The Daily Oklahoman Executive Interview Column.

Byline: Jon Denton

Aug. 13--Owner Gary D. Smith can stand at one corner of Dealer's Auto Auction of Oklahoma City Inc. and see acres and acres of cars.

They aren't his. He fixes them and sells them, and that alone keeps him busy and happy.

Dealer's Auto Auction is among the top 10 companies in the industry, according to the National Auto Auction Association in Washington. Last year, the company sold 88,000 used cars, averaging sales of better than 50 percent of its stock at each auction.

"In terms of economic impact, Gary Smith dominates the Southwest," said Pete Lukasiak, the association spokesman in Washington. "He brings personal interest, an excellent staff and the very best technology in the business, in addition to the facility itself."

Smith is by nature a modest man. Asking him his sales figures for last year is like asking a millionaire how much money he has.

But Smith will say his company set a new sales record at his 12-year-old business. He expects to do …