FRANKLIN, Tenn. -

Auction Academy, an education program developed by TPC Management Company, celebrated welcoming its inaugural class earlier this month. And its first quarterly session, held over the May 3–5 weekend in Nashville, Tenn., “exceeded expectations,” according to the company.

Randall McCathren, chief operating officer of Auction Academy, noted, “The first session exceeded our expectations in every aspect.

"The ‘Next Generation Owner’ course, a two-year training and development program for the sons and daughters of today’s independent auction owners, includes 16 students representing 14 independent auto auctions and one vendor company.  This group will move together as a cohesive class over the two-year curriculum, with classes held quarterly in different cities around the country,” he explained.

And what spurred the organization of the Academy in the first place?

Officials explained that the Auction Academy was concerived by industry leaders who “saw the need for a formal program to train auction owners of the future.”

Pierre Pons, president of TPC Management offered his take on the new program, sharing, “The enthusiasm shown by the members of the inaugural class and the support of their parents has been tremendous.  We particularly want to thank Lynn Weaver, Bob McConkey, Jeff Barber, Charlotte Pyle and Henry Stanley who were the originators of this concept and the driving forces in getting this program off the ground.

“Equally important has been the backing of the initial program sponsors: Black Book, Design Works-AMG, Used Car News, Direct Reconditioning, Capital Automotive Reconditioning who were the initial Sponsors of the Academy program, as well as Henry & Patty Stanley of Carolina and Indiana Auto Auctions who sponsored the First Session in Nashville.  All of these companies came on-board with their full support for an as-yet untried concept, and we could not have done this without them,” he continued, thanking those who have had a part in getting the program off the ground and running.

Officials also highlighted just who attended the first session of the Auction Academy, as follows: Bobby Bailey (Mid-South Auto Auction), Josh Bailey (Charleston AA); Beth and Emily Barber (State Line AA); Cody Boswell (KCIAA and Missouri AA), Chrissy Briggs-Sellstrom (Greater Erie AA); Charles Wyatt Carter (SADE); Kevin Jackson (Pittsburgh Independent AA); Aaron and Brian McConkey (DAA Northwest); Dustin Nutter (Direct Reconditioning); Aaron and Andrew Pyle (Capital City A/A and Mountain State AA); Britney Smith (Dealers AA of Idaho); Tad Swift (Corry ADE); and Clint Weaver (Harrisburg AA).

And course instructors for the first session included: Rick Guyer and Kay Hudson of Complete Automotive Reconditioning, Pierre Pons of TPC Management, David Nutter of Direct Reconditioning, and Joe Miller of AutoIMS.

And the Summer Session will be held in Spokane, Wash., the week of July 16th, in conjunction with DAA Northwest’s Rock and Roll Sale, officials shared.

McCathren also revealed that enrollment is now open for Auction Academy’s second Class Group. 

“He notes that while the first group was specifically geared toward the sons and daughters of independent auto auctions and related companies, the next Class Group will be open to any auction personnel,” officials explained.

Moreover, Auction Academy will simultaneously open enrollment to independent auto auction operators and financial executives who have interest in participating in an Auction Performance Group — a 20 Group-style program, with a focus on financial benchmarking.

For additional information about Auction Academy, contact Randall McCathren by email:  rmccathren@auctionacademy.net, or telephone: (615) 383-1930 or visit the website.