SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -

Among other honors the association shared throughout the week, the National Auto Auction Association announced its annual Auto Auction of the Year for Excellence in Community Service award at its convention last month.

During the event, which was held in partnership with the National Remarketing Conference at Used Car Week in Scottsdale, Ariz., NAAA presented this award to ADESA Winnipeg.

The award includes a $20,000 donation to the charity of ADESA Winnipeg’s choosing and a crystal loving cup. The auction will also be on the cover of the association’s magazine and its 2019 membership directory.

As a 2018 NAAA Chapter Auction of the Year Award recipient, ADESA Winnipeg — which earned top billing for NAAA’s Eastern Chapter — was one of four finalists for the national award. Others included ADESA Indianapolis in the Midwest Chapter, Manheim Darlington in the Southern Chapter and Kansas City Independent Auto Auction for the Western Chapter.

“It’s evident community service ranks highly in ADESA Winnipeg’s core values as this is its third consecutive year to be selected for this honor,” said Steven DeLuca, who is the president of the NAAA Eastern Chapter. “Congratulations to their team and community. Their passion to give back to those in need is inspirational.”

At the convention, NAAA also inducted Tom Cross of Black Book and McConkey Auction Group president and CEO Bob McConkey into its Hall of Fame. Cross is the executive vice president of the Hearst Corp. overseeing the transportation portfolio, including Black Book, where he is president.

“Cross has been instrumental in leading the successful transformation of Black Book from printed publications to electronic media. Under his direction, Black Book has pioneered such advancements as daily valuation updates, mobile and web data solutions, as well as a host of services that help auto lenders, remarketers, dealers and specialty market customers,” NAAA said.

“His vision for numerous innovative products focusing on data licensing, subscription services, software as a service, and data as a service offering has earned the company an industry-wide reputation for timely, accurate and independent vehicle pricing information across several markets.”

Of McConkey, NAAA said: “Today McConkey oversees auto auctions in Spokane, Kansas City and Seattle with combined auction sales of more than 100,000 units annually, and leads the executive team in the development of relevant future strategies. Regularly calling bids on the block, McConkey is considered to be one of the finest auctioneers of autos in the West.”

The auction association also gave its NAAA Distinguished Service Medal to Southern Auto Auction security director Frank Deltoro for “his quick thinking and life-saving action as the first responder to a multiple injury accident at his workplace.”

Southern Auto Auction president and owner Larry Tribble said: “Frank is a highly valued manager at our auction. He’s an excellent multi-tasker and leader in operations as well as obviously an outstanding first responder and proficient AED operator who can coolly handle difficult situations. We’re all very proud to have Frank on our team.”

Added Warren Clauss, who had been NAAA’s president the past year: “Frank Deltoro’s unhesitating, rapid response and cool-headed emergency care in the midst of an appalling event truly merits recognition, and it is our privilege to do so by awarding him our highest honor. He was instrumental in ensuring a positive outcome from this terrible accident and serves as an exceptional example of the humanitarian spirit this decoration was created to encourage.”

Stay tuned to the Dec. 15 edition of the Auto Remarketing magazine, which is the annual Used Car Awards issue. Additional awards from both NAAA and Cherokee Media Group will be featured in that publication.