TORRANCE, CA – Several industry awards were presented at the 2011 Conference of Automotive Remarketing (CAR) held in Las Vegas March 9-10.

Remarketer of the Year Award Winner

Bobit Business Media and Vehicle Remarketing magazine presented the Consignor of the Year award to Darrin Aiken, assistant vice president, vehicle remarketing for Wheels Inc. Aiken was voted Consignor of the Year in an online ballot by remarketing industry professionals. He began working for Wheels Inc. in 1989 in the Vehicle Remarketing Department as a Regional Sales Manager. In 1997 he was promoted to Director of Remarketing and in 1999 he was promoted to his current position of Assistant Vice-President of Vehicle Remarketing. Recently, Darrin has also taken on title maintenance and Vehicle Inventory Management departments and has successfully integrated them into the Remarketing Department. Darrin is a Member of the International Automotive Remarketing Alliance, the Used Truck Association, Nation Association of Fleet Resale Dealers, and participates on both the Manheim Client Advisory Board, and the ADESA Advisory Board.

(Left) Mike Antich, editor and associate publisher at Bobit Business Media, presents the consignor of the year award to Darrin Aiken, assistant vice president, vehicle remarketer for Wheels Inc.

Consignor of the Year Award Winner

Bobit Business Media and Vehicle Remarketing magazine also presented the Remarketer of the Year award to Dave Angelicchio, past NAAA president and owner/general manager of the Pittsburgh Independent Auto Auction. Frank Hackett, executive director, National Auto Auction Association accepted the award on Angelicchio’s behalf who was unable to attend the ceremony due to a family emergency.

(Left) Antich presents the Remarketer of the Year award for Dave Angelicchio to Frank Hackett, executive director, National Auto Auction Association who accepted the award on Angelicchio's behalf.

Warren Young Fellowship Award Winner

Bobit Business Media’s very own Ed Bobit was presented with the Warren Young Fellowship award by Jay Cadigan, NAAA president and senior market vice president for Florida Manheim. He was presented the award for his contributions to the remarketing industry. The Warren Young Fellowship was created in honor of Warren Young, Sr., a pioneer of the auto auction industry. The award recognizes major contributions to the National Auto Auction Association and acknowledges sustaining support for the NAAA Warren Young, Sr. Scholastic Foundation, Inc. goal of improving access to post-secondary education through scholarships and educational assistance.

(Left) Jay Cadigan, NAAA president and senior market vice president for Florida Manheim, presents the Warren Young Fellowship award to Ed Bobit, chairman for Bobit Business Media.

Xamplas Earns Certified Automotive Remarketing Certification

Gus Xamplas, VP of remarketing for Donlen Corp., was also recognized as the most recent Certified Auto Remarketer. Xamplas is responsible for the sale of all off-lease vehicles including employeepurchases.com and auction sales, valuation of vehicles, and review of residuals. With more than 30 years’ experience in the auto finance and leasing industries, Gus has deep industry knowledge and uses that to create solutions that benefit Donlen’s customers during the entire remarketing process. Prior to Donlen, Gus was vice president of credit risk management for Wells Fargo Financial, former senior vice president of consumer leasing at Bank of America, and senior vice president of retail credit at First of America. Since mid 2007, The International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA) Certification Program has offered remarketing associates insight into the industry through a comprehensive, thought-provoking curriculum. Professional remarketers participating in the program strengthen their core knowledge of remarketing principles, enhancing their professionalism and ability to better serve their clients.

(Left) Gus Xamplas, VP of remarketing for Donlen Corp., is presented his certificate as a Certified Automotive Remarketer by Matt Marks, executive director for the IARA.