Sloan to Succeed Cizek at Chicago Dealer Association

CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) has named David Sloan to succeed Jerry Cizek as president of the dealer group following Cizek's retirement from the position he has held since 1988. The change takes place January 1, 2010.

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"We were extremely fortunate to have such a strong candidate in Dave to follow in what are clearly big footprints," said Kevin Mize, chairman of the organization representing the franchised new-car dealers in greater Chicagoland and producer of the annual Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. "While Jerry has been an integral part of this group for the past 36 years, previous boards of directors planned well for our future by grooming Dave for the position in his role as Executive Vice President for the past 16 years. I can't imagine that we could have had a more positive and productive scenario for a change of command."

Sloan, 45, was recruited to the CATA from Golin Harris Communications in 1993. Previous to Golin Harris, he spent six years on the public relations staff of General Motors Corp. A graduate of Michigan State University, Sloan and his wife, Melissa, have three children and live in Wilmette, Ill.

"Dave brings 16 years of CATA industry knowledge and leadership at a critical time in our volatile industry which is at a crossroads of dramatic change," said Chairman Mize. "His experience and creative energy will help lead our dealers to become an even stronger association in the future."

Cizek joined the CATA in 1973 after graduation from the business school of Bradley University and working at his grandfather's automobile dealership. He started with the CATA as a field representative and ultimately became its president with the group setting the standard for automotive associations nationwide. He was instrumental in the formation of the Illinois Attorney General's Advertising Regulations for dealers, the Secretary of State's Advisory Board and forging a strong partnership between the dealer group and the Better Business Bureau. Cizek also served as chairman of the Civic Federation of Chicago and is a recipient of the BBB's highest honor, the Torch Bearer Award.

"Jerry Cizek will continue to be held in the highest esteem and will serve as co-general manager of the Chicago Auto Show along with Dave for the upcoming show," added Mize. "We are very pleased that Jerry will stay on through June of 2010 to lend his wealth of experience and assurance for a smooth transition."

The CATA is the nation's oldest and biggest metropolitan dealer association. The group has produced the annual Chicago Auto Show--now staged at McCormick Place--since 1935.

For high resolution photographs of David Sloan and Jerry Cizek, please go to:

http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/media/onlinenewsroom/images/index.asp?F_GAL LERY_ID=158

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PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com