Executive Bios
James P. Hallett
President & CEO, ADESA
Jim Hallett's career with ADESA began in 1993 when he sold his two Canadian auctions to ADESA and took on the roles of president of ADESA Canada and executive vice president of ADESA Corporation.
In 1996, he relocated from his native Canada to Indianapolis to become president and CEO of ADESA Corporation, where he served in this role until 2005.
During Hallett's time as CEO, ADESA grew from 16 to 53 wholecar auctions, expanded its financing company (AFC) to serve the industry, and led the company into the salvage industry in both the U.S. and Canada.
From 2005-2007, he was president of Columbus Fair Auto Auction in Columbus, Ohio. In April 2007, Hallett returned to ADESA in the role of president and CEO.
Hallett started out in the retail automotive business in 1975 as a new car sales representative and was later promoted to general sales manager. After 12 years with the same dealership, he left to form his own wholesale automobile company. Three years later, he opened Ottawa Auto Dealers Exchange and The Greater Halifax Dealer Exchange.
A graduate of Canada's Algonquin College, Hallett also obtained a dealership management certification from General Motors University. He has received the Ring of Honor from the National Independent Dealers Association and the title of Senior Sales Master for General Motors of Canada.
Jeff Bescher
Vice President, Commercial Sales and Operations
Jeff Bescher's career with ADESA began in 1995 when he was hired as director of sales, national accounts. He served in this role until 2005. In 2007, he returned to ADESA in his current role of vice president, commercial sales and operations.
Prior to his return to ADESA, Bescher served as group vice president, remarketing and fleet services, for Emkay, Inc. In this role, he was responsible for the operations of the Vehicle Remarketing Department, Accident Management Services and the EMKAY Motors Division.
Jeff started his career with General Electric in the Financial Management Program after graduating from the University of Notre Dame. He held various financial positions in three General Electric businesses (GE Lighting, GE Aircraft Engines, and GE Capital Auto Auctions) before joining GE Capital Auto Leasing as Regional Remarketing Manager. He subsequently became Regional Sales Manager for Manheim Automotive Financial Services, followed by Director of Sales, National Accounts for ADESA.
Warren Byrd
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development
Warren Byrd has served in a variety of roles within the ADESA family of companies. In 1994, he joined ADESA as the company's legal counsel.
In 1999, Byrd became vice president of corporate development, a role in which he continued to lead the company's efforts to acquire auctions as well as spearhead ADESA's electronic auction strategies.
In 2001, Byrd was promoted to senior vice president of information services. Then, in 2002, he assumed the position of president of ADESA Impact, a salvage auction subsidiary he helped to acquire. Byrd helped to grow ADESA from 14 used vehicle auctions in 1994 to more than 80 used vehicle and salvage auctions in 2003.
In 2003, Byrd joined ServNet, a group of 23 of the largest independent auto auctions in the United States, as the company's chief operating officer. He served in this role until returning to ADESA in 2007 as the executive vice president of corporate development.
Prior to ADESA, Byrd worked in private practice at an Indianapolis law firm. He holds a J.D. degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School and a bachelor's degree in business from Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio.
Mike Caggiano
Regional Vice President, Eastern Region
Mike Caggiano's entry into the remarketing industry came in 1985 with a Massachusetts-based leasing company, eventually serving as their general sales manager.
Caggiano joined ADESA Boston in 1996 as sales manager, where he was in charge of the auction's dealer consignment sale. In 2000, he opened ADESA Concord, a greenfield site in Acton, Mass., and served as the auction's general manager.
In 2007, Caggiano was promoted to his current role as regional vice president of ADESA's eastern region. He holds a bachelor's degree in management from Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire.
Tom Caruso
Executive Vice President, Eastern Region
Tom Caruso is an auto auction industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience. He began his career at Concord Auto Auction as factory manager, and quickly moved through the ranks to become general manager.
When ADESA purchased Concord Auto Auction in 1992, Caruso continued in his role as general manager. It was under his leadership that the auction relocated to its current location.
In 1998, Caruso was promoted to regional vice president of ADESA's northeast region. In 2007, he was promoted to executive vice president of eastern operations.
