously by NIADA’s board to serve as interim executive vice president and head up day-to-day operations. That move was immediately effective.

NIADA’s board has also created a search committee to find its new CEO.

“This news was a shock, but not a surprise — someone of Steve’s caliber will always be in demand,” NIADA president Henry Mullinax said in Friday’s news release. “I know he will to be successful in whatever he pursues and will be an asset to any endeavor to which he lends his talents. Steve has left our association in great shape and in a growth mode.”

Jordan joined NIADA in 2009 as executive director of the affiliated Florida IADA. He became NIADA’s chief operating officer in 2011 before becoming executive vice president and CEO in 2013, replacing Mike Linn.

“To say that my tenure at NIADA has been one of the highlights of my professional career would be an understatement,” Jordan said in Friday’s news release. “I want to personally thank the NIADA board of directors, staff and our membership for the trust they bestowed on me as CEO. It has been an honor to serve the association in this way and I am humbled to have had the privilege.

“The association is in a great position for success moving forward and I am confident NIADA leadership and staff will keep the momentum going in service to our membership.”

He added: “Through the association, we made an indelible mark on the used vehicle industry by uniting the voice of the independent dealer in common purpose. Of course, I am proud of the numerous association accomplishments over the years, but the many friendships that were created along the way have been the most rewarding.”