It was tassel-turning time in the Windy City last month.

Coinciding with this year’s NAAA Convention in Chicago, Auction Academy’s seventh class completed the final session of its two-year curriculum, capped by a graduation ceremony.

Founded in 2012, Auction Academy now has celebrated the graduation of more than 135 students from its professional training program, which was created by industry consulting/advisory firm TPC Management.

In addition, 100 professionals from the remarketing industry have participated in the academy’s one-day seminar series programs.

Auction Academy’s graduating class arrived in Chicago a day early for a special event hosted by long-time sponsor NextGear Capital, whose Danny McNelis was one of the Class 7 graduates.  The group enjoyed an iconic Sunday afternoon of baseball, as the Chicago Cubs played at Wrigley Field.

The following day, the group began its final session with a visit to America’s Auto Auction – Chicago, where general manager Larry Hero hosted a tour of the facility and led discussions on auction processes. The group then met in the classroom for presentations by Pierre Pons of TPC Management, Tony Long of American Recovery Association, Cody Boswell of Missouri Auto Auction, and David Pendergraff of McConkey Auction Group.

Concluding the session was a panel discussion titled, “Getting the Most out of a Conference.” Several Auction Academy alumni participated, including Michael Waseity Jr. of Akron Auto Auction, Jeanine Cunningham of BSC America and a 2023 Women in Remarketing honoree and Jacob Warren of Louisiana’s 1st Choice Auto Auction.

During the NAAA Convention, students were the invited guests of the Independent Auction Group (IAG) at its business meeting. There, the graduates were acknowledged for their accomplishment and presented with plaques by IAG’s leadership team, including incoming executive director Dave Blake, former executive director Lynn Weaver and chairman Charlotte Pyle.

“We’re so pleased to mark the graduation of yet another group of outstanding Auction Academy students,” Auction Academy president Penny Wanna said in a news release.

“They’ve all worked hard and contributed so much during their two years of rigorous training, and they take their places among the industry’s leaders who have the knowledge, experience and commitment to maintain the health and strength of the industry,” Wanna continued.

Wanna noted the seventh class included 30 students from 17 states across the country, who represent a variety of disciplines within the automotive industry, including auction operations, floorplan and finance, technology and remarketing.

An online yearbook featuring the graduation class can be viewed via this website.

Following the graduation ceremony, Academy leaders and graduates enjoyed a a gala dinner and celebration, featuring more than 150 guests. That list included Paul Lipps of NAAA, Mark Coleman of IARA, and Dave Blake of IAG.

Throughout this year’s NAAA convention, the group marked the participation of a number of Auction Academy staff and graduates.  Of special note were Charlie Vogelheim, a member of Auction Academy’s faculty who presided as master of ceremonies; and Eric Autenrieth, CEO of the Stanley/Autenrieth Group and an Auction Academy alum, who was the keynote speaker at the graduation dinner and was inducted the next evening as president of the National Auto Auction Association.

“It has been a pleasure for all of us involved in Auction Academy to work with Class Group 7 over the course of the two-year program, and we extend our heartiest congratulations on their graduation,” TPC Management CEO Pierre Pons said. “From the beginning we have been impressed with their skill and their devotion, and we know that the members of the graduating class will positively impact both their own companies and the remarketing industry at large.

“We also want to acknowledge the support Auction Academy receives from industry partners who have been critical to the program’s success,” Pons continued. “As they collaborate with us on industry initiatives, participate in training and facilitate the tours, they bring a level of expertise to the classroom and share insights in many areas of the industry that is invaluable to Auction Academy students. Jiles Wanna is an essential member of our team whose industry connections and introductions lend to our evolving and progressive curriculum. We are also pleased to welcome our newest faculty member: this year’s NAAA Pioneer Award Winner, John Poteet, former owner/operator of Louisiana’s First Choice Auto Auction.”

Auction Academy’s newest class began its two-year course in August in Nashville, Tenn.  Its next meeting is set for Scottsdale, Ariz., during Used Car Week.

The eighth class is Auction Academy’s largest to date, with 31 students from around the country, representing auto auctions, finance companies, and other entities that provide services to the auto auction industry.

Auction Academy is a continuing education program developed by TPC for professionals in the auto remarketing industry.

Auction Academy’s two-year program provides a training and development experience, structured like an executive MBA program. With faculty drawn from expert practitioners around the country, Auction Academy’s programs are designed to enhance essential skill sets, promote best practices and yield better auction performance. The curriculum includes site visits, field trips, technical certifications and work with industry experts in all areas of auto auction operations.

For additional information about Auction Academy, contact Penny Wanna by telephone at (615) 591-4544 or by email at pwanna@auctionacademy.net, or visit the website www.auctionacademy.net.