SAN FRANCISCO – The National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) presented the 2009 Marie Hingst Exhibitor of the Year Award to Don Meadows, president and CEO of Auto Auction Service Corporation (AASC). The presentation was made by Colleen Fitzgerald of Used Car News during the Opening Reception of the NAAA Annual Conference, held Sept. 30 at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel.

“Don was one of the very first people I met in the industry when I started at Used Car News 11 years ago,” said Fitzgerald in making the presentation. “He was an early and earnest supporter of the newspaper, so I’m pleased to be the one to present him with the Marie Hingst Exhibitor Award.”

NAAA Executive Director Frank Hackett explained the Exhibitor of the Year Award is a fairly recent innovation at the NAAA, this being the fourth year an exhibitor was recognized.

“As we acknowledged those who contribute to our industry, we felt it was important to express our appreciation to those people and businesses whose loyal support as exhibitors has made an impact on the success of our annual meetings,” explained Hackett. “Anyone who has met Don Meadows knows him to be a no-nonsense guy with high expectations. His presence at a meeting demonstrates the commitment he has to that organization, and we’re pleased to note that he never misses an NAAA meeting. He’s a true friend of the brick and mortar auctions, and we value his support of our association and this industry.”

The NAAA Exhibitor of the Year award was named after Marie Hingst to honor her years of dedication and commitment o the NAAA. Hingst received the inaugural award in 2006 at the NAAA convention in Orlando, Fla. Tim West, vice president, North American Auction Director at Black Book Book USA, received the 2007 award at the NAAA convention in Chicago. Last year’s recipient was Colleen Fitzgerald of Used Car News.