Through the years, Caruso has served in many different capacities within the industry. He is a past board member of the National Vehicle Leasing Association and a past board member of the Massachusetts Independent Dealers Association. In 2006, he was awarded the MIADA's highest honor, their "Lifetime Achievement Award." In 2005, Caruso was elected president of the National Auto Auction Association, the highest honor in the industry.
Tim DeBerry
Regional Vice President, Western Region
Tim DeBerry is a seasoned veteran in the vehicle remarking industry with more than 20 years of experience with both ADT and Manheim Auctions.
In 2007, he was named regional vice president of ADESA's western region. Prior to this, he served as general manager at Manheim's Colorado Auto Auction.
DeBerry was named the 1999 Auction Man of the Year by the Florida Independent Auto Dealers Association, which also named him the state's Most Valuable Player in the Auction Industry in 2003.
Jason Ferreri
Vice President, e-Business Sales and Operations
Jason joined ADESA in 2004 as an executive director of sales, national accounts. A year later, he was promoted to vice president of sales at ADESA Inc Carmel, Indiana-based headquarters. In early 2007, Jason assumed his current role of vice president of e-Business, sales and operations. In this position, he is responsible for the strategic direction and growth of ADESA's E-business initiatives.
Ferreri has more than 10 years of vehicle remarketing experience. He began his career with Mercedes-Benz Financial (MBF) in Fort Worth, Texas, and held various roles in vehicle remarketing with both MBF and Chrysler Financial. Following these roles, Jason held the vice president, national auction manager, position for Chase Auto Finance in Tampa, Fla.
A current member of the NAAA and the NADA, Ferreri earned his bachelor's degree in financial management from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Dennis Jones
President, AutoVIN
Dennis Jones made a career change when he joined ADESA in 1997 as fleet/lease manager for the company's Indianapolis auctions. He had spent the previous 13 years as owner and pharmacist at Westland Drugs, Inc., in his hometown of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Opting to stay in the automotive business, Jones took on new, subsequent roles of increased responsibility at ADESA, including general manager in Indianapolis and regional vice president for the Midwestern portion of the United States. In 2007, Jones was named president of ADESA's sister company, AutoVIN.
A 1976 graduate of the University of Kentucky-Lexington with a bachelor's of science degree in pharmacy, Jones also served in the United States Marine Corps as a sergeant E5 in Vietnam from 1966 to 1970. Jones and his family reside in Roswell, Georgia.
Tom Kontos
Executive Vice President, Customer Strategies and Analytics, ADESA
Tom Kontos joined ADESA in 2000 as vice president of industry relations and analytical services, providing the vehicle remarketing industry information and insight along with various customer-related analytical reports and strategic studies.
In 2007, he was promoted to his current role of executive vice president, customer strategies and analytics. In this position, Kontos interfaces with key ADESA clients and dealers, Wall Street and automotive analysts, and member of the media, providing his analytical services in a variety of formats. These formats include annual market reports, web-based information products and dealer surveys. He is also the author of Global Vehicle Remarketing (GVR) and Pulse.
Prior to joining ADESA, Kontos helped launch and was the principal author of five editions of the ADT Automotive Used Car Market Report. His 20-plus years of experience in market research, financial analysis and strategic planning also include experience with W.R. Grace & Co., Vulcan Materials Company and Rogers Group, Inc.
A native of Washington, D.C., Kontos holds a bachelor's degree and master's degree in mineral resource economics from The Pennsylvania State University. He has also taught at Birmingham-Southern College and Trevecca University and participated in the master of liberal arts and science program at Vanderbilt University.
Paul Lips
Executive Vice President, Operations and Finance
Paul Lips has served in several different roles during his career with ADESA. He joined the company's finance department in 1996, becoming ADESA's corporate controller in 1997, was again promoted in 2001 to chief financial officer, and in 2004 was appointed to the position of vice president of investor relations and planning for ADESA, Inc.
In May of 2005, Lips was once again promoted to serve as senior vice president of operations for ADESA Corp. Currently, Lips is the executive vice president of operations and finance for ADESA.
Prior to joining ADESA, Lips spent six years with an Indianapolis company, Geo. S. Olive & Co. (now BKD, LLC), managing audits of multiple clients in various industries.
