Executive Team

Chuck is a seasoned automotive industry executive with over 30 years of experience building successful companies and top-performing teams. He has a proven track record of delivering results and driving growth in a variety of leadership roles.

Prior to joining America’s Auto Auction as a senior executive, Chuck co-founded and served as CEO of Primeritus Financial Services and still maintains a position on the board of directors. Chuck has also held senior executive positions at OpenLane, ADESA, Banc One Credit Company, Drivers Mart, and Alamo Rent A Car. Throughout his career, he has developed deep expertise in areas such as strategic planning, operations management, sales and marketing, finance, and customer service.

As a graduate of Vanderbilt University (BA) and Florida Atlantic University (MBA), Chuck possesses a strong educational background that complements his practical experience. He leverages this knowledge to navigate complex business challenges, develop strategic growth initiatives, and build high-performance teams that deliver results.

Chuck is known for his unwavering commitment to excellence, his ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues, and his track record of driving financial success. He is highly respected in the industry and is committed to making a positive impact on America’s Auto Auction.

Chuck resides in Nashville, TN with his wife and three children.

Ron brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role, shaped by key positions across various sectors. With a BA in accounting and finance from Augustana College, an MBA in marketing from DePaul Driehaus College of Business, and being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Ron’s educational background and diverse skill set are invaluable to our leadership team.

Before joining America’s Auto Auction, Ron held several CFO positions in private equity-owned portfolio companies, including RoadSafe, Paper Source, iHeart Radio, and Highway Technologies. His proven track record in strategic financial management and his ability to cultivate high-performing teams make him the ideal candidate to lead our financial operations.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ron enjoys a vibrant personal life. When not immersed in numbers, he refines his culinary skills, hones his golf swing, and cherishes time with his three beloved grandchildren – Noah, Caroline, and Margaret. Ron resides in Chicago with his wife Meg and their three accomplished daughters: Lauren, Kelli, and Hannah.

With over 25 years in automotive remarketing, Jason brings extensive industry experience to America’s Auto Auction Group, where he joins a seasoned executive team focused on serving valued customers and driving organizational growth.

Before joining America’s Auto Auction Group, Jason spent two decades at OPENLANE, where he held executive leadership positions, including oversight of customer solutions and digital services for ADESA and OPENLANE. He has also held management roles within the automotive remarketing divisions of Mercedes-Benz Financial and Chase Automotive. Jason has contributed to the industry through board service with the Auto Auctions Services Corporation and the Automotive Remarketing Alliance, and by participating on several National Auto Auction Association committees.

Jason holds a B.S. in Finance from Valparaiso University. He resides and works in Carmel, IN, where America’s Auto Auction Group is headquartered.

Chris Burton is responsible for all aspects of business development, leadership, compliance, analytics, initiatives, and performance. Chris joined America’s in 2015 then transitioned to Auction Credit in 2017. While at America’s AA, he helped grow from a portfolio of 12 auctions to 21 auctions. He is a CPA and began his career in Public Accounting as an auditor and managed the America’s Auto Auction financial statement audit for four years. Burton then joined the Deal Advisory practice at KPMG, where he assisted private equity and strategic clients with both buy-side and sell-side advisory services including quality of earnings, carve out and integration considerations, business risk identification, and normalization and forecasting of net working capital.

Chris attended Southern Methodist University where he received a B.A. in Finance and received his M.S. in Accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Joining the automotive industry in 2000 as an Operations Manager at Tri-State Auto Auction, Brian quickly made his mark with his exceptional leadership capabilities. He then served as General Manager at Capital City Auto Auction overseeing operations and driving growth.

In 2008, Brian joined the team at America's Auto Auction as a Senior Vice President. In this role, he had a wide range of responsibilities, including directing auction operations across multiple AAA locations. He focused on optimizing operations, improving customer satisfaction, and implementing strategies to enhance overall performance. Under his leadership, America’s Auto Auction’s locations achieved significant milestones and became industry leaders.

Brian's strategic thinking, business acumen, and commitment to excellence have been instrumental in driving success for America’s Auto Auction.

Ben has 25 years of experience in the auto remarketing industry, driving organizational success through strategic thinking and leadership. Prior to his role at America's Auction Group, he served as Vice President and General Manager of OPENLANE. Ben has held several senior executive positions at KAR Global, Primeritus Financial Services, ADESA, and OPENLANE.

Ben earned his MBA from Arizona State's Thunderbird School of Global Management, and currently resides in Mesa, AZ with his wife and three children.

