CARY, N.C. -

Todd Briggs of Greater Erie Auto Auction took on his first role within the automotive industry driving cars for an auction house at the age of 20 in December of 1970, following a layoff from construction work for the winter.

Some five decades later and after a long career, Briggs is taking time to travel.

Briggs, a long-time auctioneer, and wife, Patty — who have owned and operated Greater Erie Auto Auction for 14 years — are passing the torch of leadership to the next generation.

The auction announced last month that the Briggs’ daughter Chrissy Briggs-Sellstrom will now be in charge of the day-to-day responsibilities and has been promoted to GEAA general manager. Auction sales representative Ryan Russell will take on her former role as assistant GM, the company said.

While Todd Briggs ended his auto industry career with a long-term stint in the wholesale business, the first business he owned was on the retail side.

Previously, he operated his own independent auto dealership, Todd’s Gas Buggies, in Sugar Grove, Pa., for over 20 years.

When asked about passing the baton to GEAA’s next generation and what piece of advice he would give, Briggs said: “One of the most important things would be we treat people right, and whether they be small or big, buyer or seller — either one. Sometimes, we may even need to bend the rules a little bit; maybe a customer is not really officially ‘in the right’, but you have a soft spot in your heart … and try to just help them out.”

“That’s helped us immensely — it really has,” Briggs added.

Briggs and his wife started construction on the GEAA location just 15 years ago, and recently hosted a 14-year anniversary sale to commemorate the day the auction’s doors opened for its inaugural sale.

While Briggs acknowledges that the role of the internet has changed overall operations in recent years, he remains confident that the physical auction houses still have their unique value.

“There’s a bunch more online and internet buying, but at the end of the day, serious car people still like a brick and mortar auction and want to walk around and touch the vehicles. And I understand that there’s a lot online — we do a lot online, but I don’t think that parts going away anytime soon,” he said.

Briggs-Sellstrom, who grew up working in her parents' garage reconditioning vehicles for their used-car lot, said that along with sharing their positive outlook and work ethic, she wants to see GEAA continue to grow both in lane and online under her leadership.

“I have always had a passion for the auction business, Growing up with an auctioneer family, you get addicted to the ‘auction adrenaline’,” she said.

Moreover, while his retirement plans include time away from the industry, Briggs said, “I still a have a lot of auction blood in me.” But it is also the right time to travel with his wife, Briggs explained. 

“If we’re going to do it, now’s the time. While we’re still good and healthy and can do it,” he said. “But you still can’t get all of the auction blood out of a person.”

As an auctioneer, Briggs explained that he’s sold at auctions on a regular basis and will continue to do so even though he stepping away from the day-to-day operations at GEAA. 

Excluding the winter months — when he’ll be warm in Florida —the veteran auctioneer said that he will continue to do sales for Insurance Auto Auctions at salvage auctions every other week and spend time at upcoming sales connected to the Cummings and Briggs Auctioneers public auction firm he manages.

“That’s kind of our goal,” Briggs said. “We want to spend some time in Florida, up on Lake Chautauqua here in Jamestown, N.Y.,  travel some in our mobile home … the auction is in good hands as we speak.”