FRANKLIN, Tenn. -

Auction Academy, which saw industry participation that exceeded first-year expectations, will start its second year off with a new president.

Pierre Pons, president and chief executive officer of TPC Management Co., which developed Auction Academy, announced that Richard Curtis will serve as president of the professional education program for the auto auction industry.

“The independent auction community demonstrated immediate enthusiasm for the level of training that Auction Academy provides,” Pons said. “With two full class groups already in progress (the Sons & Daughters & the Managers groups), each with a full two-year curriculum of quarterly sessions and other training programs in development, we felt it was important to have a dedicated management team in place.

“Richard brings years of operational experience in the auto auction sector, as well as being a great ambassador to all of our industry partners,” Pons said.   

“Over the past year I have been able to see Auction Academy grow from an idea to a reality and can confirm that the groundwork is in place for an even more robust program moving forward,” Curtis said. “This is a very unique and specialized program that gives participants detailed exposure to auction operations from all over the country, as well as provides learning experiences from within the class groups themselves.”

Curtis will be based at TPC Management’s headquarters in Franklin, Tenn., Pons noted, where he will continue his service as a company partner. Curtis has spent more than 30 years in the automotive industry, working with auctions, finance companies, insurance companies, investment firms, vehicle manufacturers, corporate fleets, commercial lessors, third party servicers, and e-commerce concerns.

The company said he will work closely on program curriculum and administration with Auction Academy chief operating officer Randall McCathren.

“It is s a privilege for me to work with someone of Richard Curtis’ caliber, as well as a tremendous benefit for Auction Academy itself,” said McCathren. “The strong relationships he has nurtured over the years, coupled with his understanding of the various facets of automotive remarketing, will help us build Auction Academy as well as to broaden the training it provides.”

Auction Academy, which is structured like an Executive MBA program, is a continuing education program for auction industry professionals, offering tracks for current and next-generation leaders. For more information, visit www.auctionacademy.net.