CHARLESTON, S.C. — The recently launched American Auto Auction Group announced the management teams for Charleston Auto Auction in Charleston, S.C., and Rea Brothers' Mid-South Auto Auction in Pearl, Miss., which are the group's flagship facilities.

Promoted to the role of general manager at Charleston AA is Laura Taylor, while Bill McCready moves up to assistant general manager. Remaining as national remarketing manager is Chris Wise.

"Laura, Bill and Chris have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to personalized customer service, and have been an inspiration to our customers and our employees for many years," noted Keith Lelux, founder and chief operating officer of AAAG.

"I am proud that they will serve on our team as GM, assistant GM and national remarketing manager, respectively," he added.

Meanwhile, at Rea Brothers' Mid-South AA, John Rea remains general manager and Butch Royall remains vice president of sales and marketing.

"There is no place like home, and partnering with American Auto Auction Group while continuing to live and work in my beloved state of Mississippi is truly a dream come true for me and for my family," Rea commented.

Royall added: "I've been a car guy all my life, and I truly love this business. The Rea family has become my family, and I'm thrilled that we have teamed up with the American Auto Auction Group."

Moving on, AAAG shared a bit of the industry experience of these management team members.

Starting with Taylor, her 20 years in the business includes roles in auction office management, sales management, title processing, accounting and auction software operations. Taylor became a part of Charleston AA's management team in 2004.

"I am honored and excited to lead our great team at Charleston Auto Auction as we continue to provide our dealers with the excellent service they have come to expect from us," said Taylor.

Next up was McCready, whose early days in the industry were spent as leasing consultant for a Pennsylvania Cadillac franchise. In that role, he earned the General Motors Mark of Excellence. Eventually, he served in such roles as e-commerce manager and marketing manager at Charleston AA, and has developed skills in auction advertising, sales, dealer registration, online sales and sale-day operations, officials noted.

"Working with Keith Lelux for these past four years has been like getting your Ph.D in the auction industry," McCready joked.

"I am thrilled to be working side by side with Laura Taylor to continue to grow the auction," he added. "Superior customer service has made us a national award-winning auction, and I am proud to be part of this team."

Continuing on, Wise has been in the remarketing industry for 28 years and has worked for Charleston AA since 2003. Executives noted that he was the first person in the U.S. to be recognized as a Certified Auto Remarketer.

"It's a true pleasure to be able to say that I love my job, my company and my customers," Wise stated. "I am so very proud to be part of the Charleston Auto Auction team and to continue to expand our business under the AAAG banner."

Rea — the grandson of Cecil Rea, who founded the family's business — began his industry experience as a youth, serving as "Jack of All Trades" on sale days and worked in the family business until 1994. At that time, he became the fleet/lease manager of ADESA's Charlotte auction.

Then from 1997 to 2000, he was general manager at ADESA Austin before returning to Rea Brothers'.

In 2008, Rea served as president of the National Auto Auction Association.

Meanwhile, Royall spent his early days in the industry with Chrysler, General Motors and GE before going on to work for ADT and BSC America. He then became vice president of sales and marketing and national remarketing manager at Rea Brothers.