It didn’t take long for the auction business to capture Kay Hudson’s attention.

“After my first auction sale, I was hooked: the pace, sale day excitement, the energy,” Hudson said. “It was incredible and I wanted to do more.”

To say Hudson did more would be an incredible understatement.

Having worked 13 years with a major restaurant chain and finding further growth potential there “limited,” Hudson decided to apply for a part-time sales clerk position at Chattanooga Auto Auction upon the suggestion of one of her brothers.

Turned out to be an apt move: she spent a dozen years at the auction, moving up through the ranks and getting a range of experience along the way — in human resources, as general operations manager, as fleet/lease manager.

Then Hudson turned to CARS Recon and forged a similar path there. Hired as the HR director, she advanced through all levels of the company en route to her current post as chief operating officer.

“In order to become a leader, I would tell someone to learn everything you can — and get dirty. Learn how each step of the remarketing affects the next step,” said Hudson, a 2016 Women in Remarketing honoree.  

“Never stop learning and growing within your field; continue to push yourself out of your comfort zone,” Hudson added. “Always remember to appreciate what others do every day, and to say ‘Thank You.’

“Some of the most rewarding opportunities have been to travel and see the auto industry in other countries and learn how remarketing may have its differences,” she continued. “I have made some dear friends in the UK and in New Zealand I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to meet without my involvement with the auto industry.”

And her love of travel goes beyond work life. Hudson says, “My joy outside of work is traveling; and even with all the travel I do for work, taking family and friends remains such a thrill. The memories and experiences I have shared with them will last me a lifetime. “

When it comes to problem-solving, you might think of Hudson’s strategy like putting together a puzzle — or better yet, rebuilding a classic car.

“Problem-solving for me is tearing the problem apart, looking at each step, and then putting it back together again with specific goals, actions, results, and accountability,” she said.

As for what drives her to reach such high accomplishments, Hudson said: “My inspiration stems from some of the legends in the industry who I am fortunate to work with, and line associates who are working every day in our shops.

“I know how hard they work, and they inspire me to work harder to provide them with a safe and enjoyable work environment; and a job that offers them and their families the opportunities that I have been fortunate to have been given,” she said.

Check out the April 15 edition of Auto Remarketing to learn more about the entire class of 2016 Women in Remarketing honorees.

These outstanding leaders will be honored at Used Car Week 2016, where we will be launching our National Remarketing Conference partnership with the National Auto Auction Association.

Used Car Week is scheduled for Nov. 14-18 at the Red Rock in Las Vegas.