Dealers Auto Auction will add a new auction in Columbia, S.C., marking its first location in the Carolinas, and Matt Laughridge will serve as the auction’s general manager.
The new Dealers Auto Auction of Columbia will be the eighth auction for the group.
Laughridge started in the auction business in 1999 with Manheim, and he would go on to serve roles in the management training program; national sales; government services; transition team for the ADT acquisitions; Hi-line Auction supervisor at Manheim Atlanta; and AGM Manheim Darlington.
He led an eight-person sales team in the Carolinas, was chosen for the Cox Executive Leadership Program and served as regional account executive and major dealer account manager, GM Mobile accounts, across the United States.
Laughridge grew up around the car business, with both sides of his family running franchise retail stores.
“We are very excited about our expansion into Columbia, South Carolina,” DAAG president and chief executive officer, David Andrews said in a news release.
Andrews also said, “We are very fortunate to have Matt leading the new auction, especially considering his experience, strong leadership abilities and extensive dealer relations in the Columbia area.”
The new auction is located at 1416 Atlas Rd., Columbia, S.C.
In other news,the group has hired Harold Chapman to its leadership team, noting that Chapman most recently served as general manager for ADESA Nashville.
Chapman was with ADESA for the past 17 years and has worked in the auto industry for his entire career.
He started out in the retail automotive industry before moving to the auction side of the business.
“We are very excited to have Harold on our team,” said Dave Diedrich, vice president of sales and operations for DAAG.
Diedrich also said, “We are looking forward to Harold bringing his experience and talents to DAAG. Having someone with Harold’s industry knowledge, skill set and successful track record on the DAAG team is an invaluable asset.”
America’s Auto Auction has named Angela Yarborough as assistant general manager at its Houston auction facility, noting her more than 30 years of industry experience.
Yarborough’s auction career began in 1989 when Rawls Auto Auction hired her as a block clerk. She went on to work at Rawls for almost three decades.
Auction general manager Ben Nash said America’s Auto Auction Houston has seen strong increases in its customer base and consignment volumes for the past six months along with a return to live in-lane selling.
“With all that’s happening in our market, we determined it was time to hire an assistant general manager, and Angela was the ideal choice,” Nash said in a news release.
At Rawls, she served in the fleet/lease department, in business development and as the facility’s assistant general manager.
She later worked in national sales and as a Houston-area auction general manager before she started with America’s Auto Auction.
“From my first day at America’s Auto Auction Houston I knew that I’d found my new home,” Yarborough said.
She also said, “The independent auction is part of my DNA, and I can tell that’s something I share with the employees here in Houston. A great majority of the them have worked at the auction since it opened, and they all exhibit what’s best about an independent: They all work together to get the job done, whatever it takes, putting the customer first.”
Yarborough continued, “America’s Auto Auction Houston is a great facility, equipped to handle both commercial accounts and dealer customers, and we have an exciting future ahead of us. I couldn’t be working for a better team.”
America’s Auto Auction senior vice president John Swofford said Yarborough’s many years in the industry, along with her understanding of the independent auction, make her a strong fit in Houston.
“And we look forward to a long and successful relationship,” Swofford said.
Specialty auction remarketing services provider CrankyApe.com has named Evan Davidson as national director of auction sales and operations, noting that he will focus on implementing efficiency-based directives across the company.
Davidson will also focus on growing the current sales team at CrankyApe, which is a provider of online auction liquidation services for banks, insurance companies, charities, dealers, manufacturers, and the general public. The company primarily focuses on remarketing specialty vehicles such as boats, ATVs, motorcycles, RVs, and personal watercraft.
But the company said it also offers strong returns on cars, trucks, and vans for its clients.
Davidson, whose employment with CrankyApe.com began in October, has more than 20 years of senior management experience, including 10 years of strategic development and execution at KAR Global. At KAR, he served as national specialty sales and operations manager.
He was previously with GE Money Bank, serving as national remarketing sales manager. In that post, he oversaw the national remarketing sales program for RV, marine, and powersports products.
“Evan is the right person for CrankyApe.com,” said Brian Livingston, co-founder of CrankyApe.com, which operates six locations nationwide and provides recovery services in 48 states.
Livingston also said in a news release, “Evan’s extensive auction and remarketing background, along with his superior business development skills, will help CrankyApe.com strengthen channel partnerships, develop strategic alliances, and expand our national sales presence. We believe his strong leadership experience will immensely benefit CrankyApe.com during our current expansion initiatives and beyond.”
