FRANKLIN, Tenn. -

Just months away from concluding their two-year course of study at Auction Academy, students of the program's fifth class will soon meet in Detroit for three days from Oct. 15 through Oct. 17 as part of its final session.

While in Detroit, the class will meet with National Auto Auction Association chief executive officer Frank Hackett and visit Manheim Detroit Auto Auction.

Most recently, the class took a trip to Chicago, where they visited America’s Chicago Auto Auction and met with representatives from Donlen, NCM Associates and World Omni Financial, according to Auction Academy.

In March, Auction Academy will hold a graduation ceremony for its fifth class during the next CAR Conference in Las Vegas. Auction Academy President Penny Wanna said that students graduate with the training and tools they need for success in the remarketing industry.

“We frequently hear back from Auction Academy graduates, who tell us how much the program has contributed to a better understanding of the industry and helped prepare them to take on major responsibilities,” Wanna said in a news release Friday.  “As we approach the final meeting of our fifth class, we’re excited and inspired to see the number of previous graduates who have moved into significant management positions since completing the program.”

Many previous students who have graduated from its past four classes have already taken on leadership roles at auto auctions nationwide, according to Auction Academy.

Just two years ago, Luke Dietrick, a member of Auction Academy’s fourth class, was appointed to serve as general manager at Indiana Auto Auction just ahead of his graduation from the program in 2016.

Dietrick credits Auction Academy for not only providing him with valuable auction industry insight, but also networking and relationship building opportunities, as well.

“Auction Academy expanded my knowledge of the auction business and introduced me to many leaders in the industry that I’d otherwise have spent a lifetime developing,” said Dietrick. “My peers in the program are the new generation of leaders; my association with them was invaluable as we learned together and will continue to help me as we work and serve in the industry.”

According to Auction Academy, in addition to Dietrick, past Auction Academy students who have gone on to take on leadership roles within the industry include:

  • Matt Alombro, auction manager at Louisiana's 1st Choice AA
  • Chris Angelicchio, GM at ADESA Pittsburgh
  • Eric Autenrieth, GM and managing partner at Carolina AA; managing partner at Indiana AA
  • Chris Barile, GM at Alliance AA, Longview
  • Chrissy Briggs-Sellstrom, GM at Greater Erie AA
  • Justin Brown, GM at Missouri AA
  • Wyatt Carter, GM at Richmond AA
  • Scott Crane, GM at ADESA Reno
  • Lawrence Cubitt, GM at ADESA Flint
  • Brandon Derrick, GM at Memphis AA
  • Brian McConkey, assistant GM at DAA Seattle
  • Bill McCready, vice president of operations at Southeastern AA of Savannah
  • Dave Pendergraft, GM at DAA Northwest
  • Luke Pidgeon, GM at El Paso Independent AA
  • Andrew Pyle, chief sales officer at Mountain State Auto Auction
  • Tommy Rogers, GM at BSC America's Clayton Station
  • Dave Ward, GM at ADESA Boise
  • Clint Weaver, GM at America's AA Harrisburg