Ellie Johnson Elected NAAA Vice President

ORLANDO, FL— Ellie Johnson will be vice president of the National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) for the 2012-2013 term, serving on the executive board with President Paul Lips and President-elect Jack Neshe. The association, which represents more than 300 member auctions in North America, elected the Manheim North Carolina general manager at its 64th annual conference in Orlando.

Johnson has served on the board of directors of the NAAA’s Southern Chapter and held the office of that chapter’s treasurer, vice president and president. Currently she continues her more than 10 years of service on the association’s membership committee.

“It has been my pleasure to be a part of NAAA for over a decade and while I feel I’ve been able to contribute in my past capacities, I believe I can do considerably more serving on the executive board,” Johnson said. “I’m grateful to the members for their vote of confidence in me by electing me to this position. I truly look forward to serving them as their vice president.”

A major focus in her new role will be legislative advocacy. “We’re already seeing the value of strength in numbers in the recent positive results of our advocacy efforts,” Johnson noted. “Cooperation between corporate and independent auctions is key to our ongoing success. I am committed to working together to be a strong voice on the issues that can impact our members.”

One such item on her advocacy agenda would be a push for a uniform title system to streamline processes and help auctions achieve more efficient, cost-effective operations. Another goal of Johnson’s is to help members keep up to date with technology that can improve management, boost sales, strengthen service and enrich customer satisfaction.

Johnson literally has a lifetime of experience in the auction profession. Her father, Kenneth Aycock, was an auctioneer who after almost 30 years in the business started Aycock Auto Auction in 1984. It is now Manheim North Carolina, in Kenly , N.C., where Johnson has been general manager since 1997. She joined her father at the auction soon after earning an accounting degree and real estate broker’s license, working the front office processing vehicle registrations, then as business manager and controller. In addition to NAAA, her professional memberships have included the Carolinas Independent Automobile Dealers Association (CIADA) and the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA), which twice honored her with its Eagle Award for outstanding achievement in membership development.

Today Johnson resides in Kenly with her daugher where she is involved with numerous civic groups and charitable organizations. She is active in the Chamber of Commerce, Community Watch, the town planning board and tourism committee. Johnson established two scholarships for graduating high school seniors and avidly supports the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, raising over $100,000. Her auto auction also gives back to the community by sponsoring local FHA and 4-H programs as well as the annual food and toy drive.