Wednesday marked several milestones for industry leaders during the 2025 NAAA World Remarketing Convention in Kansas City, Mo.

The National Auto Auction Association added its newest Hall of Famer and honored two more Industry Pioneers. NAAA also installed its new president and highlighted a charity donation given in honor of the outgoing president.

NAAA recapped that its Industry Pioneer Award is given to individuals who:

—Have worked in the wholesale auto auction industry

—Have innovated or enhanced methods of improving services to remarketers through NAAA member auctions

—Have championed NAAA member auctions as providing services for motor vehicle remarketers unavailable from any other source

—Have consistently followed the high standards of the industry’s code of ethics

One of the Industry Pioneer Award recipients was Henry Stanley, whose distinguished career in the wholesale auto auction industry spans five decades, and he has been behind the block for more than one million vehicle sales.

Stanley began his auction career in 1960, starting as a ringman at Capital Auto Auction in Columbus, Ohio. He worked his way up to become an auctioneer, exemplifying grit from day one.

In 1969, Stanley bought the auction and rebranded it as Ohio Auto Auction.

In 1987, Henry and his wife, Patty, stepped away — retiring to Florida. But a year later, they bought a three-lane facility in South Carolina and gave it new life as Carolina Auto Auction.

Stanley served as NAAA president in 2000, championing improved internet communications and standardized forms. Alongside Patty, he helped establish scholarships through the NAAA Warren Young Sr. Scholastic Foundation and supported Auction Academy, helping to train the next wave of auction leaders.

In 2013, Henry Stanley was inducted into the NAAA Hall of Fame — with Patty following in 2016, making the duo the first husband-and-wife team to be so honored.

“Henry’s story isn’t just about vehicles — it’s also one of resilience,” NAAA said.

After a melanoma diagnosis in 2016 cost him his vocal chords, Henry Stanley battled back — with support from Winship Cancer Institute of Emory — and in 2017, he and the Stanley-Autenrieth Auction Group launched a multi-day charity fundraiser that has raised more than $1 million for cancer research.

“NAAA congratulates Henry Stanley on becoming a 2025 Industry Pioneer Award recipient,” the association said.

Also honored as an Industry Pioneer was Mike Broe.

Broe started in the auction business in 1987 as the finance manager for General Electric Auction Group. Manheim later acquired GE.

Broe went on to have a 23-year career at Manheim, serving in roles ranging from assistant general manager, general manager, and regional vice president at the auction level all the way up to executive vice president of operations at Manheim’s corporate office.

In 2011, Mike joined AutoIMS as CEO where he served until 2018.

In addition to his accomplished careers with Manheim and AutoIMS, Broe also gave back to the industry and served on several NAAA committees including the finance committee and executive Committee.

“Mike was widely recognized throughout his career for creating strong company cultures and providing excellent customer service,” NAAA said. “NAAA congratulates Mike Broe on becoming a 2025 Industry Pioneer Award recipient.”

Pons inducted into NAAA Hall of Fame

This year’s World Remarketing Convention also included Pierre Pons being inducted into the NAAA Hall of Fame.

Membership in the NAAA Hall of Fame, established in 1968, recognizes individuals whose long-term service to the auto auction industry and NAAA has contributed improvements to remarketing, has worked with NAAA to benefit its members, and has consistently followed the high standards of the association’s code of ethics.

NAAA represents more than 340 auction members and 140 associate members in North America.

Pons is founder and president of TPC Management Co., and his automotive industry career spans more than three decades.

Pons’ career includes roles such as vehicle remarketing assignments with US Fleet Leasing and Wheels, sales executive management and remarketing administration with ADT Automotive, executive management positions with Greater Auction Group and BSC America, and CEO of ServNet Auctions.

In 1996, Pons founded TPC Management, which serves various automotive industry segments including auctions, automotive finance, insurance, investment firms, vehicle manufacturers, corporate fleets, commercial lessors, third-party servicers, and IT/e- commerce providers.

In addition to his consulting work, Pons is also an active presenter at automotive industry events and is active in a variety of trade associations such as the NAAA. Pons served as a board member for the Automotive Remarketing Alliance (ARA) for several terms and chaired ARA’s ethics committee.

Pons is also the founder and CEO of Auction Academy, a continuing education program for auto auction industry professionals.

“The NAAA congratulates Pierre Pons, a longtime supporter and champion of the association, on becoming the newest inductee into the Hall of Fame,” NAAA said.

Lafferty officially becomes NAAA president

In other convention activities, Eddie Lafferty was installed as president of NAAA for the 2025-2026 term. He became president during a passing of the gavel ceremony from outgoing NAAA president Craig Amelung.

Lafferty has had a successful 37-year career in the automotive industry and began his career in retail working in the sales, finance, and service departments for several auto dealerships in the state of Washington.

Lafferty transitioned over to the wholesale side of the business in 2008 when he joined Manheim, starting in a client services role, and then in 2013 he was promoted to assistant general manager of Manheim Seattle.

In 2015, Lafferty became general manager of Manheim Nevada and then transitioned back in 2019 to Manheim Seattle to be general manager, the position he currently holds today.

Lafferty has been a longtime supporter of NAAA and currently serves on NAAA’s Education and Training Committee. He has also been involved with the Automotive Remarketing Alliance (ARA), Washington State Independent Auto Dealers Association (WSIADA), and Washington State Auto Dealers Association (WSADA).

“Eddie has spent the last year traveling alongside outgoing NAAA president Craig Amelung and vice president, now president-elect Tommy Rogers visiting members and forging new industry relationships while strengthening existing ones,” NAAA said.

AutoIMS makes donation on behalf of Amelung

AutoIMS is donating $5,000 in honor of outgoing NAAA president Craig Amelung to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE).

In 2020, AutoIMS CEO Venkat Krishnamoorthy started the tradition of making a contribution to charity on behalf of the outgoing NAAA president to promote the auction community’s giving spirit and to recognize the hard work and dedication of the outgoing NAAA president.

With the program now in its sixth year, AutoIMS in recent years has donated to charities such as Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and Interval House for Domestic Violence.

Based in McLean, Va., FARE is a leading nonprofit organization that empowers food allergy patients across their journey of managing the disease. The organization focuses on three strategic pillars of research, education, and advocacy.

AutoIMS announced the donation in conjunction with the World Remarketing Convention as Amelung concluded his duties as NAAA president.