BRIAN BRAUN INDUCTED INTO THE MICHIGAN AUCTIONEERS HALL OF FAME
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI – Ann Arbor Auctioneer, Braun Braun, received the highest possible honor any auctioneer can receive with his induction into the Michigan Auctioneers Hall of Fame on January 31 at the Michigan Auctioneers Association Annual Conference.
Brian Braun is a second generation auctioneer, the son of Lloyd R. Braun who started Braun and Helmer Auction Service in 1971 with his friend, Jerry Helmer. Brian’s first experience with auctions was helping his dad at auctions and attending Michigan Auctioneers Association Conferences as a kid. After Brian graduated high school in 1984, he attended Ferris College. However, like many auctioneers, he decided college was not for him. He left school and started a very successful landscaping and stump removal business and worked at that along with helping at auctions for several years.
In 1996, Brian decided he would pursue a career in the auction business, so he attended Missouri Auction School with Jerry’s son and his friend, David Helmer. Right after returning, Brian’s Dad put him to work on the auction block and he has never looked back. For over 30 years he and his partners have grown the business to be one of the most respected and busy auction companies in Michigan. With the success of the business, in 1997 he was able to purchase the Centennial Farm of his Grandparents, where he lives now. His love of the farm and everything country is evident in the pride he takes in keeping up his property, everything painted, roofed and kept up.
Brian’s hectic auction schedule leaves little time for other things, but he always finds time to give back to his community presenting at the local Historical Society and sharing his vast knowledge of antiques, collectibles and farm primitives. With a special interest the past few years of all things, fruit jars!! He has a very impressive collection of antiques, tractors, truck & autos which would be enough to open a very nice farm museum.
Brian Braun is life member of the Michigan Auctioneers Association, a member of the National Auctioneers Association and holds the Graduate Personal Property Appraisal designation. He has served on the MAA Board of Directors and has donated well over $35,000 to the association fund raiser auction, which includes the famous Memorial deer hunt at his farm. Each year since 2004 this hunt has been the highlight of the auction, including this year where spirited bidding topped out at $3500. He also finds time to spend with his family and hosts many family get-togethers at the “Pole Barn” locally known as the place to be for deer season and generally a great place to hang out. Brian enjoys hunting and travels with other MAA Members to hunt Elk, Antelope, Deer, Coyote and Moose. When not in the woods hunting animals, Brian can be found hunting mushrooms, finding sheds and taking pictures. He also enjoys processing, smoking and canning many of his home grown foods and many MAA Members can attest that he is an accomplished wine maker.
He now joins is Father and both of his partners as MAA Hall of Fame Members. Lloyd Braun passed away several years ago, but Brian, David and Jerry are still taking the auction industry by storm, conducting hundreds of auctions every year. For more information about Brian and Braun & Helmer Auction Service, visit www.braunandhelmer.com or call 734-368-1736.
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Established in 1951, the Michigan Auctioneers Association is dedicated to the enhancement of Michigan’s Auction Industry through education, promotion, advocacy and networking. The MAA is the professional association for auctioneers in Michigan, continuing to be one of the leaders in the industry, and is proving to continue in that direction in the future. The Michigan Auctioneers Association is the largest representation of auctioneers in Michigan, providing a forum for networking, sharing ideas and experiences. For more information about the Michigan Auctioneers Association and the auction industry in Michigan, log onto www.FindMichiganAuctions.com.
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