FRANKLIN, Tenn. -

ServNet president Jeff Brasher revealed the network strengthened its Midwest presence with the addition of Plaza Auto Auction in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

Plaza Auto Auction has been in business for 49 years, and ServNet believes the operation has distinguished itself in its market as the largest evening sale in the Midwest, holding an auction on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Officials pointed out the auction offers more than 500 vehicles for sale weekly, across five auction lanes with monthly specialty sales for trucks and motorsports.

Along with consignments from franchise and independent dealers throughout the Midwest, Plaza AA features vehicles from a number of regional and national fleet/lease and repo accounts, including PHH, Flexco Fleet Services, Emkay, Veridian Credit Union, Avis/Budget, Remarketing Solutions, Enterprise and Fleet/Lease Disposal.

“I am very pleased to welcome Plaza Auto Auction as ServNet’s newest member,” highlighted Brasher, who along with ServNet chief executive officer Pierre Pons, made the formal announcement during the recent National Auto Auction Association/CAR event in Las Vegas.

“Plaza Auto Auction is a leader in its region and has long been marked by its commitment to excellence and focus on customer service,” he continued. “With his background in the industry and his innovative approach to the auction business, owner Mark Greb will be a strong contributor to the ServNet owners’ discussions.

“We look forward to working with him as we expand ServNet’s presence in the Midwest and further strengthen its position as a leader in the national marketplace,” Brasher added.

ServNet noted Greb is a long-time auction industry veteran, having worked at both ADT and Manheim before acquiring Plaza AA in June 2003. Greb is a past president of the Midwest Auto Auction Association and currently serves on the NAAA member standards committee.

A licensed auctioneer, ServNet mentioned that Greb takes the block every week to call the sale. Since purchasing Plaza AA, he has overseen upgrades to both the physical site and to the growing use of Internet channels for remarketing vehicles.

Plaza AA is the only auction in the state of Iowa partnered with the OVE.com, officials claimed.

“We are honored to take our place beside the other auctions in the ServNet group,” Greb shared.

“We have watched ServNet grow in both number and influence for a number of years and have admired its participation and leadership in the industry,” he went on to say. “National consignors realize tremendous benefits in working with ServNet auctions, which provide a consistency of service and commitment to excellence from coast to coast. We are pleased to extend that level of service to the market in Iowa.”

With the addition of Plaza AA, ServNet now includes 26 auction locations in the U.S.

ServNet Heads to Dallas in April for Meet the Owners Event

In other ServNet news, Brasher indicated auction owners and ServNet’s executive team will make their annual spring trip to Dallas to visit with national remarketers, holding its next Meet the Owners event on April 19 and 20.

ServNet indicated this is its fourth trip to the Dallas area in as many years and is part of a series of events planned throughout the year to strengthen relationships between ServNet auctions and remarketers around the country.

“ServNet’s Meet the Owners events have set a new standard in the industry over the past four years,” Brasher stressed.

“It is important to build on the relationships that are vital to our business, particularly as we navigate a challenging market,” he explained. “At our Meet the Owners events, portfolio managers, risk managers and industry executives will have the opportunity to meet directly with the owners and CEOs of auctions that have withstood challenging economic times and continue to thrive because of the experience, strength, and integrity that have marked them as leaders in the industry for decades.”

Brasher also highlighted that this year’s Meet the Owners luncheon will follow a different format than previous years’ events and will include a guest speaker.

“We’re very pleased to announce that Nolan Ryan, a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, will be our featured guest speaker,” Brasher announced.

“Considered one of the best pitchers of all time, he played for a record-setting 27 years, and many of his pitching records still stand,” Brasher went on to say. “With a blazing fastball, amazing durability and tremendous leadership, Ryan has served as a role model for players and mainstream America alike. We’re looking forward to hearing from a genuine American hero.”