Megan Tucker began working for America’s Auto Auction Greenville in South Carolina as a part-time office clerk in 2007. She also helped with some of the auction’s marketing activities, using her training as a graphic arts student at School of Communication Arts in Raleigh, N.C.
She went on to handle the marketing for all of America’s Auto Auction locations, which numbered six at the time.
“Tucker’s responsibilities have exploded since then,” America’s Auto Auction said in a news release. She now manages graphic design, web marketing, social media broadcasting and digital and print production for internal and external marketing collateral, overseeing a team of four.
On Thursday, America’s Auto Auction named Tucker the recipient of its Spotlight Award for the month of May. As national graphics/web marketing manager, she directs brand awareness and marketing strategies for the company and its 23 auto auction locations.
“Megan works behind the scenes but plays a critical role in maintaining America’s brand and ensuring the effective communication of our message to our customers,” said America’s national sales director Tammy Swofford.
Swofford also said, “She puts her heart and soul into her work, and the entire company relies on her for everything from email blasts to graphics and design for our print and digital media. She’s always on point and always delivers, on time and with sincere passion for the work, and for America’s and our 23 auction locations.”
Tucker said the importance of strong marketing and communication became even more evident during the pandemic.
“In the midst of all that chaos, when attendance at the auction was restricted, America’s Auto Auction stayed focused on the importance of reaching out to our customers,” Tucker said.
Tucker went on to say, “The marketing department was a vital part of that effort, and I fell in love with the company all over again as we all worked together to stay in touch with our buyers, with our sellers. and with our auction teams. We didn’t miss a beat, and America’s Auto Auction has continued to impact the industry as one of its important leaders.”
Tucker also said, “My time at America’s Auto Auction has been an amazing ride with amazing people. I enjoy the excitement of the multitasking, seeing my work published nationally, and working with a great team who make America's Auto Auction successful.”
GM Financial named Manheim Pennsylvania as the winner of its Most Valuable Auction of the Year award and also named five regional 2020 Auction of the Year winners.
In selecting the recipients, GM Financial reviewed each of the company’s 51 auction partners’ performance in retention, operational metrics, pre-sale activities and overall auction operations.
The awards are part of GM Financial’s annual nationwide Auction of Excellence program, which recognized the highest-performing auction locations in 2020.
The regional Auction of the Year winners are ADESA Dallas in Hutchins, Texas; Manheim Denver in Aurora, Colo.; Manheim Milwaukee in Caledonia, Wisc.; Manheim Pennsylvania in Manheim, Pa.; and Rawls Auto Auction in Leesville, S.C.
Manheim Pennsylvania vice president and general manager Joey Hughes said it was an honor that GM Financial recognized the auction for delivering top customer service.
“I want to especially congratulate our employees for their dedication and commitment to delivering first-class service,” Hughes said in a news release. “We look forward to continuing our valued relationship with GM Financial for many years to come.”
“Despite a year of uncertainty, our auction partners rose to the occasion in 2020 to support GM Financial and our purchasing dealers,” said Bob Winn, senior vice president of remarketing solutions at GM Financial. “These top performers ensured operations continued as normally as possible by pivoting online, prioritizing buyer safety and keeping our vehicle sales top of mind. Congratulations to these top auctions of the year. This recognition is well earned.”
Jim Ivey describes the wholesale auction business as “something like a cross between being a stock broker and an air traffic controller.”
As fleet/lease manager for America’s Auto Auction Atlanta, Ivey goes above and beyond the call of duty, said the auction’s general manager, Corey Sanford.
“He can find common ground with anyone he comes in contact with, from his fellow employees, to national account representatives, to the many dealers we do business with,” Sanford said in a news release.
For his contributions, the company recognized Ivey with the America’s Auto Auction Spotlight Award for March.
The company said Ivey has been a fixture at America’s Auto Auction Atlanta for more than 15 years.
“He has worked tirelessly at the auction facility since 2005,” the company said.
Taking on a role that was a significant change from his previous work in software sales, Ivey joined the America’s Auto Auction Atlanta team in 2005 as the operations manager.
He knew soon afterward that he had found his life’s work.
He enjoyed the customer interaction and the auction industry’s fast pace.
The company promoted him to fleet/lease manager in 2010, and he has led that department ever since.
“I enjoy every minute of it, but what I appreciate the most are the relationships I’ve developed along the way, with our customers and the members of our auction team,” Ivey said.
America’s Auto Auction national sales director Tammy Swofford said Ivey executes at the highest standard.
“He knows the industry inside and out, is well-respected by his peers, his fellow employees and his customers, all of whom consider him a friend,” Swofford said. “His passion for catering to the needs of the clients is reflected in his work ethic and performance. We are fortunate to have him on the America’s team.”
Ivey said: “What makes working at an America’s Auto Auction such a joy is the tremendous support we receive from the company while allowing us to maintain our own footprint in the market.”
Ivey continued, “With a national reputation for professionalism and service, the America’s Auto Auction brand is one we carry with pride as we bring our own distinctive personality and personal touch to the process of bringing buyers and sellers together.”
Motley’s Richmond Auto Auction in Virginia received three awards from C&F Finance Co. and C&F Remarketing, including Auction of the Year.
It is the second year that Motley’s has received the auction of the year award from C&F Finance, an indirect finance company based in Richmond that provides automobile, marine and RV financing in 22 states.
Motley’s Richmond Auto Auction, a subsidiary of Motleys Asset Disposition Group, also received C&F Finance Company’s Highest Retention Rate, and C&F Remarketing’s Auction of the Year for 2020.
