Manheim Recognizes the Retirement of Industry Leaders

In recognition of Manheim’s 75th anniversary, the company is recognizing the careers of several distinguished company leaders who are retiring or retired in 2020.

“As we celebrate and reflect on our 75th anniversary, we will greatly miss these valued colleagues who contributed so much during their careers at Manheim,” said Manheim President Grace Huang. “Their ability to navigate and adapt to a changing industry, help clients achieve their goals and keep their teams motivated was invaluable to Manheim’s success over the years. We wish them all the best in their retirements.”

Pete Sauber, vice president and general manager of Manheim New Jersey, will retire on Jan. 31, 2021 after more than a 30-year automotive industry career. Sauber joined the company right out of college in 1985 as a management trainee and went on to assume roles of increasing responsibility before becoming general manager of Manheim New Jersey in 1991. His tenure there was marked by a strong record of financial performance for the company’s third largest location and the development and construction of the auction’s state-of-the-art 22-lane facility. 

Tony Markese, vice president of reconditioning, retired in September 2020 following a 22-year career with Manheim beginning as controller at Manheim Orlando. As vice president, operational excellence in the early 2000s, Markese helped to lead several large-scale change projects for the company. This included a $400 million initiative to modernize Manheim’s front office, finance, lot operations and vehicle check-in. Paul Halsch, assistant vice president of reconditioning, was promoted to fill Markese’s role. 

Butch Herdegen, vice president and general manager of Manheim Orlando, retired in December following a more than 30-year career with the company where he was an award-winning professional recognized for his excellence in remarketing, operations and sales. As GM of Manheim Orlando, he grew the site to become Manheim’s second largest location. JD Daniels was promoted to vice president-general manager of the Manheim Orlando-Central Florida Market Center upon Herdegen’s retirement. 

Ellie Johnson, general manager of Manheim Statesville and former NAAA president, retired in December. Johnson has been part of the Manheim family since she was five years old. She would go to work with her dad at a Manheim location in Virginia before formally starting her career in the front office of her dad’s auction, which later became Manheim North Carolina, in 1986. As NAAA president from 2014-2015, she was instrumental in launching an industry-wide safety awareness and accident prevention initiative. Mandy Savage assumed the role of general manager for Manheim Statesville in March. 

Tom Saldutte, general manager of Manheim Minneapolis, in December after a 33-year career that included multiple general manager and assistant general manager positions. He built a reputation as one of Manheim’s most effective mentors who always focused on the development and growth of the company’s next generation of leaders, according to the company. Butch Herdegen Jr. replaced Saldutte as general manager of the Minnesota Market Center.