The 2024 World Automobile Auctioneers Championship produced a feel-good moment for a hometown kid — and his son.

Richard “TJ” Freije won the event’s most coveted prize — the title of world champion auto auctioneer — last week at ADESA Indianapolis in Plainfield, Ind., a quick 20-minute drive from Clayton, Ind., where Freije & Freije Auctioneers is based.

Making it even sweeter for Freije was sharing the moment with his son, Tyce, who finished third in the auctioneer competition. Tyce, who represents the fourth generation of the family in the auction business, was also third in the team competition with ringman partner Taylor Knotts.

TJ Freije, who has grown the family’s personal property and real estate auction business into a nationally recognized firm for classic car auctions, topped a field of more than 75 auctioneers to claim the title.

“Growing up in football and coaching, my nickname was ‘The Fridge,’ ” Freije said. “Our family and company talk a lot about ‘Team Fridge’ and what it means to be committed to family and our team.

“While this championship has been a major career goal, it pales in comparison to the goal of building a loving family at home and a dedicated team in our business.”

Levi Wesemann took the trophy as the world champion ringman, while Dustin Taylor and Dallas Massey claimed the team title. Taylor has now won seven championships in the ringman and team competitions, and Massey won the ringman title in 2017.

The WAAC is presented by the National Automobile Auction Association.

ServNet awards scholarships

ServNet awarded eight scholarships to students for the upcoming academic year in its 2024 Scholarship Program.

The program, established in 2016, provides scholarships to family members of ServNet auction employees who plan to pursue education in college or vocational school programs.

“As the leaders of family-owned businesses, ServNet owners take a deep personal interest in their employees,” ServNet administrative director Robert Sullivan said. “ServNet’s Scholarship Program is both an important way to support the families who work so hard in our industry and to invest in our collective future, laying the groundwork for the next generation.”

This year, ServNet presented $2,500 scholarships to eight students attending a four-year college or university.

The recipients are:

  • Austin Aanenson and Gage Aanenson, sons of Mid-State Auto Auction’s Jenny Aanenson. Austin will begin his junior year at North Dakota State, where he studies finance, while Gage will be a freshman business major at NDSU.
  • Isaac Everett, son of DAA Northwest’s Robyn Everett, received a scholarship for his second year of study through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s online program. He hopes to transfer to the university’s Florida campus as he pursues a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical science.
  • Lexi Faulkner, daughter of Greater Rockford Auto Auction’s Charles Faulkner, will enter the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh as a freshman this fall, working toward a degree in nursing.
  • Cassie Rogers, daughter of BSC America’s Specialty Sale general manager Tommy Rogers, is a junior at Liberty University, majoring in music and worship with a minor in Christian leadership.
  • Robert Rossi, a part-time employee of Auto Auction of New England and son of AANE’s Rob Rossi, will be a freshman year at Assumption University, where he’ll major in Finance and play baseball.
  • Alexis Rudolph, granddaughter of Mid-State Auto Auction’s Deb Rudolph, will be a freshman as the University of Wisconsin-Stout, studying interior design with a minor in real estate property management.
  • Hanna Tugado, daughter of BSC America Bel Air Auto Auction’s Diana Hendrickson-Tugado, will begins her college career at Temple University with a major in mechanical engineering.

Dealer wins $100,000 at Carolina Auto Auction sale

Dealer Glen Pounds celebrates after pulling the grand prize envelope during Carolina Auto Auction’s anniversary sale. Photo courtesy of Carolina Auto Auction.

Carolina Auto Auction’s recent anniversary sale paid off big for a dealer.

Glen Pounds of Toccoa Auto Mall on Toccoa, Ga., was among the participants in a game during the event at the auction in Anderson, S.C., opening the lucky envelope that revealed his $100,000 grand prize.

“It’s an amazing feeling to participate in moments like this,” CAA general manager Vann Humphrey said. “It speaks to the excitement of our sales events each week and our strong partnership with our customers.

“Our anniversary sale is just one example. We prioritize the customer experience each week and we are excited about creating more unforgettable moments and memories.”