CHICAGO -

As the National Auto Auction Association convention prepared to conclude last week, the group welcomed several industry veterans into its Hall of Fame, including Dan Kennedy, of General Motors; Tim West, of Black Book; Alexis Jacobs, of Columbus Fair Auto Auction; and the Exhibitor of the Year award went to Ralph Robinson, of Auto Use.

GM remarketing national sales manager Dan Kennedy was inducted into the NAAA Hall of Fame.

Membership in the Hall of Fame, established in 1968, recognizes individuals whose long-term service to the auto auction industry and NAAA has contributed improvements to remarketing as a whole, has worked with the trade organization to benefit its members and has consistently followed the high standards of the association’s Code of Ethics, according to officials.

Kennedy has spent the past quarter century of his 34-year career with GM in its remarketing organization, during which GM has sold 14 million vehicles at auction. That experience has provided him with a thorough understanding of the industry’s needs, NAAA revealed.

As national sales manager, Kennedy is responsible for devising and instituting all processes and programs associated with GM’s vehicle remarketing activities.

“From a remarketer’s aspect, Dan does an excellent job in preparing vehicles for our member auctions,” stated NAAA chairman of the board and past president David Angelicchio. “His support has been extremely helpful in facilitating a smooth working relationship with our industry, especially during intense times of transition in implementing changes, such as has occurred in the past eighteen months. Dan’s accessibility, availability and willingness to assist our members make him an admirable business partner and worthy inductee in the NAAA Hall of Fame.”

Starting at GM as a college intern in 1977, Kennedy became a full-time employee following graduation from Oakland University in Michigan with a finance degree a year later. He worked in the GM Finance Group, and then the Customer Sales & Service-Dealer Service Group, while earning a master’s degree in management from Central Michigan University.

His career even includes a brief tour with H. Ross Perot and his Electronic Data Systems firm after GM acquired the company in 1984.

Two years later, Kennedy entered the auction industry in GM’s Customer Sales & Service-Used Car Activities department. By 1991, Kennedy became administrator of the department. Later, he served as the finance manager for GM Fleet Operations where he oversaw of all departmental operating budgets. He was also a special project manager within GM’s Fleet Redistribution Staff, acting as the departmental interface with GMAC for auctions and sales consolidation and coordinating the GM auction participation of GM’s overseas dealers. In 1999, he was named to his current position.

West Honored

Black Book vice president and North American auction director Tim West was inducted into the NAAA Hall of Fame, as well, during the 63rd annual conference this week in Chicago.

“Tim is extremely knowledgeable, personable and dependable,” remarked Angelicchio. “He’s out there exchanging ideas and sharing information with our members. His efforts have earned him respect as a trusted friend and advisor to many auction owners and general managers. He embodies what it means to be a true NAAA stalwart. I can think of few others who’d better serve as an honored member of our Hall of Fame.”

West joins three of his Black Book associates previously inducted in the NAAA Hall of Fame: Gene McDonald, Dave Cape and Bob Burnett.

“It’s truly a great honor both for Tim and his wife Kemi and their two children Lawler and Hope, whose support helped him reach this professional pinnacle, as well as for his extended Black Book family,” noted Tom Cross, company president. “We couldn’t be more proud. I sincerely thank the NAAA and all our friends in the industry for recognizing Tim’s contributions over these many years.”

Since he began his career with Black Book in 1984 as an editorial assistant, West has worked diligently to build personal relationships with those in the industry, according to NAAA. During the next decade he served as editor of both the Old Car and Domestic Car guides, then as assistant field coordinator and North American auction director.

In that position, West expanded and grew the connections and support during the transition from locally owned auctions to many being corporate owned and operated. He also manages the overall industry interaction vital to Black Book’s ability to provide accurate and timely information, and oversees the production department, ensuring the quality of the printing and shipping of all the printed guides.

