Almost exactly nine months after a Mississippi tornado swept through its property and delivered a mighty punch, Mid-South Auction — which is part of the XLerate Group — is reopening its auction arena and debuting updated facilities on Jan. 27, while also introducing a new general manager.

Among the new amenities to the arena are drop ceilings designed to enhance lane acoustics, as well as a new cameras and software to give dealers a better online experience, too.

“In April, a tornado hit our Mid-South Auction and did extensive damage to the auction arena,” said Cam Hitchcock, XLerate’s chief executive officer. “We took the opportunity to not only rebuild the auction but also to build a completely new and upgraded arena.  Mid-South’s new arena will provide one the nicest auction environments in the region for our dealers in the South to buy and sell cars.” 

The tornado hit the auction on April 28 — one of dozens of tornados to impact the South that day, according to The Weather Channel — and caused significant damage. Not long after, then-general manager Bob Sullivan talked with Auto Remarketing about the rebuilding efforts.

Sullivan had led the auction the past three years and spearheaded the redesign and construction of the new arena. He is now in a senior operations role with XLerate, and Mississippi native Tim Brantley has stepped into the GM role.

So, in addition to showcasing their brand new arena, the auction is also introducing Brantley to the community during the event.

“Tim Brantley was born and raised in Mississippi. Prior to joining Mid-South, Brantley spent 38 years with numerous remarketing assignments with GMAC/Ally. With his relationships in the Mississippi auto dealer community and experience on the sell side of the remarketing industry, we were honored that he chose to join XLerate as our newest general manager,” said Darris McClure, president and chief operating officer of XLerate.

“Tim has worked closely with our former GM, Bob Sullivan, who led the redesign of the new auction arena as well as managed the construction process. Bob will now move forward with XLerate in a senior corporate operations role as VP — operations and best practices,” he added. “We want to thank Bob again for leading the auction over the last three years and especially during the challenges of rebuilding Mid-South.”

Scott Allen of Rogers-Dabbs Chevrolet in Brandon, Miss., is one of the auction’s dealers. He notes: “Tim Brantley is solid gold. I’ve known him for years and worked with him in Memphis. He is a man who does what he says he will do. I know Tim will bring Mid-South Auction back to its heyday — and then build it up from there!”

Brantley added: “I have been welcomed back to my home state with open arms by Mid-South Auction staff and dealers alike. I am grateful to come into such a skilled and bonded family of employees. This auction weathered the storm and came out stronger and closer than ever.

“You’ll feel an enhanced energy in our lanes and with our sale," he went on to say. "The hard work has paid off, and we have a brand new year to show you the new Mid-South Auction!”