CARY, N.C. -

Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2021 Women in Remarketing honorees in the March issue of the magazine, and will be posting Q&As with each of these outstanding leaders on the website.

Next up is Laura Thacker, who is CFO at Bel Air Auto Auction.

Auto Remarketing: What do you enjoy most about working in the remarketing industry? But, also, what aspect(s) of the business would you change — and how?

Laura Thacker: As I am sure most would answer, the best day in this industry is “Sale Day!” There is a hustle/bustle, “live action” atmosphere charge to the staff. 

Working in the accounting department, presently what I am enjoying is the numbers, of course.  Over the years, I have seen more sellers paid electronically and now we have more paid that way than by check. 

At the end of the day, and every day, I am releasing the ACHs and wires, and tracking these amounts tie to our software reports.

As far as an aspect of the business to change, I believe this industry ebbs and flows, and evolves, quite fine.

AR: What are some improvements that need to be made in the industry from a diversity and inclusion perspective? What are some examples you’ve seen of D&I programs that have worked?

LT: Again, I believe, at least from my experience with our auctions, we do not have an issue with diversity or inclusion, so I can’t speak to that question.

AR: Describe a time when you were either a mentor or a mentee, and how that has shaped your career.

LT: With my staff, I don’t hold anything back.  If they are doing a job, I tell them all they need to know, and grow.  My perspective is it helps me in the long run, the company and them.  I can only guess it has shaped my career, by getting the job done, and being a team player.

AR: Describe a time in your career where you were challenged and how you overcame that challenge.

LT: In the accounting field, changing banks can be a challenge. Especially in this era of online banking. When we changed banks a couple years ago, I would say that was a challenge. I overcame it by learning a piece of their online program each day/week over a period of a few months.

AR: What is the top trend/storyline in the remarketing industry that you’re watching this year?

LT: COVID has had a huge impact to all industries. We are watching when we can have full capacity in the lanes, and office areas again.  We are debating the driving the cars through the lane vs not.

AR: What is something you would tell your younger self if you could go back to when you started your career in remarketing?

LT: I am a proponent for data analysis, so I would have liked to start databases earlier.