LAS VEGAS – Mike Hockett, CEO of Auction Broadcasting Company (ABC) received the Circle of Excellence Award last weekend at the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance’s (IARA) Roundtable Series Conference at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Dave Alfonso of Kia Motors presented the award. Hockett brings more than 35 years of experience to the wholesale auction business.

In 1979, Hockett and a partner started Auto Dealers Exchange (ADE) in Indianapolis and by 1982, it had become the largest auto auction in the Midwest. In 1988, Hockett served as ADESA’s CEO. The company grew exponentially and was eventually purchased by Minnesota Power.

Hockett then went on to form ABC with Carl Miskotten, Trent Knox, and Bob Rauschenberg. Hockett knew from the onset that a new auction company would have to offer the industry new opportunities. Therefore, Online Ringman, the first live interactive auction was introduced. The new ABC auctions have actual online theaters, and also introduced ReconRamp, which are automated recon centers. Another first in the industry, and within the last few weeks, Hockett introduced ABX, a new technological innovation.

ABC now operates 10 sites throughout the country, recently adding sites in Atlanta; Southeast Florida; and Murfreesboro, Tenn.

The Circle of Excellence Award is presented to the individual who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the betterment of society and to the remarketing industry. This individual is universally recognized for his or her significant contributions. Last year’s award winner was Mike Richardson, retired CEO and president of the former ADT Automotive auction chain, which was broken up and sold to Manheim and ADESA in 2000.