Pat Dudash came on board with America’s AA (formerly XLerate Group) in November, 2014 as SVP of Sales with 25 years’ experience in the automotive retail, wholesale, remarketing, services and rental car segments. He is an accomplished sales and marketing professional who has built high performance sales teams in his previous positions.

Dudash had been a senior sales or remarketing executive at Insurance Auto Auctions, ADESA, JM Family and Alamo Rent A Car. He brings unique insight into the impact of technology on both the physical and upstream remarketing channels.

Pat is a graduate of the Florida State University (BS and MBA). He resides in Palm Beach Gardens, FL with his wife and 4 teenagers.

Luke is an accomplished professional with over eleven years of experience in the auction industry. Previously, he served as the General Manager at America's Auto Auction El Paso, where he was instrumental in driving growth and delivering exceptional results.

Luke is known for his strategic thinking, his strong business acumen, and his ability to build and maintain strong relationships with both clients and colleagues. He is committed to exceeding customer expectations and driving growth through innovative solutions and exceptional customer service.

With his extensive experience in the auction industry and his proven leadership skills, Luke is well-positioned to continue driving success in his Vice President role. He is dedicated to staying current with industry trends and best practices and is always seeking opportunities for continuous improvement.

Bill is an accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in the auction industry and is known for his commitment to delivering exceptional results.

Most recently, Bill was General Manager at America's Charleston and Savannah auctions where he showcased his exceptional leadership skills. His dedication to customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and team development led to his appointment as Senior Regional Vice President.

Bill is known for his passion for the auction industry and his commitment to delivering exceptional results. He is dedicated to staying on top of industry trends and best practices and is always seeking ways to innovate and improve processes.

Based on his track record and extensive experience in the auction industry, Bill is a valuable asset to America's Auto Auction. His leadership, expertise, and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of the organization.

Ryan Rickey has been a prominent figure in the automotive auction industry for 22 years, all with Your Auction of Tampa Bay. Throughout his tenure, Ryan has garnered extensive experience in every aspect of the industry, from operations and sales to ultimately becoming the General Manager. He was instrumental in cultivating the mobile sale footprint throughout the state of Florida.

In 2019, Ryan's exceptional contributions were recognized when he was nominated for and won the prestigious 40 Under 40 Award presented by Automotive Remarketing at Used Car Week in Las Vegas, Nevada. Most recently, Ryan has led the nation in digital sales among all independent auctions, showcasing his innovative approach and leadership in the industry.

Ryan's recent promotion to Regional Vice President (RVP) for America's Group is a testament to his dedication to the auto remarketing industry. His career is marked by a commitment to excellence, continuous innovation, and a profound impact on the industry.

Jennifer is a highly experienced industry veteran with over 20 years of expertise in the automotive auction industry. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a customer-focused approach to managing sales teams.

Currently serving as the Vice President of Institutional Sales at America's Auto Auction, Jennifer brings her extensive knowledge and passion for customer satisfaction to her role. She leads her team with a focus on building strong relationships and delivering tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of institutional clients.

Most recently, Jennifer played a pivotal role in leading the sales teams at America's Auto Auction Kansas City. Her exceptional leadership skills, combined with her deep understanding of the auction industry, contributed to the success of the sales department under her guidance.

In recognition of her industry expertise and leadership abilities, Jennifer currently serves on the National Auto Auction Association board. In this capacity, she contributes to the development and advancement of the industry by sharing her insights, knowledge, and best practices.

Joe Ruch has over 20 years of experience in the auto auction industry. He currently serves as Vice President of Operational Excellence for America’s Auction Group, where he identifies and implements best practices.

Prior to America’s AA, Joe spent seven years as the Vice President of Operations for Direct Auction Services, working in both the reconditioning and transportation divisions. His career began with Manheim Auctions, where he filled various roles over his 13-year tenure, including Director of Operations and Assistant General Manager.

Peggy is an experienced human resource professional with significant experience and business acumen in facilitating sustainable change and building strong diverse cultures. Peggy believes in success through building relationships of trust and delivering results with integrity.

Peggy holds a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University, majoring in Human Resource Management and Business Management.

Chris is a highly accomplished professional with a proven track record in corporate development, consulting, and finance. His background includes serving as the Director of Corporate Development for M&A at Sweeping Corporation of America, where he played a key role in driving strategic growth initiatives.

With a BS in Finance and Economics from John Carroll University and an MBA from Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, Chris possesses a strong educational foundation that complements his practical experience. He leverages this knowledge to analyze market trends, identify growth opportunities, and develop innovative strategies to achieve business objectives.