A native of South Bend, Ind., Lips holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. In 1993, he obtained his certified public accountant designation and is currently a member of the Indiana Certified Public Accountants Society.
Gregg Maidment
General Manager and Regional Vice President, Western CanadaA seasoned auto auction veteran, Gregg Maidment began his career with ADESA in 1986 as owner/partner of Canadian Auction Group, located in Winnipeg, Canada. In 1999, he was promoted to general manager and regional vice president of Western Canada.
A graduate of Reisch Worldwide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa, Maidment began his career as an auctioneer at the Montreal/Toronto Auto Auction, from 1985 to 1986. He has continued his professional education and training earning various certifications, including: Leadership Excellence from Disney University in Florida; The Human Operating System from Senn Delaney Leadership in California; and Public Presentations from Rogen Canada in Ontario.
In addition, Gregg is a long-time member of NAAA. He has also received many professional awards such as the Golden Gavel from the Ford Motor Company, Canada in 1998 and in 2003. And in 1999, he received Canada's DaimlerChrysler Achievement Award.
Michelle Mallon
Vice President of Legal
Michelle Mallon joined ADESA in August 2002 as corporate counsel of the legal department. She was promoted to senior corporate counsel in January 2005. She was again promoted in 2007 to her current role as vice president of legal for ADESA.
Prior to joining ADESA, Mallon practiced corporate law at an Indianapolis law firm, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, and real estate.
Mallon holds a bachelor's degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and graduated with her doctor of jurisprudence from Indiana School of Law in Indianapolis. She is a member of the local, state and national bar associations.
Jane Morgan
Regional Vice President, Eastern Region
Jane Morgan is an auction veteran with a finance background and nearly two decades of auction experience in a variety of roles. In 2007, she was promoted to her current position as regional vice president of ADESA's eastern region. Prior to this role, she served as regional manager and GM of ADESA Charlotte.
Morgan is very active within the industry. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for NAAA, and she is a co-chair of the National Dealer Affairs/Institutional Sellers Committee, as well as a member of this group's Legislative Committee. Morgan is also Past-President of the Southern Auto Auction Association.
Ken Osborn
Executive Vice President, Western Region, ADESA
Ken Osborn joined ADESA in 2000 as regional vice president of the western United States, managing all auction activities in major cities in Texas, California, Washington and Arizona. In 2007, he was promoted to executive vice president of ADESA's western region.
Osborn began his 30-plus-year career in the automotive industry as a used car manager in his native Amarillo, Texas,and has risen through the ranks as an auto auction partner in Amarillo and Albuquerque, New Mexico, as well as a general manager for ADT Corp.'s auctions in Albuquerque and Golden Gate, Calif.
As a licensed auctioneer, Osborn's other career credentials include serving as auctioneer for Topline Mercedes Benz, the American Cancer Society, the A.J. Foyt Collection, and the Naomi/Wynona Judd Hepatitis Charity Auction. He's also been a judge for the National Auto Auctioneer's Contest in Nashville. In 1992, he received the New Mexico Independent Auto Dealers Association Horizon Award.
Osborn received an associate's degree in business from Amarillo College and a bachelor's in business from Wayland Baptist University. He remains an active member in the Western Auto Auction (past president) and the National Auto Auction Association (past president) as co-chair of the membership committee.
Bob Rauschenberg
Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, ADESA
Bob Rauschenberg has spent his entire professional career in the automotive industry, initially entering it as a fleet administrator with Allstate Insurance Company, followed by a move into a managerial role with a major car rental company.
Later, he became vice president of remarketing for two of the largest fleet and lease companies in North America. He has held key positions in the remarketing industry for many years, including president of ADT Auction Services Division and executive vice president of sales and marketing for ADESA from 1995 until 2000.
Rauschenberg joined ABC Auto Auctions in 2000 and became its president, where he worked until April 2007. Then, in April 2007, Rauschenberg returned to ADESA to once again serve in the role of executive vice president of sales and marketing.
He is a graduate of Emporia State University in Kansas with a bachelor's degree in marketing.
Lisa Scott
Vice President, Sales and Marketing, ADESA Canada
Lisa Scott joined ADESA in 1999. In her current position as vice president of sales and marketing for ADESA Canada, she is responsible for the development and strategies to increase sales, sales efficiency, profitability and brand awareness for the Canadian market.
