The Automotive Remarketing Alliance brought out two distinct award winners at the Conference of Automotive Remarketing on March 27 who were celebrated for their acts of service intertwined with the success of auction careers.

One of the ARA’s leading honors, the 2024 Circle of Excellence Award, was given to Mike Browning, general manager at Manheim San Antonio Auction in Texas.

The award recognizes remarketers who have made outstanding contributions to the remarketing industry and to society.

ARA past chairman and president and current board director Paul Seger outlined Browning’s career path that took on added meaning in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005.

Browning started his automotive career in the 1980s at a Toyota dealership as a new salesperson on the floor, but in less than eight years, moved up to manager of the dealership.

Eventually moving from retail to wholesale, Browning took on a series of roles as auction general manager for Manheim in the southern U.S., boosting revenue and customer base at each location.

It was during his time as general manager of Manheim New Orleans in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina destroyed lives and communities throughout the region. The calamity redefined Browning’s career.

“Instead of knocking down our recipient, it spurred him to action,” Seger said.

Spearheading multiple charitable fundraising initiatives in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he began a years-long effort to raise money for New Orleans residents left in need, not just at the auction, but nationally through key fundraising partnerships.

As Browning took the helm at additional Manheim auctions, including Mississippi and San Antonio, his charitable drive gained steam, resulting in many millions of dollars in donations. His efforts resulted in the establishment of National Auto Auction Association’s Disaster Relief Fund  

A leader in his local NAAA chapter, as well as NAAA nationally, Browning has served in several executive NAAA roles, including past president, and was honored to be a Warren Young Fellow. In 2023, NAAA recognized his persistent focus on charitable giving, honoring him by naming NAAA's charitable arm, The Mike Browning Disaster Relief Fund.

Upon accepting the award at a luncheon, Browning said, “I am extremely blessed to work in this industry and work for a company that helps support me and all the contributions to the different charities. I'm extremely grateful for the [business partners] and cities in 2005 who we [joined] with in the race to give. We got to see the impact.

“By the way, I was living in a motorhome [for many months], but there was a family of a single father and four children who had their home destroyed. And we completely redid that entire house with all the appliances down to the washer/dryer, dishwasher, and stove. And I still talk to that man today. His last child will be entering school soon. You never know the impact you can make. We're very blessed to be in this industry. And the best part of every day is service [to others].”

A ‘Hope Diamond’ in Remarketing

The ARA’s newest partner organization, Growing Remarketing Opportunities for Women (GROW), gave out its first ever Legend Award following the excellence award. GROW officially launched at the ARA’s Summer Roundtable in August 2023 as an organization that empowers women by providing networking, mentoring, education, and other resources to help spur greater opportunities and advancement for women in automotive remarketing.

Presented by GROW co-founder Sheila Tedesco of Lobel Financial, the Legend Award was given to Jane Morgan, a vehicle auction consultant and veteran industry executive.

“Our award recipient is a true pioneer and industry leader,” Tedesco said of Morgan’s career that spans more than three decades. She cited several career highlights: controller and assistant general manager of Adesa Dallas, starting in 1989; general manager of Adesa Charlotte, regional vice president of Adesa Eastern Region, president of Adesa Specialty Sales Division, chief client officer of Pyle Family Auctions, and now head of Jane Morgan Consulting and treasurer of GROW.

Her numerous business and service awards include: 2018 NAAA Warren Young Sr. Fellow Award for major contributions to the NAAA; 2018 Leading Women in the RV Industry; 2014 Laurie Dobberphul Award for Outstanding Industry Female; 2009 Women of Remarketing – Inaugural Year, and other awards from auctions and clients nationwide. She also has served on numerous boards and committees.

In recognizing Morgan, Tedesco said, “Pressure makes diamonds,” and GROW now "has its own Hope Diamond.”

Morgan, who did not know about the award in advance, said, "Those who know me think I talk a lot anyway, but I'm going to shock you here. It's a real pleasure to work with GROW and they thank me all the time. My come back is usually, 'Well, I am the oldest one in the room.' But I get as much out of it. This industry is phenomenal. And from an oil and gas girl as my starting career, to get to be a part of this industry for 35 years, I can't think of any better way to spend your time. It's never boring. And if you're a female in this room and haven't signed up for GROW, please do."