At its 71st annual convention last week in Indianapolis, the National Auto Auction Association bestowed a bevy of award honorees, including its auction of the year and two NAAA Hall of Fame inductions.
Starting with the association’s Auto Auction of the Year for Excellence in Community Service, that honor went to DAA Northwest.
In a news release, NAAA said it was chosen for “its outstanding efforts to address the domestic violence, abuse, homelessness, hunger, school absenteeism, achievement gap, and other issues afflicting the children of its historically impoverished community.”
DAA Northwest was one of four regional finalists. Others included ADESA Boston (Eastern), Columbus Fair Auto Auction (Midwest) and Louisiana’s 1st Choice Auto Auction (Southern).
As the auction of the year, DAA Northwest receives a $20,000 check payable to the charity of its choice as well as a crystal trophy, and it will be on the On the Block magazine and NAAA 2020 Membership Directory covers.
Next up, NAAA inducted two industry leaders into its Hall of Fame: KAR Global chairman and chief executive officer Jim Hallett as well as Ellie Johnson, who is the general manager of Manheim Statesville and a former president of the association.
NAAA Hall of Fame honors are bestowed upon those “whose long-term service to the auto auction industry and NAAA has contributed improvements to remarketing as a whole, has worked with the trade organization to benefit its members and has consistently followed the high standards of the association’s Code of Ethics,” the association said.
NAAA spotlighted Hallett for “his vision, entrepreneurship and willingness to help advance and improve the industry,” while recognizing Johnson for “her dedicated service to NAAA, the industry and her community.”
Jeff Barber, who is the president and owner of State Line Auto Auction, was recognized with the Industry Pioneer Award, based on his achievements of “successfully integrating innovative business developments and modern safety measures with a welcoming workplace environment and traditional family owned operation,” NAAA said.
Meanwhile, there were two Bernie Hart Memorial Auctioneer Awards for 2019: Joseph Mast, who won the 2011 International Auctioneer Championship and later appeared as an auctioneering grocery store clerk in a GEICO commercial; and Andy White, who is one of two auctioneers who has earned the so-called “Triple Crown” of his business: the International Auctioneer Championship (in 2013), the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (2016) and the World Automobile Auctioneer Championship (2017).
Source : AutoFinanceNews
