SHINNSTON, W.Va. -

After 22 years as a member of the National Auto Auction Association, Charlotte Pyle is excited to be taking on the role of president during this year’s annual convention in Chicago this week.

Pyle, who owns Mountain State Auto Auction along with her husband, revealed her husband Joe and his father were instrumental in getting her involved in the industry.

“My background to the auction world began in the antique estate business. My husband Joe is an auctioneer and operated a business liquidating antiques and household furnishings for families that lost a loved one or just wanted to downsize,” she explained to Auto Remarketing. “His father owned a late-model used-car dealership and attended auto auctions. He introduced Joe to a gentleman in Fairmont, W. Va., who operated a small two-lane facility that had just lost their auctioneer. At the time, we were dating, so I rode along with him just to see what it was about, having never attended an auto auction.

“The third week into this job, the clerk didn’t show up so they put me on the block with Joe. We continued working this auction for a few years together, which opened more doors for Joe in the auto arena. His next opportunities came with Mercer Auto Auction (now ADESA Pittsburgh), D-A Auto Auction (Pittsburgh Independent) and Butler, Pa. (now Manheim Pittsburgh). While traveling the auto auction circuit, the small auction we were working in Fairmont, W. Va., began having financial problems and closed. We saw the need for a facility in West Virginia, leased a small piece of ground and opened a two-lane facility. Our career in the auction business began,” she continued.

Recalling her first impression of NAAA, Pyle declared, “We loved it!” The couple joined NAAA to expand their auction business from dealer-only to also include fleet/lease.

“As any good auction owner does, we cased the (NAAA convention) halls and receptions for a few targeted representatives. Having found one from Tupperware, we approached him and explained that we were a small auction in West Virginia and wanted to expand our business. After giving the normal sales pitch, the gentleman said put your card in my coat pocket, and I will send you some cars. ‘My hands are greasy, and I don’t want to ruin your card from eating these finger foods,’ he said. As we walked away, we were thinking there is no way in the world that will ever come to fruition. The very next week we got our first pickups from Tupperware and had a wonderful working relationship with that company. Don’t we all wish it were that easy today!”

Pyle found herself hooked, saying it was exciting to watch the auto industry progress so quickly. She noted that her fellow NAAA members also really went out of their way to help her.

“Our first convention was in San Diego, and one of the first people I met was Barbara Wheatley. Being together in the Southern Zone, she immediately took me under her wing and told me where I needed to be and what I needed to do. Looking back, it was a tremendous relief to have such a kind, caring person to show a newcomer the ropes and she insisted I get involved,” Pyle said. “I will forever be grateful to her and thankful for her generosity.”

During her second convention, Wheatley asked Pyle to take notes for the Independent Committee since she had to be at two different meetings at once.

“After the meeting, I met her in the hall and tried to give her the notes,” Pyle fondly remembered with a grin. “She sweetly asked me to present them at the national board meeting. After my presentation, the meeting came to an end and Barbara says: ‘Charlotte, that was a wonderful job, you are now the independent secretary and will need to do this for every meeting. Congratulations!’ I still laugh at the way my sweet Southern belle connived me!”

Other members who have served as mentors to Pyle include Ruth Hart-Stevens, Patty Stanley and Keith Lelux.

Pyle has served on a variety of NAAA committees over the years, but the one closest to her heart is co-chairing the Independent Auction Group for 10 years. In addition, she was on the founding committee of the scholarship foundation, convention committee, the mentor program and has served as both board and president chairs of the Southern Zone.

Turning to a more serious topic, Pyle acknowledged the hard times auctions are currently facing with low inventory volume due to fewer off-lease units and fewer new-car sales.

“The auto auction industry has seen a few downturn years in volumes with the lack of inventory from lease returns, repos and rental fleets, but this setback in numbers has only caused our attendance to grow by leaps and bounds, thus achieving outstanding prices for the consignor,” she pointed out.

Pyle noted that the industry has responded to the downturn in volume by “expanding their visions into the specialty arena. Equipment, campers, boats and yellow iron are all avenues we would not have spend much time promoting had the automobile volumes not dropped so drastically.”

Speaking out and offering advice to other auctions, she stressed, “Look at your company with a fresh set of eyes. We all go to work every day and probably miss the obvious because we are so focused on the day-to-day tasks ahead. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t have the drive, so make the corrections you have been putting off and move forward. Tighten your belt, make necessary changes and keep a good attitude.”

She went on to say, “Tough times will be here forever so FOCUS (Forget Outside Chatter and Hang Tough). “

Touching upon the debate of clicks versus bricks, or online auctions versus physical brick and mortar auctions, Pyle shared her opinion with Auto Remarketing.

“I believe there will always be a need for both. Give years ago, none of us would have believed you would buy groceries via the Internet, but it’s happening all over the country. Needs of dealers will always be varied, and I feel they will use whatever channel they are the most comfortable with,” Pyle explained.

So what are her key goals as the new NAAA president? Pyle boils this down to its essence.

“One of my goals is to build not only a better, stronger and viable association, but to equip owners and managers across the country to take home lessons learned at our functions that will make them a better employer, employee and person. I’m working on an exciting NAAA Institute that I believe will fulfill a lot of individual personal goals of an auction owner/manager and will give them fuel for the future of their business,” she told Auto Remarketing.

On a more personal note, Pyle added, “This association means a lot to me. I have been involved with many committees from chairing to just being a visitor and have always attended as many meetings as possible. Two committees in particular that are very dear to my heart are the Independent Auction Group and the Convention Committee. By helping to establish quality events, offer good education and putting on a wow convention, I believe remarketers, as well as first-time attendees will want to continue being a part of this viable association. I am very proud to be your leader and promise to do the best job I can in making our industry aware that auto auctions across the country are where you want your vehicles to be. Thank you for this opportunity. I will forever be grateful.”