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IARA Launches Podcast Series Focusing on Leadership and Emerging Tech

The 30-minute podcasts of topical guest interviews is being hosted by the Greater Rockford Auto Auction.

IARA Launches Podcast Series Focusing on Leadership and Emerging Tech

Mark Coleman, the former vice president of businesss development and asset remarketing at Element Fleet Management, has served as the full-time executive director of the IARA since June 2023.

Photo: IARA / Graphic photo: Magda Ehlers / Pexels / Graphic: Bobit

2 min to read


IARA executive director Mark Coleman announced recently that IARA has launched a podcast series called "Hearing Voices," a play on IARA’s tagline The Voice of the Consignor.

The podcast series is powered by Greater Rockford Auto Auction, and  is accessible from IARA’s website at iara.biz, as well as most podcast outlets.

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A Focus on Leadership Topics

The initial three episodes of the Hearing Voices podcast feature interviews with Joe Miller, success coach and founder of Awareness to Action Coaching, on the topic of leadership and listening; Dave Blake, executive director of the Independent Auction Group and vice president at DAA Seattle, on the topic of leadership and service; and Professor Shann Ferch of Gonzaga University on the topic of leadership and forgiveness.

“IARA’s aim is to help our members gain a competitive edge,” Coleman said in a Feb. 6 news release, “and good leadership is the ultimate edge.” Over time, podcast topics will expand to include emerging technologies in remarketing, careers in the industry, and more.

The Hearing Voices podcast will also provide listeners insights on the automotive industry, status of the market, business practices, and industry topics.

Graphic: Abbi Balk / Greater Rockford AA

30-Minute Interviews Yield Key Insights

Keeping to a 30-minute format, the podcasts are hosted and produced by Abigail Balk, marketing and communications manager at Greater Rockford Auto Auction. Balk creates thoughtful questions for podcast guests designed to elicit a combination of personal experiences from the guests, as well as sage advice.

“Our goal is to deliver enriching content, while also providing some actionable advice. I think we hit the mark with our first few installments,” Abigail said.

Greater Rockford Auto Auction provides a full range of remarketing services, including six auction lanes, state of-the-art reconditioning, onsite mechanical services, inspections, transportation, simulcast, and an inhouse floorplan program. It sits on 35 acres at the mid-point of the Chicago, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, and the Quad Cities markets on the Iowa-Illinois border on the Mississippi River.

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The IARA, founded in 2001, is a nonprofit organization that aims to assist, educate, and share knowledge with its members and industry partners in the field of vehicle remarketing.

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