World Automobile Auctioneer Champions Named at Sanford Auto Dealers Exchange

SANFORD, FL - Top auto auctioneers and ring people from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom came together in Sanford, Fla., Friday, March 30, to vie for the coveted title of “World Champion” in 24^th Annual World Automobile Auctioneers Championship. Competition was fierce and the chants were spirited as 78 contestants competed for three world championships.

This is the second year running that Sanford Auto Dealers Exchange (SADE), a ServNet auction, has hosted the event.  In addition to the live crowds on hand for the competition, NIADA TV broadcast the championship live for the first time receiving over 125,000 viewers.

"We were very pleased to return to SADE for this year’s championships,” said Col. Paul C. Behr, president of the World Wide College of Auctioneering. “The facility is well-suited for the event, the owners Michael Tumminello and Jeff Brody were extremely gracious hosts, and the auction staff handled all the details brilliantly.”

Cheri Boots Sutton, of Belton Missouri was named 2012 World Champion. It was Boots Sutton’s 11th year participating in the championship, and she becomes the first woman to win the coveted title. In the Ringman Division, Preston Hardee of Kentucky was crowned Champion Ringman. In the Team Competition, James Benton Pendleton & Dustin Taylor won the top prize.

“We were honored to host the World Auctioneer Championships again at SADE,” said Mike Tumminello. “It is an extraordinary thing to see so many talented auctioneers in action, and a wonderful opportunity to host the professionals who work so hard for us in the business of buying and selling vehicles.”

“The ServNet auctions applaud SADE’s in hosting back-to-back championships,” said ServNet’s Pierre Pons, who attended both the 2011 and 2011 events at SADE. “It is not often that an auction has the opportunity to open its doors to people from all areas of the auction business.  The participation of auctioneers, ringmen, independent auction owners and the presidents of the two corporate auction companies shows support for the event across the board and lends solidarity to our industry.”

Serving as judges were representatives from many different segments of the auto auction industry, including auto remarketers, executives, auctioneers and an auction owner: Robert Wagner, Asset Remarketing National Manager for Hyundai Motor Finance Company; Tim Riley, President of Midway Auto Auction; Sandy Schwartz, President of Manheim; Tom Caruso, CEO and President of Adesa; Brian Garner, Remarketing Manager for Automotive Resources International; Scott Eyster, Assistant Vice President of Asset Remarketing for US Bank; Greg Duff, National Remarketing Manager for Automotive Credit Corporation; Thomas Grady, Southeast Wholesale Manager for Avis Budget Group; Christie King, President of the National Auctioneers Association; Charlotte Pyle, President of the National Auto Auction Association; Neal Davis, the 1996 World Champion Auto Auctioneer; Jack Rennels, Vice President of Remarketing for Emkay Incorporated.

Sanford Auto Dealers Exchange (SADE) is an independent auto auction located in Central Florida, and a member of the ServNet Auction Group. Since its inception in 1991 SADE has become one of the fastest growing auctions in the Southeast attending to the remarketing needs of automobile dealers, national financial institutions, and lease and fleet companies.