Clark County Auto Auction, with the help of its employees, friends, and business associates, has donated $33,222 to Childplace Family Services.

Childplace Family Services houses and treats children who have been removed from their homes by the courts for abuse, neglect or other chaotic issues.

Childplace offers therapy services, educational support, and opportunities for spiritual growth inside a structured environment, while also providing opportunities to play, exercise, socialize and participate in community activities. There are currently 50 children in the care of Childplace.

While Childplace provides many services to care for the needs of our displaced youth, they often grapple with the mounting costs of providing gifts during the holiday season. With help from businesses like Clark County Auto Auction, Childplace can meet its goal of providing “a want, a need, an article of clothing, and an item to read” to each child in their care. Donations are also used to purchase stocking stuffers and group gifts.

“I’m so excited we were able to reach our goal! I want to give a special thanks to everyone that helped us get there,” said Paul Fetter, general manager of the Clark County Auto Auction “Thanks to our many customers, vendors and friends that made donations. Thanks to the local car clubs and enthusiasts for all their hard work and fund raising. And thanks for all the hard work put in by the CCAA Employees and their families and friends.”

For the last 7 years, Clark County Auto Auction has made a goal of raising at least $20,000 to support the efforts of Childplace Family Services. Through fundraising events like a Classic Car Show and a Halloween Trunk-or-Treat, CCAA hopes to continue this tradition for years to come.

Chris Elliott has been hired as Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions for America’s Group, including America’s Auto Auction and AXLE Funding, a nationwide vehicle auction/remarketing and floorplan finance company.

Chuck Tapp, CEO of the company, states, “Along with his exceptional background with M&A, Chris has a formidable expertise in the strategy and financial innovations needed to manage the growth of America’s Group.”    

“I am thrilled to be joining the America’s team to help drive their growth efforts across the U.S.,” said Elliott. “I believe my strong and varied experience with corporate development, consulting, and finance will help position America’s Group and America’s Auto Auctions as the growth leaders of the industry. 

Elliott was formerly the Director of Corporate Development for M&A at Sweeping Corporation of America. He received his BS in Finance and Economics from John Carroll University and MBA from Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and is an M&A Roll-Up Expert credited with over 70 acquisitions.

As the industry convened last month at the 2023 NAAA World Remarketing Convention in Chicago, Auction Academy’s 7^th Class Group completed the final session of its two-year curriculum, capped by a graduation ceremony held in conjunction with the NAAA convention. Founded in 2012, Auction Academy has marked the graduation of over 135 students from its professional training program, which was created by industry consulting/advisory firm TPC Management. In addition, 100 people from the remarketing industry have participated in the Academy’s one-day Seminar Series programs. 

Auction Academy’s graduating class arrived in Chicago a day early for a special event hosted by long-time Academy sponsor NextGear Capital, whose own Danny McNelis is one of the Class 7 graduates. The group enjoyed an iconic Sunday afternoon of baseball, as the Chicago Cubs played at Wrigley Field.

On Monday, the group began its final session with a visit to America’s Auto Auction – Chicago, where General Manager Larry Hero hosted a tour of the facility and led discussions on auction processes. The group then met in the classroom for presentations by Pierre Pons of TPC Management, Tony Long of American Recovery Association, Cody Boswell of Missouri Auto Auction, and David Pendergraff of McConkey Auction Group. Concluding the session was a Panel Discussion (Getting the most out of a Conference) led by Auction Academy Alumni: Michael L. Waseity, Jr. (Class 5, Akron Auto Auction); Jeanine Cunningham (Class 4, BSC America, Women in Remarketing Honoree in 2023) and Jacob Warren (Class 5 – Louisiana’s 1^st Choice Auto Auction).

On Tuesday morning of Convention Week, Class Group 7 were the invited guests of the Independent Auction Group (IAG) at its business meeting. There, the graduating class were acknowledged for their accomplishment and presented with plaques by IAG’s leadership team:  Dave Blake, the incoming Executive Director; Lynn Weaver, former Executive Director and Charlotte Pyle, Chairman.

“We’re so pleased to mark the graduation of yet another group of outstanding Auction Academy students,” said Penny Wanna, Auction Academy President.  “They’ve all worked hard and contributed so much during their two years of rigorous training, and they take their places among the industry’s leaders who have the knowledge, experience, and commitment to maintain the health and strength of the industry.”   

Wanna notes that Class Group 7 includes 30 students from 17 states across the country, who represent a variety of disciplines within the automotive industry, including auction operations, floorplan and finance, technology and remarketing.

The highlight of convention week was the Class 7 Graduation Ceremony, which was followed by a gala dinner and celebration. More than 150 guests attended the event to congratulate the graduating class, including the executive directors of the industry’s major associations: Paul Lipps of NAAA, Mark Coleman of IARA, and Dave Blake of IAG.

Throughout this year’s NAAA convention, the group marked the participation of a number of Auction Academy staff and graduates.  Of special note were Charlie Vogelheim, a member of Auction Academy’s faculty who presided as Master of Ceremonies; and Eric Autenrieth, CEO of the Stanley/Autenrieth Group and himself an Auction Academy alum, who was the Keynote Speaker at the Graduation Dinner and was inducted the next evening as President of the National Auto Auction Association.

“It has been a pleasure for all of us involved in Auction Academy to work with Class Group 7 over the course of the two-year program, and we extend our heartiest congratulations on their graduation,” said Pierre Pons, CEO of TPC Management Company. “From the beginning we have been impressed with their skill and their devotion, and we know that the members of the graduating class will positively impact both their own companies and the remarketing industry at large.”

“We also want to acknowledge the support Auction Academy receives from industry partners who have been critical to the program’s success. As they collaborate with us on industry initiatives, participate in training and facilitate the tours, they bring a level of expertise to the classroom and share insights in many areas of the industry that is invaluable to Auction Academy students. Jiles Wanna is an essential member of our team whose industry connections and introductions lend to our evolving and progressive curriculum. We are also pleased to welcome our newest faculty member: this year’s NAAA Pioneer Award Winner, John Poteet, former owner/operator of Louisiana’s First Choice Auto Auction.”

Wynn Las Vegas and RM Sotheby’s, the renowned global leader in collector car auctions, will hold the official auction of the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix at 4 p.m. Nov. 17. Together, they will host an exclusive auction at the resort’s Awakening Theater, bringing the best and most iconic goods to attendees. 

Guests can expect a strong collection of offerings, including cars from some of motorsports’ true legends, sports memorabilia, and other luxury goods.

The theater’s 360-degree experience features a multi-level prismatic stage and custom sound system. The production of the auction will parallel the theater’s technological advancements and splendor.

“The official auction of the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix will bring together the worlds of automobiles, hospitality, and sports, showcasing the world’s most coveted cars along with iconic memorabilia,” said Bryon Madsen, president of RM Sotheby’s. “It is poised to be the ‘must-attend’ motorsport and luxury event of the weekend, second only to the race itself.”