XLerate Group, the parent company of America’s Auto Auction, has reinforced its sales and marketing departments by placing a trio of experienced wholesale market professionals into critical roles.

The latest move arrived on Friday when the company announced the appointment of Sawyer Walker as director of national sales for the combined wholesale operation. 

Walker started in the auction industry as a sales representative with the Brasher’s family auctions. Throughout the next decade, he continued his growth in the industry with regional and national sales management positions, joining America’s last year.

AAA senior vice president of sales Pat Dudash said in a news release, “Sawyer understands the dealers and buyers in our industry from a national perspective. We’re excited to have him join us as we continue to promote leadership and support for our 39 auctions, their dealers and our clients.”

AAA executive vice president Chuck Tapp added, “Sawyer’s experience exceeds his years in this industry. He has a natural expertise for sales, and I see him as an important component in the future successes of our company.”

The news release also contained Walker’s perspectives on taking this position.

“I am honored to be in this new and expanded sales role,” he said. “I look forward to building on my existing relationships and am excited to create new ones as I work with the strong team forged from XLerate Group and America’s Auto Auction.”

The action involving Walker isn’t the only personnel move by XLerate and AAA in recent days.

The company also named Melissa Miller as director of marketing and Kaetlin Sherk as national sales manager, as their new positions took effect immediately.

“The addition of Melissa and Kaetlin expands support of our 39 auctions, strongly operated by tenured GMs, and better prepares us to meet the needs of our customers,” Tapp said in another news release.

Tapp elaborated about what Miller brings to her position.

“Melissa Miller has worked in the auction industry for more than 26 years,” Tapp said. “She’s been a noteworthy leader at America’s Auto Auction Kansas City — growing from managing dealer sales to marketing manager — successfully leading their sales promotions, public relations and advertising team.” 

In reaction to being placed in this executive role, Miller said, “I am very honored to join with the XLerate Group|America’s Auto Auction leadership team I’m excited to work on the merger of these two successful groups into one national auction powerhouse.”

Meanwhile, the company highlighted Sherk, who joins AAA as national sales manager, has also risen in the ranks of the auction arena from driver and block clerk to fleet/lease manager and GSM at Columbus Fair Auto Auction.

“I realized early on that I had a passion for connecting with customers as well as an eye for analyzing data and spotting trends to help customers increase retention values and sales percentages,” Sherk said. “During my time at Columbus Fair, I focused on using these same tools to penetrate our dealer market and maximize market share.”

Dudash offered his assessment of what Sherk will bring to her post with AAA.

“Kaetlin built a top-performing sales and marketing team at Columbus Fair by focusing on client relationships and leveraging our company’s national brand presence to increase their commercial consignment,” Dudash said. “We look forward to that same energy and success on a national level.”