Dealers Auto Auction of Huntsville, Ala., has been named 2014 Auto Auction of the Year by the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) for its contributions to its community and the auto industry.

The award was presented to auction owner David Andrews and general manager Roger Fields, representing the DAA Huntsville staff, on September 24 during the National Auto Auction Association's (NAAA) annual convention in Boston.

"This is an auction that has truly exemplified its business excellence, industry involvement and community service and has shown a real heart for taking care of its own employees and families," NIADA executive vice president Steve Jordan said. "With a standing challenge to each of his location managers to find meaningful ways to give back to their communities, David Andrews has created a corporate culture that seeks to contribute to the lives of those they serve in business."

NIADA has presented the Auto Auction of the Year award annually to an outstanding NAAA auction since 2008. The winning auction provides the highest level of customer service and resources for NIADA's independent dealers, displays support for its state association and its dealer members, participates in dealer events and promotes the industry by showing exceptional service to its local community.

Andrews, a second-generation auto dealer who grew up in Memphis washing cars and selling Cadillacs to Elvis Presley, has grown his operation to more than 650 employees at five auctions, two retail dealerships and an auto finance company. He has also been an industry leader, serving on NIADA's executive committee and the NIADA Services board. He is currently an NIADA Foundation trustee and a member of the NIADA Political Action Committee.

Led by Andrews and Fields, DAA Huntsville has been heavily involved in charitable work. After the auction's longtime greeter was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Fields contacted the Alzheimers Association, which has become one of many charities DAA Huntsville supports.

In 2014 alone, the auction has donated more than $60,000 to 24 charities, including St. Jude Children's Research, the ALS Foundation, Johns Hopkins, the local symphony orchestra and the Liz Hurley Breast Cancer Fund. Andrews' parent company, City Enterprises LLC, has contributed more than $300,000 to charitable causes so far this year.