We begin this auction news roundup in Ohio, where Value Auto Auction has named a new general manager.

Appointed to the GM role at this Crooksville auction is Carrie Thomas, who was most recently director of sales.

Thomas became director of sales last year after five years as an outside sales representative for the auction.

“It is with tremendous pride and excitement that we have chosen to place Carrie Thomas in the role of general manager at Value Auto Auction,” Value Auto Auction president and owner Chad Bailey said in a news release from ServNet, of which the auction is a part.

“Her passion and dedication to the employees and customers, coupled with her fire to serve as a leader within this organization, community and industry, is contagious. I am 100% confident that Carrie will spearhead The Value Way, defining this auction as the gold standard for many years to come,” said Bailey, who also owns Akron Auto Auction and is president of ServNet.

Value Auto Auction was acquired by Akron Auto Auction in June.

Thomas added: “The idea that passion comes from being part of something you believe in, something bigger than yourself, is a guiding principle of my life.

“Many of my colleagues will tell you that I am very passionate about what I do, especially in helping others grow. A leadership role is an important one, and I am honored to be given this opportunity to be help grow Value Auto Auction to reach its highest potential with Chad Bailey and the team. I’m looking forward with excitement to our future,” she said.

ServNet to open scholarship applications next month 

In other news involving ServNet, the auction group has opened its 2022 Scholarship Program, which assists ServNet auction employees and their families with higher education expenses, be it college or vocational schools.

The auction group is providing up to 10 awards totaling $20,000 for undergraduate students for the 2022-23 academic year.

Five of those would be awards of $2,500 each for students attending a four-year college/university, and five would be awards of $1,500 each for those attending a two-year college or pursuing an automotive-related degree at a vocational/technical school. More info is available at https://www.servnetauctions.com/servnet-scholarship-program.

Applications will be available March 10, with the deadline of 3 p.m. (CT) on April 20. ServNet will announce the award recipients in May.

The Scholarship Program was launched in 2016 and is among several education-related endeavors ServNet has pursued.

“As the leaders of family-owned businesses. ServNet owners take a deep personal interest in their employees,” ServNet administrative director Robert Sullivan said in a news release. “ServNet’s scholarship program encourages the members of our auction families and helps lay the groundwork for the next generation that follows.”