meet the Car Specialists

Transcription

1 meet the Car Specialists RM Sotheby's employs the largest team of dedicated, full-time car specialists in the collector car hobby. Boasting over 530 years combined experience in racing, restoring, buying, and selling collector vehicles, RM s expert team of specialists are true enthusiasts that are fully immersed in the hobby, making them uniquely qualified to advise on all aspects of the collector car industry. Rob Myers As chairman and founder of the RM Group of Companies, Rob Myers entire career has been devoted to the classic car industry. Rob started his first restoration shop in a single-car garage in Chatham, Ontario in 1976, quickly developing a powerful reputation and strong following among car collectors across Canada and the United States. As Rob s reputation grew, so did his business, eventually partnering with Dan Warrener and Mike Fairbairn to expand their services and facilities beyond restoration and into sales and auctions. Rob also has a strong interest in motorcycles, owning an impressive collection in addition to his notable assortment of classic cars. Rob s strong entrepreneurial spirit and incredible business acumen led him to build a state-of-the-art Harley-Davidson dealership in Chatham-Kent, as well as renovate and restore a dilapidated section of historic downtown Chatham, leading to the opening of the Retro Suites, a unique boutique hotel. Rob s understanding of classic cars is unparalleled, and he continues to play a very significant role as a car specialist for RM. Mike Fairbairn As one of the three founding partners of RM Sotheby's, Mike Fairbairn has a longstanding interest in the classic car industry. Graduating from the University of Alberta with a degree in Commerce, Mike began his career while still a student, by restoring, and subsequently selling, older American cars. With a major in Marketing and a minor in Computing Science, Mike engaged in several entrepreneurial ventures that facilitated his growing passion for collecting vintage automobiles. He now possesses a modest but interesting personal collection of cars and motorcycles that span a wide range of eras. As one of RM s most experienced and knowledgeable car specialists, Mike s primary area of interest is pre-war American and European classics, along with interesting post-war sports cars. A true gearhead, Mike has many additional motorized interests outside the world of cars: he is a licensed pilot and holds captain s papers for sail and power boats. Dan Warrener Possessing a degree in Economics from Brandon University, Dan Warrener spent the initial stages of his career working around the globe in the oil and gas industry, combining his long-time interests of world travel and business development. It was during this period that he began collecting and trading vintage automobiles. Dan joined the RM sales team in 1987, after engaging in numerous classic car transactions with RM Sothebys founder, Rob Myers. Dan became a partner in 1988 and one of the three founders of RM Sotheby's in 1992, successfully guiding the company s growth from a small restoration and sales facility to a world leader in the vintage automobile auction sector. As one of RM s most experienced and knowledgeable car specialists, Dan plays an instrumental role in consigning notable collector automobiles to RM auctions across North America and Europe. He possesses an impressive knowledge of classic cars with a broad overall knowledge of the market, combined with specific expertise in pre- and post-war SS and Jaguar sports and racing cars. Max Girardo Max Girardo started his career in the vintage automobile industry in 1998, joining Brooks Auctioneers (now Bonhams) as a car specialist in the company s Geneva office. Building a solid reputation in classic car circles, Max quickly progressed within the company, becoming the director of Bonhams Europe S.A. He joined RM Sotheby's in 2006, opening the company s European branch. As the managing director of RM Europe, Max has been responsible for unprecedented sales, including the remarkable Ferrari: Leggenda e Passione auctions held at the Ferrari headquarters in Maranello, as well as events in London, Italy, and Monaco. In addition, Max acts as the auctioneer at RM s global catalogue events, and he has proven to be very adept on the auction block. Passionate about automobiles, Max regularly participates in judging and racing events in Europe, recently participating in the Rally Delle Langhe, the 24 Hours Nurburging (Renault Cio Cup), and the Goodwood Revival, among other events. Specializing in Italian sports and racing cars, he is fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Italian.

2 meet the Car Specialists RM Sotheby's employs the largest team of dedicated, full-time car specialists in the collector car hobby. Boasting over 530 years combined experience in racing, restoring, buying, and selling collector vehicles, RM s expert team of specialists are true enthusiasts that are fully immersed in the hobby, making them uniquely qualified to advise on all aspects of the collector car industry. Ian Kelleher Ian Kelleher began his automotive career immediately following his graduation from Oberlin College, with a B.A. in Political Science. He joined RM Sotheby's in 2000 and played a key role in the continued development of the company s auction catalogues, marketing, and corporate image. Over the years, Ian has been instrumental in the success of the company s Private and Estate Collection Division, managing the auctions of such distinguished collectors as Richard and Linda Kughn, Gene Ponder, John McMullen, Art Astor, Joe MacPherson, Nick Alexander, John Staluppi, and others. Ian is currently the managing director of RM s West Coast Division and operates out of the company s California (Los Angeles / Culver City) office. The The son of an automotive engineer with years of experience in the industry and hobby, Ian has a strong knowledge of everything from Brass Era automobiles to sports racing cars and has brought some of the rarest and most desirable motor cars to auction. Alain Squindo Alain Squindo joined RM Sotheby's in 2007, after graduating from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., with a degree in History. Raised in a family of enthusiasts, Alain has been thoroughly immersed in the classic car industry his entire life. After joining RM as a researcher and cataloguer, he expanded the department and subsequently became RM s director of private collections. He currently serves as the vice president of the company. Born and raised in Zürich, Switzerland, Alain has also lived in Miami, Florida, Washington, D.C., and is now based in Detroit, Michigan; he is fluent in German, Swiss-German, and Spanish. Alain has an affinity for Fords, as well as European sports car marques, including Ferrari, Porsche, and Jaguar. Annette Abaci With post-secondary degrees in Economic Science and Mechanical Engineering, Annette Abaci initially worked part-time at Mercedes-Benz and EMA GmbH during her academic studies. She continued with EMA GmbH (a milling company specializing in high-precision production parts for Mercedes-Benz) after graduation and was eventually promoted to CEO. Her successful tenure at EMA saw her not only purchase the company in 1993, but also expand the business sevenfold. Annette then decided to follow her passion for vintage automobiles, selling the company in 2003 and joining a German classic car dealership. Annette joined RM Europe in 2006, and she has been integral to the establishment, organization, and success of RM s Ferrari, London, Monaco, and Villa d Este auctions. In 2010, she opened RM s German office and continues to be very interested in bringing the auction culture to her German homeland. Annette is passionate about German automobiles and specializes in Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, and Jaguar, while she is most knowledgeable about automobiles manufactured in the pre-war to 1950s eras. Jack Boxstrom Jack Boxstrom joined RM Sotheby's in late-1996 to assist with the recently acquired, and subsequently record-breaking, auction in Monterey. His positive impact was felt immediately, thanks to his extensive experience in the business, entertainment, and automotive sectors. Establishing RM s successful Amelia Island auction in 1999, Jack regularly consigns leading examples of the world s most admired sports, racing, and classic automobiles to RM s global calendar of catalogue auctions. A life-long participant in the automotive hobby, he first raced in 1961 and, more than 50 years later, remains competitive in historic events behind the wheel of his Chapparral, Lotus MK9, Aston Martin DB4 GT, and various Porsches. Jack is a founding member of VARAC, Canada s vintage racing organization, as well as a former chairman of the Aston Martin Owners Club of North America, Section East. With an impressive and diverse knowledge of collector vehicles, Jack is considered a leading expert in the global collector car auction world.

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