ORLANDO, Fla. -

The National Auto Auction Association has elected a vice president for the 2012–2013 term, and chosen for the post is Ellie Johnson.

Johnson — the general manager of Manheim North Carolina in Kenly, N.C. — was elected at last week’s NAAA Conference.

“It has been my pleasure to be a part of NAAA for over a decade and while I feel I’ve been able to contribute in my past capacities, I believe I can do considerably more serving on the executive board,” Johnson said. “I’m grateful to the members for their vote of confidence in me by electing me to this position. I truly look forward to serving them as their vice president.”

NAAA said that legislative advocacy will be a prime emphasis of Johnson in her vice presidential post.

“We’re already seeing the value of strength in numbers in the recent positive results of our advocacy efforts,” Johnson noted. “Cooperation between corporate and independent auctions is key to our ongoing success. I am committed to working together to be a strong voice on the issues that can impact our members.”

Explaining her advocacy agenda in more detail, NAAA said it would include, for example, efforts to adopt a uniform title system. The purpose of this system would be to streamline processes and help auctions foster more efficient, cost-effective operations, the association said.

Additionally, Johnson aims to help NAAA auctions stay current on technology for improving management, sales, service and customer satisfaction.

More on Johnson’s Background

The Manheim North Carolina GM has a deep background in the business, having grown up the daughter of an auctioneer. Her father, Kenneth Aycock, launched Aycock Auto Auction in 1984 after having worked as an auctioneer for decades.

The auction became Manheim North Carolina, where Johnson took on the role as GM 15 years ago.

(Auto Remarketing took a trip to Manheim North Carolina earlier this year and spotlighted the auction in a feature about dealer activity in the wholesale lanes.)

Johnson has been a member NAAA’s Southern Chapter’s board of directors and has served as the chapter’s president, vice president and treasurer. Also, she has now been on NAAA’s membership committee for more than 10 years.

Outside of NAAA, Johnson has been a member of the Carolinas Independent Automobile Dealers Association and the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association.

NIADA has given its Eagle Award to Johnson twice, recognizing her for outstanding achievement in membership development.