The National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) has named Warren Clauss as president for the 2017-2018 term. Clauss assumed the post during the association's 69th annual convention in La Quinta, Calif. earlier this month.

In this position, Clauss, who also serves as ADESA Buffalo’s general manager, will head up the association that represents over 340 domestic and international member auctions.

A major issue that Clauss plans to address is improving the recruitment and retention of vehicle service technicians using the data collected by NAAA’s recent survey to develop solutions to the growing shortage of skilled mechanics, the association stated in a press release.

An initial step toward this goal will be identifying and working with qualified technical schools in the country to help promote training in the vehicle service and repair field.

Clauss also plans to continue NAAA’s successful safety awareness, risk reduction and accident prevention programs, the association added.

Clauss has served in a number of various executive leadership positions at NAAA, such as president of NAAA’s Eastern Chapter, as a member of the association’s board of directors, and as vice president.  

He first entered the auto auction industry in 1992 when he joined the ADESA Buffalo team as its controller. Two years later he became the auction’s assistant general manager, and two years after that he became general manager. Clauss now holds the distinction of being the longest running general manager at any of ADESA’s 77 locations, according to NAAA.