Grand Rapids, Michigan – John Beechy of Napanee, Indiana won the title, Michigan Auctioneer Champion at the Michigan Auctioneer Championship. The Championship was held on February 17 at the Michigan Auctioneers Association Annual Conference held at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids. 21 Contestants competed for the coveted title. The 5 Finalists were John Beechy (Nappanee, Ind.), Romayne Graber (Charlotte, Mich), Frank E. Leist (Petoskey, Mich.), Jarron Miller (Huntington, Ind), and Sara Rose (Naples, Fla). For winning the title, John received a championship ring, trophy, and entry into the International Auctioneer Championship in July in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Also taking home honors were Frank E. Leist and Sara Rose. Rose was the 1st runner up and Leist was the 2nd runner up.

John began his auction career in the spring of 2009 after graduating from Reppert Auction School. He joined the Indiana and Michigan Auctioneers Associations shortly thereafter. John is currently traveling 3 to 4 states doing 5 to 7 auction’s per week selling automobiles, real estate, antiques, collector cars and charity auctions. John recently joined the Halderman Real Estate Services team assisting them with their real estate auction side. He also shares his expertise and talents with aspiring new auctioneers as an instructor at Reppert Auction School.

In 2013, John was named the 2013 Indiana Auctioneer Champion. In 2014, he also was named the 2014 Michigan Ringman Champion and now in 2016, the Michigan Auctioneer Champion. When John is not busy doing auctions he enjoys playing golf and spending time on the lake with friends.

John is humbled and honored to be named the 2016 Michigan Champion he looks forward to representing the Michigan Auctioneer Association at the 2016 NAA Conference and Show in Grand Rapids in July.

Grand Rapids, Michigan – Auctioneer Henry Detweiler of Charlotte, Michigan was awarded the honor of the 2016 Michigan Ringman Champion on February 17 at the Michigan Auctioneers Association Annual Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

A field of 8 contestants from Michigan, Indiana and Ohio entered the competition.

Henry was fortunate enough to also win the Michigan Auctioneer Champion title in January 2012. Henry is a first generation auctioneer from Charlotte, Michigan, where he is a member of the Yutzy Auction Service, a team of professional auctioneers conducting a wide variety of consignment, farm, real estate and personal property auctions every year.

Henry married the love of his life, Edna Mae Graber, on August 7, 2008. They live in the Charlotte area on a 20 farm where they raise Standardbred horses and 2 wonderful children, Veronica Jane, age 6, and Gage Romayne, age 2.

BURNS INDUCTED INTO THE MICHIGAN AUCTIONEERS HALL OF FAME

Grand Rapids, MI – Michigan Auctioneer, Dan Burns, who was a fixture in the auction industry received the highest possible honor any auctioneer can receive with his induction into the Michigan Auctioneers Hall of Fame on February 18 at the Michigan Auctioneers Association Annual Conference. Dan started in the auction business in 1981 after graduating from Reppert School of Auctioneering. Dan kept growing his business and continued for over 20 years, providing auction services for estates, farm equipment, business liquidations, and more. As his business grew, he became licensed in real estate and added that to his business as well.

Dan conducted auctions in over 8 different counties. He sold a variety of items including turtle eye drops from a pet shop, a giant elephant from a roof top, hundreds of tables and chairs for Grand Valley State University, a large blueberry farm with all the equipment, an auto body repair shop, animal cages from a circus, furnishings of the large three-story Herpolsheimers Department Store in downtown Grand Rapids, a one room schoolhouse that was purchased to be a museum, dozens of estates, farm machinery, cattle and horses, a lumber yard, restaurant equipment and furnishings.

For years Dan gave back to the community by donating his auctioning skills including the gala Cystic Fibrosis Evening with the Stars at the Amway Grand Plaza for over 5 years, Cornerstone University’s choir tour fundraisers, Ducks Unlimited auctions, Kendal University Alumni Association auctions, Rockford Chamber of Commerce auctions, Newaygo Logging Days auctions, 4H Livestock auctions at county fairs, annual auctions of Boy Scout homemade cakes, dozens of church fund raisers, and dozens of fund raisers for those with health issues or tragedies.

He was a member of the Michigan Auctioneers Association and served on their Legislative Committee and the Board of Directors. On the tenth anniversary of his graduation from Reppert he was back at Repperts as President of Michigan Auctioneers Association asking those in training to join MAA. Dan is also a member of the National Auctioneers Association and attended many of their conventions across the country.

Dan also served in the US Army and Army reserves; as well as working for 30 years for the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans as the Executive Housekeeper overseeing 50 employees. Dan & Nancy live in a house they built on some of the land of the Burns family home where Dan was born in Rockford, Michigan. Dan has lived all but 6 years of his life on this land. Dan and Nancy have a total of 6 children, 14 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

WADE LEIST ELECTED PRESIDENT OF MICHIGAN AUCTIONEERS ASSOCIATION

GRAND RAPIDS – Wade Leist of Boyne City, Michigan was elected President of the Michigan Auctioneers Association at their annual conference on February 18, 2016. Wade had previously served as the Vice President of the association and has sat on the Board of Directors since 2012.

