As the auto auction industry anticipates the NAAA Convention in Indianapolis and the ServNet owners prepare for their Fall Owners' Meeting, several of the group's members will transition to new leadership roles, both on the national front and within the group. Chad Bailey (Akron Auto Auction), current NAAA President, will move to NAAA's Chairman of the Board, while Eric Autenrieth (Carolina & Indiana Auto Auction) will serve as ServNet's Chairman of the Board following his two-year term as the group's president. Bruce Beam (DAA/OKC), meanwhile, will take the reigns as ServNet's President.
Chad Bailey concludes his term as President at the NAAA Convention in Indianapolis
As he completes his term as NAAA President, turning over the gavel to Laura Taylor (XLerate's Charleston Auto Auction), Bailey looks over his time, highlighting the Association's accomplishments under his watch.
"Any past President of the NAAA will tell you that their year in office is nothing short of a whirlwind of activity," says Bailey. "Like my predecessors, I've been constantly on the move, visiting auctions, attending conferences, meeting with industry associates, working with political leaders and overseeing the initiatives that improve and benefit our membership. My goal from the beginning was to inject even more vitality and energy into the Association, and felt that the time was right to hold our own stand-alone Convention. After listening to our members, who urged the change, I determined that we had plenty of content and valuable conversation to do it on our own, and I'm thrilled to see that the industry agrees, with convention registrations being the highest in many years, associate member applications the highest they've ever been, and the exhibit hall spaces selling out in record time. We're seeing great support from all segments of the industry: from ADESA, Manheim, ServNet, America's, XLerate, the Independent Auction Group, and tons of independents as well as associate members. A great team effort makes for a great convention, and we're looking forward to an outstanding event in Indianapolis."
Bailey explains that maintaining a strong Association is a team effort, and that he has witnessed first-hand the ongoing support for the NAAA during his term as President."
"Our members have been solidly behind our Safety Summit, the Auction Standards Summit, and our political activities," says Bailey. "It has been nothing short of overwhelming for me to see how a group of 340 auctions, which are essentially competitors, work together so well to improve our businesses AND our Association. I truly have a new appreciation for the staff at NAAA as their team of 6-7 staff members do the work of 20. They have sure helped me look good."
Adds Bailey: "If truth be told, my greatest joy during my term as NAAA President has been seeing my own auction staying on pace, while allowing me to go 100 miles an hour, neck-deep in the affairs of the National Association. While I've lent my heart and soul to the NAAA over the past 12 months, my staff in Akron hasn't skipped a beat. It has been phenomenal too see the Akron Auto Auction continue to thrive in my absence, and I couldn't be prouder of my group at home. I hope they don't change the locks on the doors when I return from Indianapolis!"
Following the NAAA Convention, ServNet auction owners gather for their Fall Business Meeting which this year will be coupled with the Bi-annual Client Advisory Program outside Dallas, TX. At that meeting Eric Autenrieth transitions to the post of Chairman of the Board following his two-year term as the group's president. He credits his predecessor, Kevin Brown with instituting a level of owner participation that he has encouraged over the past two years.
"My colleague Kevin Brown was adamant about the value of ServNet owners' involvement in the NAAA and its committees," explains Autenrieth. "I've been delighted to see outcome of his influence during my two years as ServNet's president, and am happy to report that there's a ServNet owner who's either a chairman or co-chair on every committee of the NAAA Independent Group."
Autenrieth looks forward to the group's bi-annual Client Advisory Meeting when the group will meet with national account consignors to discuss important industry initiatives and consider business solutions to meet their challenges.
"Although it hasn't happened yet, I'm anticipating that this meeting will be the high point of my term as ServNet's President," said Autenrieth. "It is the culmination of a great deal of work on the part of our auctions over the past two years, and I'm looking forward to sharing it. We will report on the results of our efforts to ensure condition report consistency, enhance photo quality on internet postings, and develop a national standard for key-making. With so many mobile options in the industry, we will also discuss ServNet's capabilities to sell ‘outside the gate', and to make inventory available for sale 24/7, offering storage space on our lots and exposing those vehicles to a national market around the clock. I'm excited to share the strong progress we have made in response to our customers' concerns, and looking forward to what we can offer going forward."
When Bruce Beam moves into his leadership role as ServNet's President for the next two years, his immediate goal is to ensure a seamless transition in ServNet's executive leadership, as John Brasher and Robert Sullivan take over as Executive Director/Administrative Director following Pierre Pons' decision to step down as the group's CEO at the end of the year.
"Pierre and his team have worked tirelessly to fortify ServNet as an organization and to strengthen ServNet's position in the industry," said Beam. "With John and Bob's experience in the industry, we're looking forward to maintaining our brand and the reputation that ServNet has always enjoyed, building on our previous traditions and events, and expanding our presence in the West."
Beam will also focus on the dealer community during his term as ServNet's president.
"Every week thousands of dealers buy vehicles at ServNet auctions," said Beam. "I want to make sure that those customers realize that when they buy a vehicle from a ServNet auction, they have the benefit of our entire network of auctions."
"In today's remarketing world, auto dealers are sourcing their inventory nationally in ever-increasing numbers. Within the ServNet community, no matter how far away the selling auction is, there's a ServNet auction near to stand behind the transaction," says Beam. "It's important that our dealers know that ServNet's owners work together, so that following the sale, the customer receives the follow-up and support from their local ServNet auction, working with the people they have known for years and do business with on a regular basis."
"ServNet's continued success and strength lies in the group's dedication to the auction industry, and its focus on maintaining consistency through transition," says Pierre Pons. "ServNet's auction owners are deeply committed to their businesses and their customers, but have a long history of sharing their experience and insight with other members of the group and the industry as a whole. We applaud the contributions our current leaders have made, as they make way for the leaders who follow in their footsteps.
The ServNet Auction Group is a network of America's best strategically located independently-owned wholesale auto auctions. For over thirty years, ServNet member auctions have been working together to provide a full range of remarketing services to its customers, including the best auctioneers, inspections, reconditioning, transportation assistance and inventory financing.