Auction Academy finished the 2015 academic year with a joint session of two Class Groups, which met in Detroit, Michigan on October 26-28. Over 30 students and staff participated in an in-depth tour of Flint Auto Auction led by auction owners John Luce and Bill Williams. In addition to a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of one of the most successful auctions in the country, students also met with members of the auction staff, and came away with a better understanding of how Flint Auto Auction, in its 63rd year, has become one of the nation’s premier remarketing centers for General Motors, Ally Financial, Credit Acceptance/VRS and a host of other accounts.
The group went on to visit Detroit’s Renaissance Center, World Headquarters for General Motors, which included a session on factory vehicle sales led by Dan Kennedy of GM’s Remarketing Department, as well as a tour of ONSTAR. Later that day the group was hosted by United Road Services for a tour of the Ford Rouge Manufacturing Plant and the Detroit Truck Plant where Ford builds the iconic F-150 pickup truck.
The final day included presentations by United Road’s Dave Koster who discussed truck transport of new and used vehicles, Direct Auction Services’ Doug Holland who explained the risks and hazards at physical auction plants, Auction Academy’s Randall McCathren who covered vehicle financing, Charlie Vogelheim who reviewed Used Car Guidebooks, and Anil Goyal of Black Book who provided an overview of current market conditions.
Said Randall McCathren, COO of Auction Academy, “We want to especially thank John Luce and Bill Williams of Flint Auto Auction as well as Kathleen McCann and Dave Koster of United Road for their support and sponsorship of this Fall Session. The feedback from the students has been overwhelmingly positive in all aspects of this session.”
Auction Academy’s 2016 schedule begins in February when Class Group 4 meets in Birmingham, Alabama. In March, Class Group 3 convenes in March for its final session and graduation during CAR In Las Vegas. Class 4 fills out the year with a session in May hosted by State Line Auto Auction, an August session in Dallas, and its final session and graduation in November during Used Car Week/NRC.
Added Academy CEO, Pierre Pons: “Since its launch in 2012, the Auction Academy program has exceeded all of our expectations, and has been enthusiastically received by the students, faculty and the industry at large. We also acknowledge the important role played by our main sponsors who have so generously sponsored Auction Academy: Black Book, Next Gear Capital, OVE, Design Works, Henry and Patty Stanley, and a host of others.”
The Auction Academy is a continuing education program developed by TPC Management Company (TPC) for professionals in the auto auction industry. It provides a two-year training and development experience for automotive auction professionals, structured like an Executive MBA program. With faculty drawn from expert practitioners around the country, Auction Academy’sprograms are designed to enhance essential skill sets, promote best practices and yield better auction performance. The curriculum includes site visits, field trips and work with industry experts in all areas of auction operations.
For additional information about Auction Academy, contact Jiles Wanna by email: jwanna@auctionacademy.net, or by telephone: (615) 591-7861; or visit the web site at www.auctionacademy.net.