Since its inception, Auction Academy has benefited from the support of commercial consignors and national account executives who share their expertise with Academy students, providing insight into the strategies and operations shaping automotive remarketing. Over the program’s 15-year history, these relationships have become an important part of the Academy’s educational experience.

Among those leaders is Brent Huisman, executive vice president of loan servicing at Exeter Finance, whose longstanding involvement has helped connect Academy students with the commercial consignor perspective.

“Brent was one of the first consignor executives to step forward and share his time with our students during our Dallas-area sessions,” said Pierre Pons, CEO and co-founder of Auction Academy. “His commitment began in previous remarketing leadership roles and has continued during his tenure at Exeter. He understands the importance of giving emerging leaders access to perspectives and relationships they might not otherwise encounter.”

Pons reports that Huisman has extended that commitment beyond his regular presentations at Auction Academy sessions by encouraging other Exeter Finance remarketing professionals to enroll as students in Auction Academy. His colleagues from Exeter Finance have been the first students from the commercial consignor sector to participate in Auction Academy classes, and have done so since  2023, with enrollments in Classes 8, 9 and now Class 10, the newest group which will begin its two-year course of study in February of 2027.

“I commend Brent for recognizing the value of investing in his team’s development through this experience,” Pons added. “Not only do they learn how the auction side of the business operates, but they build relationships across the industry, which provides lasting benefits. Their participation as students brings commercial consignor perspectives directly into the classroom alongside auction operators, service providers and others working in the remarketing industry.”

“The support Auction Academy has received from the national account community has been instrumental in the continued growth and success of our program,” said Penny Wanna, president of Auction Academy. “Industry leaders from Holman, including Jim Jackson, Chris Clarke and Holly Vollant, have contributed their time and expertise to multiple classes since our early years.

“We have also benefited from the continued involvement of Dave Woods with Harley-Davidson; Scott Mousaw formally with UAC, now Lendbuzz; Jackie Malik with Credit Acceptance; Travis Deaver with Meridian Remarketing and many others who have generously invested in the education of our students.”

“What makes Brent’s commitment particularly significant is his recognition of the value in having commercial consignor representatives participate as students themselves,” Wanna continues. “With Exeter Finance joining our classrooms in recent years, we have seen firsthand how that participation strengthens the learning experience for everyone. Today, our classrooms bring together professionals from across the remarketing industry to learn alongside one another, exchange perspectives and build relationships that extend well beyond graduation. That is exactly the kind of collaboration Auction Academy was designed to foster.”

Wanna notes that registration is still open for Class 10, although enrollment is filling up quickly. Those interested in the two-year program are urged to visit auctionacademy.net for registration and schedule information.

Auction Academy is a two-year continuing education program developed by TPC Management Company (TPC) for professionals in the auto auction industry. Auction Academy provides training and development experience structured like an Executive MBA program. With faculty drawn from expert practitioners around the country, Auction Academy’s programs are designed to enhance essential skill sets, promote best practices and yield better auction performance. The curriculum includes site visits, field trips, technical certifications and work with industry experts in all areas of auto auction operations.

For additional information about Auction Academy, contact Penny Wanna by telephone: (615) 517-0673; or by email:  [email protected], or visit the web site auctionacademy.net