Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2026 Women in Remarketing honorees in the April edition of the magazine and will be posting Q&As with each of these outstanding leaders on the website.  Next up, in alphabetical order by first name, is Joni Allen, who is vice president/operations manager at Lehigh Valley Auto Auction.

The Women in Remarketing program is presented by Ally.

What prompted/inspired you to join the auto industry and what do you enjoy most about it?
Remarketing is truly in my blood. My father, Jerry Mekolichick, founded Lehigh Valley Auto Auction in 1992, and I grew up watching him build the business. Being around the auction from a young age allowed me to see how every part of the operation works together — from dealer registration and marketing to title work, lot operations and auction day itself.

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to work in many of those roles myself, which gave me a deep appreciation for how the entire auction ecosystem functions and how important each piece is to the overall experience for buyers and sellers.

What I enjoy most about the industry is that it’s always evolving. Today I have the opportunity to combine that hands-on experience with new technologies, including AI-driven tools that help us improve transparency, efficiency and accuracy.

Being able to build on the foundation my father created while helping move the auction forward into the next generation of remarketing is something I find incredibly rewarding.


What is the top trend you’re watching in the used-car industry this year?
One of the most important trends I’m watching is how AI and better vehicle data are transforming remarketing. For years the industry focused primarily on price discovery, but today buyers are looking for deeper insights into vehicle condition and history before they make a purchase decision. Tools that provide clearer condition reporting and better data are becoming essential.

At Lehigh Valley Auto Auction we’ve been working to incorporate technologies that enhance transparency and help reduce uncertainty for buyers. This includes consistent condition reporting as well as newer AI-driven tools like AutoSonix, which analyzes mechanical sound and other signals to provide additional insight into vehicle condition.

AI has been a great equalizer in many ways. It gives auctions tools that help combine industry experience with data-driven insights, which can improve accuracy, reduce friction and create more confidence in the buying process. For years the industry focused on price discovery — now we’re entering an era of condition discovery.

What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
One of the things I’m most proud of is being part of a family business that has grown and evolved alongside the remarketing industry.

Lehigh Valley Auto Auction opened in 1992, and over the years I’ve had the opportunity to work in many areas of the operation. That experience gave me a strong understanding of how every part of the auction works together to create a successful marketplace for dealers.

Today I’m proud of how we continue to evolve while maintaining the values the auction was built on. We’ve expanded our capabilities with a strong digital marketing presence reaching more than 50,000 social media followers, a dedicated digital marketing team and a dealer title service center that supports our customers beyond just auction day.

Continuing to build on the foundation my father created while bringing new technology and tools into the auction experience is something I’m very proud to be part of.

What book, film or song has inspired you personally or professionally?
I try to approach both business and life with a focus on integrity and treating people fairly. In an industry built on relationships and trust, those values are incredibly important. Much of that perspective has been shaped by the teachings found in the Bible.

Who is someone who has inspired you personally or professionally?
The person who has inspired me the most professionally is my father, Jerry Mekolichick. Growing up around the auction gave me a unique opportunity to watch him build Lehigh Valley Auto Auction from the ground up. I was able to see firsthand how every part of the business works together — from dealer relationships and marketing to title work, lot operations and auction day itself.

Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the industry and the people who make it work.

He also taught me that reputation and relationships are everything in this business. Treating people fairly, honoring your commitments and building trust over time is what creates long-term success. Being able to work alongside him and help continue what he built has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career.