CrankyApe.com co-founder Jay Adams is excited about Davidson’s addition.
“His track record, depth of experience, and the energy he has about joining our business makes him an ideal leader to build on the great work of the rest of the CrankyApe team,” Adams said. “CrankyApe is now in an even stronger position to expand our footprint in the specialty market.”
Davidson, who will be based out of the CrankyApe.com Phoenix location, said he was excited to join the company.
“I believe CrankyApe has a great business model and a talented management team that uniquely positions itself to capitalize on the changing specialty vehicle auction environment,” Davidson said.
Davidson also said, “As the industry continues to evolve through restructuring, consolidation and technology migrations, I believe CrankyApe is in a powerful position to provide the best, most cost effective and timely suite of services to help lenders and insurers manage their specialty vehicle portfolios. Ultimately, I feel CrankyApe provides their clients with the best way to maximize their returns and improve their profitability during these changing times.”
Scott Morrow has assumed the role as operations manager for Akron Auto Auction, overseeing the recon department, lot crew, security department, condition reporting, and the outside repossession department operations.
Morrow, who has been with AAA for 23 years, will be responsible for all the auction's outside operations and functionality on sale day.
Starting his auction career as a member of the reconditioning staff, Morrow went on to serve as recon manager and lot manager for AAA. He said he has seen a great deal of growth in the company.
A member of the ServNet Auction Group, Akron Auto Auction includes six auction lanes and four separate buildings on 30 acres. The facility includes a full transportation department, reconditioning department, inspection department and floor planning services.
An average of 1,200 vehicles cross the block every Tuesday. Those include consignments from banks, fleet/lease companies and GSA, along with vehicles from Midwest new and used car dealers.
“This new role will allow me the freedom to implement new strategies that will streamline operations and improve the sale day experience,” Morrow said in a news release.
He also said, “I am looking forward to helping this auction’s growing trend to continue. This auction has always been very family-oriented and has always made me feel an important member of the team.”
On that family theme, multiple members of Morrow’s family work alongside him at the auction.
His mother, Becky, works in the registration department, his aunt Kim works in the auction’s cafeteria, and his daughter, Kayla, has worked in several positions while home from college on summer break.
“It's an added bonus that I have the opportunity to combine my family with my work family,” Morrow said. “I had no idea when I started here at 18 years old that my career would develop into what it has today. I could not be happier that it has.”
Manheim has appointed two new general managers and promoted three leaders into auction management positions, with one of the promotions a new vice president and general manager for its third-largest auction location.
“Manheim is tapping the broad knowledge and experience of this talented team of leaders to help position our company for future success,” said Patrick Brennan, Manheim senior vice president, Marketplace, in a news release.
One of those leaders is John Eriksen, who was promoted to vice president and general manager of Manheim New Jersey. The company said that 350-acre site is one of the first locations to offer Lot Vision, a tracking system that the company said helps clients locate vehicles quickly and accurately.
Manheim New Jersey has 22 physical and digital lanes and a 70,000-square-foot distribution center. It also features Manheim’s second-largest solar panel installation, powering 50% of the site’s power.
Eriksen moves into the new role following the retirement of Pete Sauber, who led Manheim New Jersey since 1991. After joining Manheim in 2007, Eriksen moved into positions of increasing responsibility. Those positions included general sales manager in the Mid-Atlantic region and assistant general manager at Manheim Orlando.
Most recently, Eriksen was general manager of Manheim Baltimore-Washington for nearly five years. In that role, he developed a team focused on client service and delivering strong financial performance, according to Manheim.
Another promotion is for Craig Amelung, who will serve as general manager of the newly-created Mid-Atlantic Market Center. The center includes Manheim Baltimore-Washington, Manheim Fredericksburg and Manheim Harrisonburg,
Amelung assumes his position following the retirement of Manheim Harrisonburg general manager, Karl Kiracofe. Amelung has been with Manheim for almost 30 years and served as general manager for Manheim Virginia. He also served four years in director-level corporate staff positions involving best practices and operations, returned to field operations, and most recently served as general manager of Manheim Fredericksburg. At Fredericksburg, Manheim said Amelung led the auction in achieving increased operating efficiency and client and employee engagement.
Manheim has also promoted auction managers that it described as three seasoned leaders. They will be responsible for overseeing team performance and business results and supporting Manheim’s Market Center operations.
One of those promoted auction managers is Lauren Sokolowski, who is now auction manager at Manheim Albany. She reports to Manheim New York general manager, Jesse Nelson. Sokolowski started with Manheim Albany in 2007 as a marketing manager. She was also the location’s office manager and dealer services and commercial account manager. She was promoted to assistant general manager in 2017.
