Business awards accomplish more than just calling out top performers and noble deeds. They often inspire admirers by identifying less visible winners who excel in unique roles behind the scenes.

That was the benchmark this year at the Conference of Automotive Remarketing, held March 18-20 in San Diego. The event honored a roster of distinct recipients who advanced the quality of vehicle remarketing and its business reputation.

At the annual Remarketer and Consignor of the Year Awards, given by conference host Bobit Business Media, two women proved how steady daily work creates success.

2025 Remarketer of the Year

The Remarketer of the Year Award recognized Keely Smith, vice president of contracts and business services at AutoIMS, an Atlanta-based remarketing technology and data company. Smith has been a dedicated industry leader for 23 years and has centered her career on all types of compliance related to auction, consignment, and remarketing operations.

In this role, she also oversees contracts and client relations, ensuring the seamless operation of critical business functions.

Smith’s journey at AutoIMS began as customer service manager, where she played a key role in onboarding and training many of the company’s current auction and client partners. Before joining AutoIMS, she built a strong foundation in the telecommunications industry at MCI. This early industry disruptor helped reshape legal and regulatory frameworks, ultimately leading to the breakup of the AT&T monopoly. 

Smith was drawn to the company’s commitment to innovation and improving remarketing processes through technology. Her contributions to AutoIMS and the broader remarketing industry have been widely recognized. In 2011, she was honored as a “Woman in Remarketing,” in 2018, Remarketing by Element presented her with the Laurie Dobberphul Award for Outstanding Female Performer in Remarketing. 

Smith is also deeply involved in industry leadership, serving as an ARA Board Member, co-chair of the ARA Education and Compliance sub-committee, and a Councilwoman for GROW.

“I feel truly humbled, not just by this recognition, but by being able to work with all of the incredible people in this industry,” Smith said upon receiving the award. “AutoIMS isn't just about technology or transactions or vehicles, it's about relationships, and that's super important.” Smith thanked her leadership team and colleagues."

2025 Consignor of the Year

The Consignor of the Year Award was given to Lisa Prestidge, the remarketing manager at Element Fleet Management in Toronto, Ontario, where she has worked for over 10 years. In this role, Prestidge has driven sales growth and managed fleet solutions.

Prestidge has over 35 years of experience in the automotive industry. Before joining Element Fleet Management, Lisa spent more than 24 years at GMAC/ALLY/SmartAuction, where she honed her skills in analyzing vehicle values and understanding auction processes, while also gaining insight into the industry's economic cycles.

Prestidge also serves as the Co-Chair of the ARA Canadian Committee. She has received the Remarketer of the Year award and was recognized in 2022 for Women in Automotive.

Prestidge’s mission is to keep Canada Remarketing at the forefront. She works on various committees to ensure that the Canadian voice is heard, including serving as the Co-Chair for the Canadian Committee and assist with the Conference Committee & Events in both Canada and USA, as well as social media. 

She graduated fromGeorgian College with a degree in automotive marketing, and is CAR Certified and certified to sell in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

Prestidge has been especially enthusiastic about sharing knowledge and supporting women in automotive, whether they are starting their careers or have experienced long-term success.

“I must acknowledge my team at Element, because without them, I couldn't do what I do,” Prestidge said in accepting the award. “My fellow remarketing managers are incredibly supportive, whether I'm having a great week or facing challenges. We stand by each other through our weekly journeys and cheer each other on.” 

Prestidge also thanked fellow managers and a director. “They always have my back, willing to climb that hill for me to show support or provide guidance. In moments of frustration a nudge of encouragement from them helps to calm me down and reminds me that I've got this. 

“Throughout this journey, everyone has allowed me to come out of my shell, and I can truly see the difference in myself. Believe it or not, I can be shy — I know, shocking! I look forward to what the future holds within myself, my organization and this crazy but amazing industry.”

2025 ARA Circle of Excellence Award

The annual honor from the Automotive Remarketing Alliance took a rare turn this year in recognizing three Los Angeles-area credit unions for their extra efforts following the catastrophic Pacific Palisades and Altadena fires of Jan. 7. 

The credit unions recognized with the ARA Circle of Excellence Award include Firefighters FCU, Pasadena FCU, and Cal Tech Employees FCU. The credit unions handle vehicle loans and transactions related to vehicle remarketing and repossessions, while area auctions and remarketers sell cars for the credit unions.

The award recognizes remarketers who have made outstanding contributions to the remarketing industry and to society.

During the crisis, the FCUs have provided short-term loans and loan payment assistance to their members and helped supply and distribute air purifiers, water, and other essentials in their communities.

“At day one, we naturally kicked in and did everything possible for members who were affected,” said Joel Bowen, president of the Caltech Employees Federal Credit Union. “In our disaster recovery plan, we included the neighborhoods because we knew that all of these members live in a fire zone. We had over 200-plus members who either lost everything or lost a significant part of their homes. For day one, we provided emergency loans. No questions asked. People were delighted that we would open our books. Our goal as managers is to do whatever we can to help our members through this disaster.”

ARA Impact Award

The ARA for the first time introduced its Impact Award, which recognizes an ARA member who shows generous dedication of their time and expertise to ARA goals, committees, and efforts. It also celebrates people who influence the future of the remarketing industry.

The inaugural award feted Dave Sutton, the vice president of business development and industry relations at Montway Auto Transport. For the past 15 years, Sutton has played a key role in the success of the Certified Automotive Remarketer (CAR) certification program.

In 2024, he spent more than 46 hours proctoring 23 CAR sessions, leading to a record number of certifications earned this past year. Sutton has maintained a near-perfect track record of attending CAR planning meetings, offering input and leadership as an active and vocal member.

His commitment and expertise have helped the CAR program reach a higher level. He first earned his CAR certification in 2009 as the fourth person ever to achieve it. By 2021, he had completed three-course sequences and achieved lifetime certification.

“I can't tell you how thrilled I am when I see people walking in the halls at these conferences that got the car pin,” Sutton said, accepting the award. “They’re part of this fraternity of folks who all help each other out.”

Sutton recounted how a small group of businesspeople gathered 15 years ago to devise a curriculum and standards of what would become the ARA’s signature professional industry credential.

“We sat shoulder to shoulder along a big conference table in one of the suites of a big hotel, and we were going through the edits and rewrites,” Sutton recalled. “We came up with test questions and worked through them. It was a great collaborative event.”

The CAR certification curriculum is now in its fourth version.

“Don't just come to the conferences, get involved. The more you're involved, the more people you know, and some of the best people I've encountered professionally are in this room.”

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