Previously general manager of ADESA Halifax, Scott made critical operational changes during her time in this role, leading to this site's recent successes.
Scott has more than 22 years experience in the automobile industry, professional auctioneering and auction management. In addition, she is also a successful entrepreneur, having owned and operated a telecommunications franchise for 13 years.
She is a graduate of the Southwestern School of Auctioneering and serves on various industry boards including Sales Training Experts. An avid community supporter, Scott also volunteers as an auctioneer for a number of charitable causes.
Carol Sewell
Vice President, Marketing
Carol Sewell joined ADESA in 2006 as vice president of marketing. In this role, she is responsible for integrated and targeted marketing programs for the company's key customers as well as building a best-in-class identity program and marketing organization for ADESA.
Prior to joining ADESA, Sewell served as vice president, brand development, for Conseco, a Fortune 500 financial services company. Sewell has more than 20 years of experience in managing brand strategies and marketing programs and has worked in a variety of fields such as financial services, agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
Her work in advertising, sales promotions and incentives, sports marketing, corporate positioning, and product branding have broken new ground and won numerous awards. Sewell holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Indianapolis.
Benjamin Skuy
Executive Vice President International Markets & Managing Director ADESA Canada
Benjamin Skuy joined ADESA Canada in July 1999 as chief financial officer. ADESA Canada acquired Vancouver Auto Auction, various salvage auctions and the Canadian Auction Group soon thereafter.
Skuy was responsible for coordinating all aspects of these acquisitions, as well as facilitating and managing ADESA's arrangements and alliances with its strategic partners. After holding roles of increased responsibility at ADESA, Skuy was appointed the managing director and chief operating officer of ADESA Canada in 2006.
Prior to joining ADESA, Skuy spent more than six years at a major Canadian bank, where he handled the valuation and acquisition of foreign financial institutions. During this time, he completed transactions in Asia, South America, Europe and the Caribbean, including on-site due diligence in Greece, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico and El Salvador.
Skuy is a Canadian CA, CA (South Africa), and holds an MBA from the University of Toronto, as well as degrees in commerce and accounting.
Stephane St-Hilaire
Regional Vice President, Eastern Canada and General Manager, ADESA MontrealIn 1998, Stephane St-Hilaire joined ADESA Canada as chief financial officer. From here, he quickly moved into other senior positions throughout the organization. In 1999, St-Hilaire became ADESA Montreal's general manager. He was promoted again in 2000 to regional manager; and in 2002, St-Hilaire took on his current role of regional vice president, Eastern Canada and general manager, ADESA Montreal.
During his time with ADESA, St-Hilaire has earned a number of professional awards including: the Ford Motor Company Award, the ADESA Canada Auction of the Year Award and the ADESA Customer Service Award.
Prior to joining ADESA, St-Hilaire worked as a senior accountant at Ernst & Young and the controller at AIT Corporation. He holds a degree in commerce from Laval University, Quebec, Canada, and a degree in administration from Limoilou College, Quebec, Canada. In 1995, he also earned a chartered accountant certificate from the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA).
Pat Stevens
Regional Vice President, Western Region
Pat Stevens was promoted to his current role of regional vice president, western region, in 2007.
Stevens brings more than 14 years of remarketing experience to his new role. He has worked in a number of roles for both ADT and ADESA, most recently as general manager of ADESA Dallas.
He is the current President-Elect of NAAA's Western Zone.
David Vignes
Senior Vice President, Operations and Strategic Improvement, ADESA
In 2007 David Vignes joined ADESA as senior vice president of operations and strategic improvement. Vignes has more than 20 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, enhancing operations, focusing on cost management and optimization of customer values.
During his 15 years with the Disney Corporation, Vignes held several executive positions in finance and operations with companies such as Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World Orlando and the Disney cruise line. Before joining ADESA, Vignes served as senior vice president at Steiner + Associates, where he was responsible for the growth and strategy of the company and managed the Operation Division with more than 600 employees with annual revenue of $50 million.
Vignes is a former Lieutenant in the Air Force in France. Vignes currently serves as an appointed member of the U.S./France Trade Commission. He holds a master's degree in industrial engineering from the Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers and an MBA from the University of Florida.