Roger Teate was named auction manager at Manheim St. Pete. In that post, he will report to Manheim Tampa Market Center general manager Todd Janego. His 30-plus-year career includes nine years with NextGear Capital and most recently, regional dealer sales senior director for the Southeast market since 2014.
Sixteen-year Manheim veteran Toni Williams was promoted to auction manager at Manheim Central Florida. In that post, she reports to Manheim Orlando-Central Florida Market Center vice president and general manager, JD Daniels. Williams has served as assistant general manager at Manheim Jacksonville and general manager at Manheim Daytona Beach and Manheim Jacksonville before she started with Manheim Orlando in 2016 as assistant AGM of client services.
Of the new leaders, Brennan said, “We are confident they will bring tremendous value to our client relationships, team members and the communities we serve.”
McConkey Auction Group has named several leaders who will serve in new management positions, and the company also announced some promotions.
Aaron McConkey is one of those leaders, and the auction group has appointed McConkey to serve as vice president of strategic technology. McConkey Auction Group, or MAG, said that McConkey has served as Auction Edge’s product director for the past eight years and offers expertise in leading teams that create user-centric software products.
The auction group said his expertise is important as the group focuses on personalized service during the current times of digital transformation.
MAG recently purchased Southern California-based ABS Auto Auctions, and ABS has promoted Steve Boyes and Ed Hebert to regional manager positions. Those are newly created positions.
For the past 10 years, Boyes has served as ABS’s Orange County district manager. Before his time at ABS, Boyes was a buyer and used-car manager for more than 20 years. Boyes will oversee ABS sales and operations throughout Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada.
Hebert will manage ABS auctions from Oregon south to Fresno, Calif. He was the founder of UVA digital auctions, and after selling it to Brasher’s Auto Auctions, he continued to manage that business.
Since 2018, he has served as ABS’s Silicon Valley district manager. ABS Auto Auctions’ senior vice president and founder Tom Harmon said Boyes and Hebert have played important roles in ABS’s success.
“We knew we needed experienced, proven leadership in our territory manager positions,” Harmon said in a news release. “We’re fortunate to have just that in both Steve and Ed.”
Noting that DAA Las Vegas joined MAG last year and has been building its team, McConkey said it has internally promoted Stacy Schuch to office manager, Matt Barrett to operations manager, and Andy Sellers to dealer sales manager.
Sellers transferred to DAA Las Vegas from DAA Northwest, which is MAG’s Spokane, Wash., location.
“I’m really proud of the team we’ve assembled, and these three will be a huge part of our growth,” DAA Las Vegas general manager Joe LeMonds said.
MAG said an increase in personnel across several states was a factor in its promotion of Ashleigh Mathews to vice president of human resources.
Previously, Mathews directed human resources for MAG’s Pacific Northwest auctions. MAG said Mathews played an important role in guiding team members through COVID-19 pandemic uncertainties.
MAG also promoted Kaylen Bucher to marketing manager, noting Bucher’s strong digital marketing experience.
“We have a culture of servant leadership, and these people embody that,” MAG’s president and chief executive officer Bob McConkey said. “I’m really proud of this team and what they’re accomplishing as they serve our customers and their fellow employees.”
America’s Auto Auction has promoted Will Miller to the position of fleet/lease manager for its Toledo, Ohio, facility, noting that Miller is well suited to the new role during the current climate of increased emphasis on internet selling.
In his previous post as the auction’s online manager, Miller worked with fleet/lease and dealer accounts.
Miller said he understands the importance of digital selling to the auction’s buyers and sellers.
“When dealing with customers in remote locations, I know how crucial relationships are in building customer trust and loyalty,” Miller said in a news release.
He also said, “We also have an important segment of our customer base who prefer to come to the auction in person to view the inventory and bid and buy in the lane. For that reason, we have an obligation to provide the most optimum environment for both in-person and online sales, adhering to safety guidelines and maintaining strong connections with our customers to ensure a seamless buying and selling process.”
Miller started with the auction’s fleet/lease team in Toledo as a CR writer in 2012. Soon after that, he moved to the post of inside fleet/lease coordinator.
He has been online manager since 2016, and the auction said he played an important role in leading the auction’s online sale for commercial accounts. The company said Miller built that into a successful and award-winning aspect of the auction’s services.
“Whether he is working with customers or managing the administrative details of an auction transaction, Will epitomizes a person with a passion for the auction process,” said America’s Auto Auction Toledo general manager Joel Maltese.
