Tim Meta, national remarketing manager of Fifth Third Bank, was honored with the Consignor of the Year award, while the Nichols family of BSC America received the honor of Remarketer of the Year at a ceremony during the Conference of Automotive Remarketing (CAR).

Both awards are sponsored by Bobit Business Media and were presented by Automotive Fleet Editor Mike Antich.

The Consignor of the Year award is determined by professionals in the remarketing industry who select winners based on their ability to implement and encourage the use of best industry practices as well as create, embrace, and implement innovations to industry.

"I wouldn't be here without you," Meta said. "We're all out there trying to share ideas with each other."

At Fifth Third Bank, Meta manages the repossession process and the vehicle, RV, marine, mobile, and motorcycle consumer remarketing portfolio on a national level. Meta has worked in automotive financing for over 29 years, and he currently serves as the vice president for the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA). He has been involved with IARA initiatives and several of its committees during his tenure with the alliance.

The Nichols family was also awarded with the Remarketer of the Year award during the conference. Raymond Nichols, chairman for BSC America, and his grown children Charles Nichols, president of BSC America; and Michelle Nichols-Neff, vice president of BSC America, were honored during the awards ceremony. Charles and Michelle accepted the award on behalf of the family.

"It's an honor and we appreciate all the relationships in this room," said Charles Nichols while accepting the award. "This industry has done a lot for us."

This is the first time that the award has been presented to a family rather than an individual.

The Remarketer of the Year award recognizes individuals in the remarketing industry for their efforts in encouraging the use of best practices, embracing innovations, and moving the industry forward with professionalism and the highest standards. Recipients of the award also actively share expertise and skills to advance the industry, participate in industry associations and groups, and mentor in the development of the next generation of remarketing professionals.

BSC America was founded by Raymond and Elaine G. Nichols, the late wife of Raymond and mother to Charles and Michelle. The company was originally started as Nichols Auction Company and grew from general auction business to a group of specialized asset management companies. The auction initially expanded from primarily serving lenders within the financial sector with real estate and equipment auction to the auto auction business in 1979. BSC America has flourished since the '90s with the acquisition of an additional auto auction and the expansion of management with the family’s second generation of management in Charles and Michelle. Recently, the focus for BSC America has shifted to seek ways to develop and apply new technologies in its businesses, according to BSC America.