It was a celebration in the wholesale world for multiple reasons recently in Connecticut.

The National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) has named Garrison Hudkins as a Warren Young Fellow for 2022 and presented the award during Southern Auto Auction’s 75th anniversary celebration.

According to a news release, the honor recognizes Hudkins for his service and contributions to the wholesale auto auction industry and his leadership as part of NAAA’s executive committee.

Hudkins is NAAA president-elect and is president of Southern Auto Auction, Eastern Powersports Auction, and SAFS, Inc. He joined the East Windsor, Conn., auction in 2010, becoming the third generation in the family business founded in 1947 by his wife’s grandfather, Larry Tribble Sr.

NAAA highlighted Hudkins has spent more than a decade in management at Southern Auto Auction and brings a variety of previous business experience to the wholesale auto auction industry.

“Garrison has made significant contributions to our industry as a member of NAAA’s executive committee and as an advisor to NAAA’s joint marketing committee,” NAAA president R. Charles Nichols said in the news release. “It has been my pleasure serving alongside Garrison over the last year, and I have valued his insights and visionary leadership. I know the future of our association is bright with Garrison taking over as NAAA president next year.”

The NAAA Warren Young Fellowship was created in honor of Warren Young Sr., a pioneer of the auto auction industry. The award comes with a $2,500 donation in each fellow’s name to the NAAA Warren Young, Sr. Scholastic Foundation.

Since its establishment in 2004, the Scholastic Foundation has helped students pursue dreams of higher education. The foundation is a self-sustaining nonprofit organization and awards $52,000 in merit scholarships annually for study at accredited institutions.

“NAAA congratulates Hudkins for earning the lifetime distinction of being named a Warren Young Fellow and for joining this exclusive group of individuals who further the legacy of Warren Young, a pioneer of the auto auction industry,” the association said.