Maltese also said, “That fire and enthusiasm is appreciated both by his colleagues at the auction and by our customers, with whom he has developed significant, long-lasting relationships. His skill and dedication affect all that he does at America’s Auto Auction Toledo and will serve him well as our fleet/lease manager.”
America’s Auto Auction senior vice president Brian Thomas described Miller as a devoted and resourceful member of the America’s Auto Auction Toledo team.
“Equally adept at managing relationships as well as our digital systems, Will has contributed to the growth and strength of our fleet/lease department during his tenure at the auction,” Thomas said. “America’s Auto Auction is pleased to recognize his contributions to our operations in Toledo in announcing his promotion to fleet/lease manager.”
America’s Auto Auction also highlighted Miller’s work on relationships and community beyond the auction arena. Miller works with various civic and veteran groups, serving since 2012 as a chair for the hot-air balloon event, Flag City BalloonFest.
He also serves as treasurer of the Blanchard Valley Friends of the NRA and as a board of directors member for Honor Flight, which transports America’s veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to those who have served and sacrificed for their country. The auction said Miller was honored to accompany an auction team member who had served in the military on a pre-pandemic trip to the nation’s capital.
Alliance Auto Auction has promoted Christina Thomas to general manager of the Alliance Waco location, noting that she has been in the auction business since starting as a temporary employee for ADESA in 2005.
Soon after starting with ADESA, Thomas was promoted to a district tele-sales supervisory role. She went on to serve as a tele-sales regional manager. During her time as a supervisor, she worked for current Alliance chief executive officer Tim Adams when he managed Shreveport and Dallas.
“Christina began with us in Dallas as a salesperson and has been one of the company frontrunners in sales ever since,” Adams said in a news release.
Alliance chief operating officer Christopher Dean described Thomas as someone who has worked hard, proven herself and grown through the ranks on her way to a higher leadership position.
“We are so excited and proud to announce that Christina Thomas will be our next general manager,” Dean said.
Dean added that Thomas was the first employee that Adams referred, and Dean said he hired her in Dallas.
“Christina told us early on that she had a long term goal within our company to run an auction for Tim Adams someday,” Dean said.
“I am very excited and humbled to have this opportunity to continue my journey with the amazing group of people here at Alliance Waco,” Thomas said.
Adams also added, “This is the Alliance culture. Aligning with others to help them achieve their goals.”
He also said, “Christina has a tremendous work ethic and is one of the hardest working individuals that you will meet in this industry. She is very trustworthy and dedicated and will always go above and beyond and do whatever the company needs and will do it with a great attitude.”
Buzz Cotton has spent a lifetime in the auction industry. After college graduation, he worked with his father, Jimmy Cotton, owner of the former Arena Auto Auction in Chicago.
He went on to become owner of Dyer Auto Auction in 1986, and on Thursday, Dyer announced that Buzz Cotton was transitioning the leadership mantle to his son, Jason Cotton, who becomes owner and auction president as Buzz Cotton retires from the business.
At the same time, the auction said it was opening a new greenfield site, stating that it held the first sale in its new Gary, Ind. facility on Nov. 18.
Dyer Auto Auction, which says it is one of the longest-running auctions in the country, opened in 1947 and has been in its Indiana location since 1977.
Buzz Cotton said he announced the transition to the next generation of family ownership with pride and confidence.
“Jason is devoted to this business and to our customers, and I know that the future holds great promise for the auction with him at the helm,” Cotton said in a news release.
Also on Thursday, the auction announced the appointment of Buzz Cotton’s stepson, Josh Boender, as the auction’s general manager. Boender takes the new position following the October passing of long-time Dyer general manager Mike Dean.
Regarding the new facility, the auction has once again outgrown the current site. The new Chicago-area auction includes a 100,000-square-foot auction building and eight auction lanes. It is located at the crossroads of the three major interstates that service the region. The company says the auction is within easy reach of all points in the Midwest.
“Dyer Auto Auction was built by going the extra mile, and the auction will continue to lead the industry and serve its customers through strong leadership and long-term relationships,” Buzz Cotton said.
Cotton continued, “Looking ahead and planning for the future as an independently owned and family operated auto auction is what kept Dyer above the rest in the Midwest. Transitioning to the next generation in the Cotton family with the values instilled by generations of hard work and experience is part of that plan.”
