CARY, N.C. -

Kelly McAllister described a scenario many young college graduates might encounter. McAllister just collected his degree when a friend mentioned the Manheim Dallas-Fort Worth location was looking to boost its auction sales staff.

Years later and still in the industry, McAllister expressed gratitude for the Manheim site that first hired him.

“Other than someone who inherits the industry as part of their family’s business, I have never met anyone who said that they planned to be in the automotive remarketing or auto auction business,” McAllister said.

“Almost every story I’ve ever heard about how someone ended up at an auction involved some type of temporary employment while they were waiting for a more permanent job opportunity,” he continued. “Then, before they know it, what started as a job becomes a profession.”

McAllister’s current position with XLerate Group means he’s responsible for the development and growth of the company’s presence in nontraditional sales channels. He also helps XLerate’s auctions “step outside of their conventional markets to further their customers’ remarketing success.”

Since beginning work with the XLerate Group auctions, McAllister also noted that he helped to develop their “outside the gate” strategy, resulting in 10 percent of the total vehicles listed on SmartAuction. XLerate Group also claimed the Most Innovative Auction Group Award during last year’s CAR Conference.

“I absolutely admire and respect my employers and co-workers at XLerate Group, especially Cam Hitchcock, Darris McClure and Pat Dudash,” McAllister said.

“I am also grateful for the people I have met throughout my career — Frank Post, Patti Bailey, John Swofford and Jim McAnally, whom I consider my mentor in this industry.  Each of these people have helped me in my career and are relationships in this industry I am grateful to have made,” McAllister went on to say.

Now firmly entrenched in the wholesale industry, McAllister acknowledged, “My story isn’t different.”

He continued, “I have noticed that people rarely leave this industry once they have a few years invested.  When you’re in, you tend to stay in, and I believe that has a lot to do with how dependent the used-car industry is on relationships. 

“The balance between auction and dealer and consignor is unique and sometimes fragile. This business requires a strong commitment to integrity if you intend to be successful,” McAllister concluded.

Kelly McAllister, 38, is director of online business development, XLerate Group.

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