A wide array of wholesale industry news developed in recent days, including a new philanthropic award handed out by Cox Automotive, a milestone at Dealers Auto Auction of the Southwest and a leadership change at EPI El Paso.

During the accolade-filled luncheon at the National Remarketing Conference, Cox Automotive presented its inaugural Community Impact Award to Joey Huang of Great Lakes Auto of Ashtabula, Ohio. Presented by Grace Huang, senior vice president of inventory services at Manheim, this award recognizes a remarketing industry leader for their outstanding contributions to their community and the innovative ways they collaborate with community partners to help further their missions and shape better communities.

“Community service and inspiring others to shape a better world has long been a part of our culture,” Grace Huang said. “I’d like to congratulate Joey for embodying these principles and for demonstrating how every person, every organization, every day can make a difference when it comes to serving their community.”

Joey Huang, owner of Great Lakes Auto, was honored by Cox Automotive for distinguishing himself in outstanding service to his community. Top among his many accomplishments was the creation of a program throughout his dealership network that helped raise more than $200,000 for local schools during the past four years.

As chairman of Hyundai Motor’s Hope on Wheels charity, Huang partnered with Cleveland area Hyundai dealers to raise $50,000 for the Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital to benefit pediatric cancer research.

In addition to his fundraising efforts, Huang has offered his time to numerous civic and industry organizations over the years, including the Ashtabula County YMCA where he serves as a member of its board of directors and helps guide facility improvements.

“I am honored to be the first recipient of the Cox Automotive Community Impact Award and to be recognized for creating positive change in my community,” Joey Huang said.

For his leadership and commitment to making a difference through community service, Huang will receive a $10,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

“This will allow us to continue doing the things we are passionate about not only at our dealerships, but throughout our community,” Joey Huang added.

Anniversary in Arizona

Dealers Auto Auction of the Southwest general manager Stephanie Gingras recapped how the operation recently celebrated its 13th year with an anniversary month of sales in October, culminating in a Halloween event marked by 700 vehicles crossing the block and a 70-percent sale.

“Since DAA Southwest was opened 13 years ago, we’ve not only grown to lead our market niche but have set a new standard with innovation and efficiency,” Gingras said.

“To mark this year’s anniversary, we focused on thanking our customers for their years of loyalty and support and had a great time doing it with a Halloween costume party and an exciting prize giveaway, sending one of our great buyers home with a Nissan sedan,” she continued

Gingras noted that all customers buying vehicles at DAA of the Southwest during the month of October qualified for the grand prize giveaway.

“We haven’t become number one in our market without a heavy dose of superior customer service,” said auction vice president and past NAAA president Jim DesRochers.

“We have worked hard and successfully to identify buyers who target our specific market niche, and we’ve made those buyers regular auction customers by providing them with all the technology and mobile tools they need to easily and efficiently access all of our services,” DesRochers continued.

Technology features available to DAA of the Southwest’s customers include:

— The DAASW mobile app with integrated digital bidder badge
— Customer online access to account information via the mobile app and auction website
— 100 percent simulcast of every consigned vehicle at every sale
— Direct access to key auction personnel via mobile technology
— Seamless wireless uploads via iPad of all condition reports, images and videos for every consigned unit in every sale

“Our 360 Degree Customer Service Program has changed the way business is handled at DAA of the Southwest,” Gingras said. “Including CARFAX Transparent Transactions, Mexico Ready and digital bidder badges, along with direct access to all areas of our staff and management, our 360 Customer Service tools are all DAASW.com and .MX's proprietary products that you won't see at any other auction.”

In addition to technological enhancements, the auction has also noted steady increases in vehicle volume over the past 12 months, resulting in the opening of a sixth auction lane in January. Gingras explained that increases in consignment volume from both the repo and dealer segments of the market prompted the sale-day expansion.

“DAA of the Southwest provides the best market for buying and selling vehicles in the region, and has the customer service programs to make the process as efficient and convenient as possible,” Gingras said.

“We’re proud of the advancements we’ve made over the past 13 years, and look forward to continued growth, success and innovation in the years ahead,” she went on to say.

EPI El Paso names general manager

Auction president Bob McConkey and general manager Lori Pidgeon shared this news with El Paso customers during the auction’s Touchdown Drive promotional event sale: in a move that was effective last week, Pidgeon transitions from EPI’s general manager into a new role with the McConkey Auction Group.

Luke Pidgeon, who has served as EPI El Paso’s assistant general manager since 2013, assumes the role of general manager.

“Lori came to us with over 20 years of auction experience, and she has done an outstanding job of building a solid team in El Paso,” McConkey said. “As a member of that team, Luke has earned the upmost respect of EPI’s staff and customers; he possesses the knowledge and leadership skills to build upon the legacy that Lori has established.

“We congratulate Lori on her success and we are thrilled to keep her on our team as her role evolves,” McConkey added.

While eager to return to the Pacific Northwest, the operation acknowledged Lori Pidgeon departure from El Paso is bittersweet.

“The past five years have been extremely rewarding, both professionally and personally,” she said. “It was a privilege to guide a team of hard working, caring employees in developing a solid footprint in El Paso.”

Lori Pidgeon’s new position with the McConkey Auction Group will include working on special projects, human resources and more for all four MAG locations. She will be based in Portland, Ore.