November to be a Busy Month for Auction Academy

Penny Wanna
President, Auction Academy

Nashville, TN — Auction Academy will finish 2021 with a flurry of activity, with two important events set for November reports Auction Academy President Penny Wanna. Coming up first is the inaugural meeting of Auction Academy’s 7th Class Group in Nashville on November 4th, 5th and 6th. The two-year curriculum includes both virtual training and quarterly in-person meetings.

Says Wanna, “We are very excited to welcome this new Class Group to the program and absolutely thrilled that this will be the largest class to date, with 30 registered students from auto auctions and industry partners around the country.”

During this first Session, Tony Long of IARA will review that organization’s mission. The students will also begin coursework in the IARA CAR Certification Program, which is now a regular part of the Academy coursework. The next day the group will visit Manheim Nashville Auto Auction, hosted by auction General Manager, Sam Chapel.

Says Pierre Pons, Academy CEO, “Auction Academy’s students will learn much from Sam Chapel, who is one of the top auto auction General Managers in the country. Throughout his career he has demonstrated what it means to lead by example and bring out the best in others, in recognition of which he earned the highest honor for a Cox Enterprises employee: the Governor James M. Cox Award. We are so grateful to always open our program with a visit to this spectacular auction facility, and to get industry insights from Sam and his team.

The first session for Class Group 7 will also include presentations by Dave Blake of McConkey Auction Group on an overview of the industry, Eric Stevens of Littler Law on Labor and Employment practices, Charlie Vogelheim on Guidebooks 101 and an indepth study into Digital Sales in OVE University.

Later in November, the Auction Academy will graduate Class 6 when the industry meets in Las Vegas. Class 6 first met in May of 2019, and graduation was originally slated for Spring of 2021. Due to COVID restrictions, graduation was rescheduled for the Fall NAAA Convention, but was once again postponed when that convention was cancelled. The Academy’s current graduates, alumni and staff are looking forward to Used Car Week in Las Vegas when Class 6 will at last receive their well-deserved diplomas and recognition.

Added Wanna, “Class 6 has been absolutely the most resilient of any group so far in the program. Moving them to a virtual format for most of 2020 and into 2021 had its challenges, but the class held together and formed bonds that will last throughout their careers.”

Concluded Pons, “Throughout the challenges of the past two years and all the transitions that were entailed, all of us at the Academy express our gratitude to the key sponsors and companies that have supported the program: BSC America, NAAA, McConkey Auctions, AutoIMS, Stanley-Autenreith Auctions, Liquid Motors, Cherokee Media, Used Car News, CARS Recon, America’s Auto Auction, DealShield, NextGear, OVE, & Auction Edge– along with the many presenters

who gave tirelessly of their time and knowledge. It is through their generosity and support, coupled with Penny Wanna’s determination and leadership that this program has thrived.

Pierre Pons
President, TPC Management

Auction Academy is a continuing education program developed by TPC Management Company (TPC) for professionals in the auto auction industry. Auction Academy’s two-year program provides a training and development experience for auto auction professionals, structured like an Executive MBA program.

With faculty drawn from expert practitioners around the country, Auction Academy’s programs are designed to enhance essential skill sets, promote best practices and yield better auction performance. The curriculum includes site visits, field trips, technical certifications and work with industry experts in all areas of auto auction operations.

For additional information about Auction Academy, contact Penny Wanna by telephone: (615) 591-4544; or by email: Pwanna@auctionacademy.net, or visit the website www.auctionacademy.net.