As for Buzz Cotton, he continued with Arena Auto Auction when Anglo American Auto Auctions purchased it in 1984. At that time, Cotton became director of operations. He remained in that role until he purchased Dyer Auction in 1986, and the company says the auction under his leadership has grown into one of the leading Midwest auctions. Dyer ran on three lanes with consignments of just 250 vehicles at the time he purchased the facility. The auction added another lane about four months later.
The company purchased additional land between 1986 and 1989, building a new 44-acre auction facility with eight lanes, reconditioning, pickup and delivery services. Weekly consignments grew to more than 1,400 vehicles weekly, and the auction began posting what it says were the highest-selling percentages in the region.
Regarding new owner and auction president Jason Cotton, he has worked with his father as Dyer’s fleet/lease manager since 2005. The company noted his deep involvement with the buildout of the auction’s new facility, stating that he oversaw the three-week move leading up to the premier sale in November.
The new auction, which will be renamed Chicagoland Independent Auction, is set to hold its official grand opening in January.
“As a third-generation auction owner, the auction business runs deep in my veins, as it has my father’s, and I am looking forward to an exciting new chapter for all of us,” Jason Cotton said.
He continued, “I couldn’t have had a better leader and teacher than my dad as I’ve learned about the industry and about the value of the personal relationships and the benefits that an independently-owned auction can offer.”
Regarding the appointment of Boender as general manager, Jason Cotton said Boender brings strong experience and skill to the role.
“Following a long tenure focusing on remarketing technology with Auto Lookout, Josh graduated from the Auction Academy program and joined us at Dyer Auto Auction working with our customers in the fleet/lease department,” Jason Cotton said.
He continued, “He has big shoes to fill in following Mike Dean, who had been such a vital and beloved member of Dyer Auto Auction’s leadership for over 25 years, but I know he’ll honor Mike’s legacy in his new post. I’m thrilled that Josh is joining me on the auction’s executive team as we move into a new and exciting chapter.”
Dyer Auto Auction says a strong and loyal dealer base has supported the auction, and many of those dealers attended the final sale at the Dyer, Ind. facility, said TPC Management vice president Jiles Wanna.
“It was a day of mixed emotions for everyone present, as they bid farewell to Buzz in the location where they had done business for so many years and looked ahead to the new site and the next generation of Cotton family ownership,” Wanna said. “Dyer Auto Auction has been one of our firm’s longest standing clients, and we join with their many customers in looking forward to a strong continued relationship with Jason, Josh and the entire team at Chicagoland Independent Auction.”
Sarah Ruzicka is the new general manager at the West Michigan auction location of America’s Auto Auction.
Ruzicka has been with West Michigan Auto Auction since 2011, and Carl Miskotten owned the auction at the time. In becoming general manager, Ruzicka follows Miskotten, who purchased the facility in 1997. Miskotten sold the auction to America’s Auto Auction 2017, and stayed on as general manager.
Miskotten will continue with the company in an advisory position at West Michigan and as general manager at America’s Auto Auction Interstate 94 in Parma, Mich.
Ruzicka’s promotion was announced during the auction’s regular weekly sale on Oct. 30.
She began her auction industry career in 2006 as a receptionist for Flint Auto Auction. She moved up into the main office and eventually ran the Chrysler Marshalling Department.
In 2011, she started as a sales representative for West Michigan Auto Auction. In 2015 she became the auction’s sales manager and in 2019 was promoted to assistant general manager.
Ruzicka said she was excited to take on the general manager role.
“I love working for a company that truly cares about its customers and employees, in a business that is as exciting and challenging as the auction industry is,” Ruzicka said in a news release.
She continued, “I have had the opportunity to work with so many talented and supportive people since I arrived at America’s West Michigan, who have taught me so much and contributed to my growth both personally and professionally. Starting with my parents, who instilled in me a work ethic that has served me well, I have been privileged to work with Tammy Swofford and Brian Thomas at the home office who have provided such consistent support and encouragement, and most especially with Carl Miskotten who has mentored and believed in me over the years, and provided an outstanding example of the kind of person that both customers and employees trust and depend on.”
“Since acquiring the West Michigan facility in 2017, America’s Auto Auction leadership has held Sarah in very high regard,” said America’s Auto Auction senior vice president Brian Thomas.
Thomas continued, “America’s strongest asset is its people, and we are always happy to be able to promote from within, particularly when we have someone like Sarah with exceptional character and skill to take on important leadership positions. Carl Miskotten has done an incredible job at building a team at West Michigan, which strives to deliver the best customer service experience. As Sarah takes over leadership of that team, we’re excited to see her take the auction to the next level.”
