The Greater Rockford Auto Auction announced recently that it has hired a new national sales manager. Formerly the general manager of Manheim New Mexico, John Smith takes on the new role along with the responsibilities of overseeing sales and marketing efforts at the auction.

Smith has 22 years of auction experience, now coming back to the auction business after leaving Manheim in 2011. Before joining GRAA, Smith went on to own an AAMCO transmission shop and partnered with an independent dealership in Albuquerque.

“We are excited to add John to our team at the Greater Rockford Auto Auction,” said Chad Anderson, the auction’s general manager. “John’s experience, understanding of the industry, and drive for the auction business complement our strategy well. We look forward to his involvement as we grow the auction and reinvest in the business with enhancements such as our new state of (the) art 10,000 square foot reconditioning facility set to open this April as well as our upcoming complete remodeling and enhancement of our auction lanes.”

In other auction news, the Plaza Auto Auction of Iowa announced recently its plans for its first Powersports Sale of the Year on March 25. Mark Greb, the auction’s owner, hopes the warming weather will coincide with the theme of the event.

“Our first Powersports Sale of 2015 is shaping up to be a fantastic event,” Greb said. “We’re expecting well over 125 units, including (a) group of 20 Harley Davidsons that are sure to catch the attention of everyone attending the sale. We’ll also have a great group of RVs, motor homes, four wheelers, and boats, and there’s even a race car in the mix.”

The sale will begin at 5:30 p.m. that Wednesday, an hour before the auction’s regular consignment sale. The auction reports that all units will cross the blocks during the event.

“We check the slide-outs on the campers, test the generators, and write up condition reports on every unit,” Greb said. “Dealers come to our Powersports sale from all over the Midwest, because they know we have a great selection, and they have confidence in both the quality of our inventory and in (the) level of service they receive here at Plaza Auto Auction of Iowa.”

More information can be found on the auction’s website.