ORLANDO, Fla. and ARLINGTON, Texas -

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association recently named its choice for the 2012 Auto Auction of the Year award.

Announced as the honoree by NIADA was Brasher’s Northwest Auto Auction of Eugene, Ore., in a ceremony held during the National Auto Auction Association Convention held in Orlando, Fla., last week.

Steve Jordan, NIADA chief operating officer, presented the award to Mark Melton, the auction’s general sales manager, on behalf of the Brasher’s team.

“This year’s Auto Auction of the Year has a proven record of business excellence, industry involvement, community service and has shown a real heart for taking care of their own employees and families,” said Jordan, “which truly sets this year’s winner apart from the crowd.”

In making the award announcement, NIADA noted that Brasher’s ownership and management team has deep experience with NAAA, NIADA, ServNet, the Independent Auction Group, the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance and the Oregon Independent Automobile Dealers Association.

In 2011, Brasher’s received the Regional Auction of the Year Award from ARI, an award it has won seven times since 1999. Also, the auction was named the 2011 Specialty Auction of the Year for US Bank.

NIADA also noted that Brasher’s financially supports the American Cancer Society, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and several local food banks. Since 2007, Brasher’s Northwest Auto Auction has also sponsored an annual golf challenge to benefit spina bifida patient Natasha Melton, the 12-year-old daughter of GSM Melton.

In all, the annual golf challenge has raised more than $110,000 to help the Melton family defray medical expenses.