The National Auto Auction Association has named Raymond C. Nichols an Industry Pioneer for his visionary leadership and exemplary service to the wholesale auto auction industry and NAAA.
Raymond C. Nichols
Chairman and CEO of BSC America
NAAA's Industry Pioneer Award, given to those who have worked in the wholesale motor vehicle industry, recognizes individuals who have innovated or enhanced methods of improving services to remarketers through NAAA member auctions, have championed NAAA member auctions as providing services for motor vehicle remarketers unavailable from any other source, and have consistently followed the standards of the NAAA Code of Ethics.
Nichols is chairman and CEO of BSC America, which encompasses two ServNet auction locations: Bel Air Auto Auction and Tallahassee Auto Auction; and a specialty weekly sale located at BSC's Clayton Station in Edgewood, Maryland.
"I join with all the ServNet auction owners in congratulating Raymond Nichols on receiving this honor from the National Auto Auction Association," said Chris Angelicchio, ServNet's Executive Director. "He has set a precedent for serving the industry, and over the span of his auction career has given generously of his time and expertise in support of the NAAA and other associations. Service beyond the auction contributes to the industry's success and advancement, and it's gratifying to see how much ServNet's auction owners have contributed over the years. Strategic leadership like that demonstrated by Raymond Nichols is vital to the success of the independent auction community and has made a lasting impact on the industry at large."
Nichols works in close partnership with his family: his son R. Charles Nichols (also NAAA's President in 2022) who serves as BSC America President, and his daughter Michelle Nichols-Neff who is the company's Executive Vice President. Under the Nichols family leadership, Bel Air Auto Auction has grown to become the largest independent dealer auto auction located in the Mid-Atlantic region, handling more than 100,000 vehicles annually.
Throughout his career, Nichols has been an active member and supporter of NAAA. He served as NAAA President in 2002 and was inducted into the NAAA Hall of Fame in 2008. He is currently the chair of the NAAA Joint Marketing Committee, which is responsible for engaging in marketing services related to auto auction industry data, known as AuctionNet. AuctionNet began in 1991 and is the largest and most comprehensive wholesale used vehicle sales data set in the United States. Nearly 270 NAAA member auctions contribute sales data on a weekly basis to AuctionNet, covering approximately 80% of dealer-only wholesale sales activity in the country.
"Nichols was instrumental in starting AuctionNet and he has provided outstanding leadership and vision for the project as it has evolved," NAAA said.
With the distinction of receiving the Industry Pioneer award, Nichols becomes just the sixth person in NAAA history to have served as NAAA President, be inducted into the NAAA Hall of Fame, and receive the Industry Pioneer award.