John Poteet, a longtime auction owner/operator and recipient of one of the National Auto Auction Association’s most prestigious honors, has joined TPC Management Company as an industry associate and management advisor.

TPC president Pierre Pons said Poteet will focus on the firm’s advisory work with auction owners evaluating whether to sell their businesses, and assisting independent auction owners in preparing for sale.

“As an auction owner/operator himself having gone through the sale of his business, John has a keen understanding of and empathy for this critical process,” Pons said in a news release.

John Poteet

Poteet’s auction career goes back to 1989, when he joined Newburgh Auto Auction as manager of finance and office operations. After serving as general manager of Greater Group’s New Orleans Auto Auction — where he reported to Pons, an executive of the Greater Group –— Poteet in 2002 founded Louisiana’s 1st Choice Auto Auction, which he owned and managed for 20 years before selling to E-Block in 2022.

Poteet’s lifetime of service to the auction industry was recognized in 2023, when he was presented with NAAA’s Pioneer Award.

Pons said Poteet, who has served on the faculty of TPC’s Auction Academy continuing education program, will continue teaching as well as supporting curriculum development.

“John brings well over 30 years of experience in the auction industry and is highly regarded as an auction operator, personnel manager and business analyst,” Pons said. “He brings a breadth of experience and expertise to our firm, and we know he will make an exceptional contribution to both TPC Management and Auction Academy.”

Poteet said TPC Management holds a “unique position” in the remarketing industry.

“No other organization in the industry can do what TPC does,” he said, “offering services that anyone in any segment of the industry can benefit from — management training, management analysis, business development, strategic consulting and planning for mergers, acquisitions or divestitures.

“Added to that, TPC’s development of Auction Academy is an enormous asset to our industry. Auction Academy offers an unparalleled opportunity for people who want to excel in their auction careers, offering them training and exposure to experts in the industry they would not otherwise get. I believe Auction Academy is one of the most valuable tools we have in the industry, and I am excited to expand my role with the Academy as well.”