American Recovery Association (ARA), the world’s largest association of recovery and remarketing professionals, announced Aug. 10 it has hired Tony Long as its new executive director.

Long started his new position on Aug. 13, just in time for the North American Repossessors Summit (NARS) 2024 initial planning meeting. 

“ARA’s selection of Tony Long is the result of a nationwide search conducted by an incredible search committee with the assistance of a national recruiting firm based in Dallas,” said Vaughn Clemmons, ARA President, in a news release. “While the competition was fierce, we are pleased with the results and eagerly anticipate Tony’s leadership and wealth of experience to help take ARA to the next level.” 

First chartered on July 22, 1965, the Dallas, Texas-based American Recovery Association (ARA) is a membership organization made up of more than 260 repossession business owners providing service from more than 500 locations to more than 27,000 national and international cities.

As a veteran of the auto auction industry, Long spent nearly 20 years of his early career managing commercial accounts and becoming the general manager of his family’s wholesale auto auction.

After a successful four-year period of establishing dealer partnerships for a major subprime lender, Long became the executive director of the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA). During a near decade-long tenure, that association experienced record growth in membership, conference attendance, and capital assets.

Long is also the former president of both the Southern Auto Auction Association and the National Auto Auction Association. He was the first president of the Warren Young Scholastic Foundation and was named a WYSF Fellow by the NAAA. The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association also named him to its prestigious Ring of Honor, the organization’s highest recognition presented to a non-dealer industry member. 

“I am honored to join the dynamic team at ARA,” Long said. “I look forward to building upon ARA’s years of exceptional leadership and it’s remarkable legacy – leading the association forward in growth, strategic partnerships, and more offerings for its members.”