Page 91 - Experience Magazine Fall 2022

Barrett-Jackson and the first female Regional Director of the
Classic Cars Club of America. Her passion for automobiles
was a driving force behind the company’s evolution into
the world’s leading collector car auction company. She
would undoubtedly be thrilled to see increasing numbers
of women becoming as passionate about the collector car
world as she was.

The Nellie Jackson Scholarship recipient for the last two
school years, starting in 2020, was Jackie Gullion. Gullion
has served as president of C.A.R.S. Club, the student as an intern at Barrett-Jackson. A majority of Sharkey’s
organization for auto restoration, and a member of Rogue internship has been spent in the garage with the Barrett-
Writers, the creative writing club on campus. Through Jackson Builds Team learning hands-on, and one-on-one,
Rogue Writers and encouragement from professors, she with Brian Horstmann, the in-house restoration painter.
gained the confidence to start collecting enough work for “It is rewarding to me that our interns want to return
a book. She pursued a minor in writing and the title of semester after semester,” said Craig Jackson, chairman
her first book, “Nuts & Bolts,” was published earlier this and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “It has been enjoyable to see
year. Gullion believes every automobile has a story to our master painter pass along these skills to such an eager
tell, and said “classic car collectors are important because intern. It is important that we teach the next generation
they preserve not only the vehicles but the stories that are these skills for the health and longevity of our hobby.”
attached to them.”
Sharkey said working with Horstmann has been rewarding,
Over the years, a number of cars have made their way across “I’ve been able to go through every single step of the paint
the Barrett-Jackson auction block to benefit McPherson, process, hands on, with literally one of the best painters in
including a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-door sedan, 1956 the country.” He added working with the Builds Team has
Ford Thunderbird convertible, 1957 Ford Thunderbird been an eye-opening experience because he has been able
convertible, 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS convertible and a to work with some of the top pros in the entire country.
1969 Chevrolet Corvette convertible.
“There isn’t another place like this where you get to work
Barrett-Jackson not only provides resources for students to so closely with a team of five other people who have
receive Restoration Tech degrees, the collector car auction such incredible experience,” Sharkey said. He added,
company has also brought students and graduates of the “Aside from that, I got to go to the auction in Las Vegas
program on board its team as interns. this summer. It was great, I loved it and it was really the
“It is important to me and the industry to give young biggest car event I’ve ever seen.”
people a chance to learn these skills,” said Craig Jackson, Sharkey shared that prior to his experience at Barrett-
Barrett-Jackson chairman and CEO. “I am proud we can Jackson he had seen the auctions on TV a few times but
provide opportunities for the restoration tech program to hadn’t really understood the full scope of everything that
grow and add new people to the profession.” goes on during the event.
As students of all ages make their way back to school, During the 2022 Las Vegas Auction, Sharkey worked
Barrett-Jackson is proud to contribute to the education of with the Mechanics Team. “I got to learn a lot at the
the next generation of automotive restorers and builders auction. I was exposed to many things I’ve never
who will mark the future of the collector car hobby. seen — it was a rapid-fire education and I left with an
entirely new set of skills.”

A BARRETT-JACKSON INTERN: As Sharkey heads back to school, he already has plans
MEET AIDAN SHARKEY FROM to join Barrett-Jackson for the 2022 Houston Auction,
MCPHERSON COLLEGE October 20-22 at NRG Center, which happens to be
during his fall break.
Aidan Sharkey (above, second from left with Craig Jackson
and the Builds team) is an Automotive Restoration Design For those interested in an internship with Barrett-Jackson, view
major about to start his senior year at McPherson College Employment Opportunities on the Barrett-Jackson website and
— he has spent his last two summers and winter break apply via the internship listing.

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