Prior to Black Book, West worked at the1st National Bank of Gainesville and Shelby Publishing following his graduation from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Jacobs Takes Home Pioneer Award

During this week’s event, NAAA honored Alexis Jacobs, owner and president of Columbus Fair Auto Auction, as a pioneer of the industry for her professional achievements and many contributions to the remarketing profession.

This Industry Pioneer Award, given to those who have worked in the wholesale motor vehicle industry and/or NAAA, recognizes an individual who has innovated or enhanced methods of improving services to remarketers through NAAA member auctions; has championed NAAA member auctions as providing services for motor vehicle remarketers unavailable from any other source; and has consistently followed the ethical standards of the NAAA Code of Ethics.

“Alexis has deep roots in the industry, which began at age 12 working in her father’s auction, growing to learn hands-on every aspect of the business and develop relationships throughout the industry,” noted owner and Chairman of BSCAmerica Auction Ray Nichols, a past NAAA president. “She is also a passionate, forward-thinking business leader who has been supportive of new initiatives and the NAAA, as well as a personally kind, gracious and generous lady.”

Jacobs unexpectedly found herself in charge at a young age of the business started in 1959 by her father William upon his sudden death. She persevered to build a successful company in a male-dominated industry. What began as a one-lane auction leasing space at the Ohio State Fairgrounds now sells more than 190,000 vehicles annually at its 11-lane, 85-acre site in Obetz, Ohio.

This accomplishment reflects Jacobs’ willingness to innovate and do things differently while never losing sight of the basic business philosophy learned from her father — the core values of customer service and fair practices, NAAA reported.

She continues to spearhead the growth of added-value services that support the base business and expand into additional profit centers as well as invest in cutting-edge technology. Furthermore, she was one of the original founders of ServNet.

Jacobs has been active in various trade associations, civic groups and charitable organizations. She has been involved with NAAA for more than four decades, including five years as Chair of the Legislative Committee before becoming the association’s second woman president in 1996.

According to NAAA, Jacobs is a champion of efforts to enhance member services and promote legislative initiatives that benefit the industry. Her numerous philanthropic deeds include giving her time and money to help the homeless and orphans, youth clubs and scholarships.

“Over the years Alexis has generously befriended many people in a variety of professions as a mentor, willing to share her knowledge and leadership skills,” said past NAAA president Larry Tribble, owner and president of Southern Auto Auction. “Her ethics and high standards have made her successful for the simple fact that people just want to do business with her. She truly embodies all the qualities this award esteems and is greatly deserving of this honor.”

Exhibitor of the Year Revealed

Ralph Robinson, national auctions director for Auto Use, has been named the Marie Hingst Exhibitor of the Year for 2011 by the NAAA.

The award is given each year to recognize an exhibitor who displays a similar dedication and commitment to the NAAA as its namesake and first recipient in 2006, Marie Hingst.

“Ralph has proved to be a real asset as both an exhibitor and service provider from day one when his company became involved with our association,” noted Angelicchio. “Since 2002, he’s been a friendly and familiar face at the Auto Use booth and his enthusiasm as an exhibitor has earned him this honor.”

Robinson began his career in March 1998 with Auto Use, an independent finance company based in Andover, Mass., which has provided the automotive industry with more than 25 years of service to thousands of franchise and independent auto dealers, NAAA reported.

He originally held the position of auction relationship manager but quickly rose through the ranks to his current position. In his early years, Robinson played an intricate part in growing the company’s auction and floor plan business and is now firmly entrenched in all facets of the auction relationship, along with retail and floor plan development responsibilities.

His prior experience in automotive sales provided the foundation for his transition to the dealer finance side of the industry. Robinson entered the auto business with short stints at Wilmington Hyundai and Bob Brest Chevrolet. He then spent 10 years at Jim Witt Pontiac, GMC in various sales positions, eventually becoming general sales manager, according to NAAA.

A native of Cambridge, Mass., Robinson graduated from the University of New Hampshire, which he attended on a full hockey scholarship and served as the team captain his senior year. He and his wife of more than 25 years, Kathy, have two children, Lindsay, 22, and Taylor, 20.