The National Auto Auction Association announced its latest choice for its Industry Pioneer Award, a new memorial scholarship and donations on behalf of its outgoing president last week as it wrapped up the 2024 NAAA World Remarketing Convention in Orlando, Fla.

Tribble selected as Industry Pioneer

Larry Tribble Jr., chairman and owner of Southern Auto Auction in East Windsor, Conn., was honored as an Industry Pioneer for his leadership and exemplary service to the wholesale auto auction industry and NAAA, the association said.

The Industry Pioneer Award is presented to individuals in the wholesale auto industry who have innovated or enhanced methods of improving services to remarketers through NAAA member auctions, have championed NAAA member auctions by providing services for remarketers unavailable from any other source, and have consistently followed NAAA’s Code of Ethics.

Larry Tribble

Tribble, who served as NAAA president in 1998 and was inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame in 2007, is the seventh person to have earned all of NAAA’s three highest honors.

Southern Auto Auction — the largest independent auto auction in the U.S. — is celebrating its 77th anniversary this year, and Tribble’s family has been involved with NAAA and the auto auction industry for nearly 70 of them.

Larry Tribble’s, Larry Sr., was NAAA president in 1964 and is also a member of the Hall of Fame. His son-in-law, Southern Auto Auction president Garrison Hudkins, is also an NAAA past president, having held the office in 2023.

In a news release, the association said Tribble “has been a steadfast supporter of NAAA and has been a large part of the wholesale auto auction industry’s continued success.”

Ron Hope Memorial Scholarship established for Auction Academy

During the convention, outgoing NAAA president Eric Autenrieth announced the creation of the Ron Hope Memorial Scholarship for Auction Academy, honoring CARS Recon founder, CEO and chairman Ron Hope, who passed away in June.

Hope, who worked in the auto auction industry for more than 50 years, founded CARS Recon more than 20 years ago. The company has since reconditioned more than 8 million vehicles for auctions throughout U.S., and has grown from 12 employees to more than 200 at shops in five states, as well as a presence in the U.K.

Ron Hope

The NAAA Executive Committee established the Ron Hope Memorial Scholarship to honor his legacy and cover the tuition cost for a student going through the two-year Auction Academy program, developed by TPC Management Company for professionals in the auto auction industry.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Hope began his automotive career with Chrysler in the 1960s and moved into the auto auction sector in roles with ADT Auction Group and ADESA. NAAA said Hope was passionate about the association and its mission to give back to its members and was a strong supporter of Auction Academy.

AutoIMS donates to charities on behalf of Autenrieth

AutoIMS announced donations of $2,500 each to Anderson Interfaith Ministries in Anderson, S.C., and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University on behalf of outgoing NAAA president Eric Autenrieth.

AutoIMS CEO Venkat Krishnamoorthy announced the donations as Autenrieth concluded his term as president during the convention.

The 2024 donations were the fifth made since Krishnamoorthy began a tradition of making charitable contributions on behalf of the outgoing NAAA president in 2020 to promote the auction community’s giving spirit and to recognize the hard work and dedication of the outgoing NAAA president.

Anderson Interfaith Ministries is a nonprofit organization that meets the needs of under-resourced individuals and families in Anderson County, S.C. For almost three decades, AIM has connected people with support, resources and education to empower themselves to become self-sufficient.

Winship Cancer Institute of Atlanta’s Emory University is Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. The institute is researching, developing, teaching and providing novel and effective ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, treat and survive cancer.