As an M&A Roll-Up Expert, Chris has been instrumental in executing over 70 acquisitions. His expertise in driving successful mergers and acquisitions coupled with his deep understanding of corporate development and finance, make him an invaluable asset to America's Group.

Sawyer started in the auction industry as a sales representative with the Brasher’s family auctions. Throughout the next decade, he continued his growth in the industry with regional and national sales management positions, joining America’s in 2021.

Sawyer is a skilled professional in the auction industry with over a decade of experience. His career began as a sales representative with the Brasher's family auctions, where he quickly established himself as a top performer. Driven by a strong passion for the industry, Sawyer continued to pursue opportunities for growth and advancement, taking on regional and national sales management positions. His exceptional leadership skills, sales acumen, and commitment to excellence enabled him to achieve outstanding results and earn the trust and respect of his colleagues and clients.

In 2021, Sawyer joined America's Auto Auction, a leading player in the auction industry, where he applied his wealth of experience and expertise to drive sales growth and build lasting relationships with clients. Sawyer's dedication to excellence has earned him a reputation as a trusted leader, an expert in his field, and a valued asset to America’s Auto Auction.

Keith is an accomplished and visionary leader in digital strategy and innovation within the automotive remarketing industry. With over two decades of experience spanning retail and wholesale sectors, he has made significant contributions to shape the digital landscape at America's Group.

Keith's career began on the retail side, where he excelled in various roles in sales, finance, and management. Prior to the merger of XLerate Group and America's, Keith was one of the driving forces behind the digital sales achievements at XLerate auctions, and was instrumental in executing transformative digital sales strategies, propelling multiple auction locations to unprecedented success.

In his current role as Executive Director of Digital Sales, Keith is dedicated to steering America's Group to their full digital potential - driving growth, elevating customer experiences, and enhancing operational efficiencies.

Brian is a seasoned finance professional with over 20 years of experience across various industries. He joined America’s in February 2023, spearheading the development of the FP&A and Analytics team, where his expertise has been instrumental in driving strategic decision-making and optimizing financial performance.

Prior to his role at America’s, Brian held key positions at renowned companies such as Raytheon, Elevance Health, and OneAmerica, honing his skills and knowledge in finance. He is a graduate of DePauw University and furthered his education by earning a master's degree from WGU.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Brian is an avid reader and Formula 1 enthusiast, finding inspiration and excitement in the world of literature and motorsports. He resides in Fishers, IN, with his wife, Amanda, and their two children, along with their beloved canine companions. During their leisure time, the family enjoys soaking up the sun by the pool during summers and embarking on memorable trips to the lakes in Wisconsin and the sandy beaches of Florida.

Melissa is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the auto auction industry. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated exceptional expertise and achieved remarkable success in various roles.

Melissa's journey in the auto auction industry began in dealer sales, where she honed her sales and customer relationship skills. Her exemplary performance propelled her into sales management positions, where she successfully led teams and exceeded sales targets.

Recognized for her exceptional marketing acumen, Melissa transitioned into the role of Marketing Manager at America's Auto Auction Kansas City. In this position, she played a pivotal role in building their highly successful marketing program. Her strategic vision, creativity, and analytical skills contributed to the development of innovative marketing campaigns that effectively showcased the unique value proposition of the auction.

With her extensive knowledge of the auto auction industry and her proven ability to drive marketing success, Melissa has developed targeted marketing strategies that deliver measurable results. Her strong leadership and collaboration skills foster a positive and high-performing team environment, driving cross-functional alignment and delivering impactful marketing initiatives for America’s Auto Auction.

As the Executive Director of Revenue, Summer is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in the remarketing industry. With an MBA from Ball State University and over 20 years of industry experience, she is a recognized expert in developing strategies to drive revenue growth and expand buyer markets.

Prior to her current role, Summer served as Vice President of New Business Development at BacklotCars. She has also held senior executive positions at OPENLANE and ADESA where she was responsible for ensuring ongoing customer satisfaction, improving customer experience, and managing customer expectations.

Summer's ability to manage people and processes, her focus on data-driven results, and her deep industry knowledge make her an invaluable asset to any team. She is passionate about building top-performing teams, driving revenue growth, and delivering exceptional customer experience.

Based in Chandler, AZ, with her husband and two children, Ernsberger is a dedicated professional who is committed to delivering measurable results and driving success for America’s Auto Auction.