C&F works with 26 auto auctions and gives the annual awards to the auction with the highest retention and volume.
Motley’s auctions an average of 500 vehicles every Friday and operates on 35 acres of land.
C&F Remarketing assists U.S. dealers, finance companies and banks in liquidating vehicles and assets through wholesale channels.
“We appreciate the great relationship and partnership we have built with the Richmond Auto Auction team,” said Mike Wilson, chief operating officer of C&F Finance Co. and C&F Remarketing.
Motley’s Richmond Auto Auction general manager Wyatt Carter said it was an honor to work with C&F Finance Co. and C&F Remarketing.
“I am enormously proud of our staff and the hard work they dedicate to this account and others like it,” Carter said. “Without the teamwork of every department, this would not be possible and we would not be recognized by our national consignor partners like C&F.”
In other news, Motley’s Richmond Auto Auction announced a new partnership with American Credit Acceptance, which is based out of South Carolina. That company will offer vehicles during Motley’s weekly Friday sale starting Feb. 19.
With the auction's general manager describing her as an essential member of the America’s Auto Auction Chicago team since 1996, America’s Auto Auction recognized the auction’s assistant general manager, Maria Perez, with its February 2021 Spotlight Award.
Perez is a natural-born leader, and the auction’s many customers hold her in the highest regard at the national and local levels, said America’s national sales director, Tammy Swofford.
Customers say Perez is intelligent and driven, Swofford said.
“She not only has a great knowledge of the workings of the auction business but understands the local Chicago market, which is like no other,” Swofford said in a news release.
Swofford also said, “She is an invaluable ally to the team in Chicago, and has been a true friend and colleague in a male-dominated industry, where she has made her mark as a successful and respected leader.”
Beginning her auction career at age 18, Perez started out working at the front counter as a title clerk. She was supervising the front counter after 18 months.
She was promoted to office manager three years later in 1998. In 2010 the auction promoted her to office manager.
The auction named her assistant general manager in 2010.
Perez said that when she first arrived at the auction, it was a very different business.
“Back then we were the Jose Auction and ran vehicles on just a single lane,” Perez said.
Perez also said, “The growth since then has been stunning, particularly since becoming part of America’s Auto Auction in 2010. Now we’re running vehicles on as many as 10 lanes. The activity, the energy and the excitement are all part of what we do, and I love being involved in it all. The support we receive from the company and their respect for the boots on the ground all contribute to making this a great business and a great auction.”
America’s Auto Auction Chicago general manager Larry Hero said Perez offers strong knowledge of the inner workings of auction operations along with great customer service skills.
“Her loyalty, dedication and genuine focus on the importance of relationships in this business has earned the respect of customers and employees alike,” Hero said. “She has become a valued ambassador not only for this auction location but for the America’s brand as well, and we celebrate her contributions as she receives this award.”
Since America’s Auto Auction Baton Rouge hired Adele Lococo in 2018 as fleet/lease manager, she has focused on relationships. The company says that has had a positive effect on the auction’s customers and auction team members.
“As closely as we’ve worked together during this pandemic, we feel like a united family,” America’s Auto Auction Baton Rouge general manager Owen Stephens said in a news release.
Stephens continued, “[Lococo] shows the same care and concern for our dealers, who send us cars from beyond our region, some from as far away as Boise, Idaho because they have such trust in her.”
Because of that and other accomplishments, Lococo received America’s Auto Auction’s December Spotlight Award.
Born in Mansfield, England, Lococo came to the United States 30 years ago. She worked in semi-conductor sales, and after settling in Boise, Idaho, she went into the auction business. She started out in 1995 in the dealer registration department with the Idaho Auto Auction. After the auction was awarded the General Motors account, auction owner, Steve Marlow asked her to serve as the factory coordinator and later promoted her to factory sale manager. For the next 22 years in that position, she managed the department as the auction transitioned to the Brasher family’s ownership and later to ADESA.
Lococo credits her move to America’s Auto Auction to longtime General Motors remarketing leader Dan Kennedy and prior Idaho Auto Auction general manager Tory Moran, who both recommended America’s for its facilities and customer service focus.
“What I really appreciate about the auction business is that it’s never the same thing every day,” Lococo said.
She continued, “That keeps work challenging and interesting. But what I love about the business are the relationships I’ve developed over the years. That family-oriented sense of community among the customers and the auction team is such a strong part of the culture at America’s Auto Auction that I instantly knew that it was the place for me.”
Lococo also praised America’s support for the individual auction locations, noting that people are encouraging and willing to help with training.
“It’s a great group of individuals working together to build group strength,” she said. “I’m really happy to be part of the America’s team and proud of all that we’ve accomplished at America’s Auto Auction Baton Rouge.”
Lococo’s work was cut out for her when she started with America’s three years ago as the auction faced challenges with some national accounts, said America’s Auto Auction national sales director Tammy Swofford.
“I will never forget Ally Financial’s Rawlin Mallet telling me, ‘The best thing you have going for you right now is Adele Lococo,'" Swofford said. "She’ll fix things, even if it takes a little time for her to get her arms around the issues.’”
“Rawlin was right,” Swofford continued. “Adele hit the ground running and never looked back. She is dedicated and driven, follows through on every detail, is intently focused on customer relationships, and works to help grow accounts at sister auctions. We thought we would end this year of uncertainties with something absolutely certain: Adele is the ‘real deal’, and with her, we know what we are going to get, every single time.”
