The National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) has created the Ron Hope Memorial Scholarship for Auction Academy, 2023-24 NAAA President Eric Autenrieth announced Oct. 3 at the NAAA World Remarketing Convention in Orlando.

Ron Hope, CEO and Board Chairman of CARS Recon, Inc., in Franklin, Tennessee, and an associate member of NAAA, died on June 21. He worked in the auto auction industry for over 50 years and founded CARS Recon over 20 years ago. 

CARS has reconditioned more than eight million vehicles for auctions throughout America and has grown from 12 employees to more than 200 full-time employees at shops throughout five states and a presence in the U.K.

Hope served honorably in the United States Navy and was passionate about motorsports racing. He began his automotive career with Chrysler in the 1960s and moved into the auto auction sector with roles at ADT Auction Group and ADESA.

The NAAA Executive Committee created the Ron Hope Memorial Scholarship to honor his legacy and cover the tuition cost for a two-year Auction Academy program student.

Auction Academy is a continuing education program developed by TPC Management Company for professionals in the auto auction industry. Many of Its graduates have gone on to become leaders in the industry.

Hope was passionate about NAAA and its mission to give back to its members. Throughout his career, he advocated for NAAA and was a strong supporter of Auction Academy from its founding more than a decade ago.

The Ron Hope Memorial Scholarship will honor Hope’s long-lasting impact by educating future leaders of the auto auction industry for generations to come.