Wade is a 36 year old, 2^nd generation auctioneer following in the footsteps of his father, Frank Leist. After showing interest in the profession, Frank sent his eldest sons Wade and Ed to the World Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, IA in February of 2004. The brothers returned home after 8 days of intensive training and went to work with their father and cousin Jerry Schmoldt at Leist Auctioneers. Together they operate a multi-faceted auction company that specializes in real estate, farm, livestock, estate, and business liquidation.

Wade has also realized an ever increasing call to perform benefit and fundraising auctions throughout the state. In 2014 Wade formed a separate benefit auctioneer and consultation company which specializes in raising funds and awareness for nonprofit organizations. This service continues to grow each and every year as nonprofits look to increase their bottom line through hiring a professional auctioneer.

Wade also sells livestock every Wednesday for the family owned facility in Gaylord MI known as Northern Michigan Livestock. Northern Michigan Livestock is one of the largest feeder cattle auctions in Michigan and uses the live auction method of competitive bidding to increase value for their customers. Wade has excelled at auctioning livestock and has previously qualified for the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship which is featured on the RFD Channel.

Wade credits much of his success in the auction industry to his active membership in the Michigan Auctioneers Association. Wade has been a MAA member since 2004 and attended his first conference in 2005. Wade has gained education, networking and lifelong friendships from his time with the MAA.

In 2015 Wade was named Michigan Auctioneer Champion during the annual conference held in Kalamazoo MI. Wade had previously been named runner-up for this honor the previous 3 years. Wade has also competed successfully in the International Auctioneers Championship as well as being named the 2015 Midwest Auctioneers Champion.

Wade and his lovely wife Sarah have 4 children, Morgan 10yo, Katie 6yo, Aubrey 2yo and Madeline 2 mo. Wade and Sarah also operate a horse leasing operation which leases over 100 horses to summer camps throughout Michigan. When not at an auction or attending a family sporting event, the family enjoys camping, boating, motorcycle rides and horseback riding.

Any questions or concerns regarding the association can be directed to Wade Leist at 231-330-1042 or wadeleist@gmail.com.

Peter Gehres, of Hilliard, Ohio won the 2014 Super Summer Slam Down Bid Calling Championship at the Midwest Auctioneers Roundup. The Slam Down was held on June 11 at the Midwest Auctioneers Roundup in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Anyone could compete as long as they were a member of their state auctioneers association. The Competition was unique as it was only about bid calling. Contestants were allowed two minutes to sell what they brought and every contestant was required to wear a hat. 22 contestants from 5 states competed for the title and prizes. The top 5 contestants were rewarded; 5th, Junior Staggs from Puryear, Tennessee; 4th, Art Smith from Cedar Springs, Michigan, 3rd, Carl Gilbert from Martinsville, Indiana, 2nd, Wade Leist from Boyne City, Michigan and the Super Summer Slam Down Champion, Peter Gehres from Hilliard, Ohio.

Peter D. Gehres is an auctioneer and Realtor who sells real estate and personal property at auction for more money in less time for individuals, companies, organizations and institutions. Gehres also works with charities, nonprofits and other organizations to raise money through live auction events. Gehres is a Regional Sales Manager for Ohio Real Estate Auctions, LLC. Gehres is the owner of Belhorn Auctions, LLC, an auction firm specializing in American Art Pottery. He is also an auctioneer and ringman at Mike Brandly, Auctioneer and the Akron Auto Auction.

Gehres is a Trustee of the National Auctioneers Association’s Educational Institute and teaches at The Ohio Auction School. He has been an instructor at the Certified Auctioneers Institute, Reppert School of Auctioneering and has spoken at various state auctioneer associations and presented at the National Auctioneers Association Conference & Show. Gehres has appeared on both radio and TV promoting auctions and the auction method of marketing.

Gehres is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture and studies in Agricultural Engineering and Economics. Gehres is also a graduate of The Ohio Auction School and Hondros College (Real Estate). Gehres is the 2012 Michigan Ringman Champion, 2011 Indiana Champion Auctioneer, the 2010 Michigan Auctioneer Champion and the 2006 Ohio Junior Bid Calling Champion. He has been a finalist in the International Auctioneers Championship and regularly competes in the World Automotive Auctioneer Championship. Gehres currently serves as the Vice President of the Ohio Auctioneers Association and has served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Auctioneers Association. Gehres has won numerous auction marketing awards in both Ohio and Michigan. Gehres has earned the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) designation which is the highest educational recognition in the auction industry. In addition he earned the Certified Estate Specialist (CES) designation and completed ProTrack, an advanced professional speaker education and training course, offered by the National Speakers Association’s Ohio Chapter.

Gehres is a member of: National Auctioneers Association, Ohio Auctioneers Association, Indiana Auctioneers Association, Michigan Auctioneers Association, Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association, Fellowship of Christian Auctioneers International, National Speakers Association – Ohio Chapter, National Association of Realtors, Ohio Association of Realtors, Columbus Board of Realtors, American Art Pottery Association, Ohio State Alumni Association – Life Member, FFA Alumni Association – Life Member.

Gehres was born in rural Northwest Ohio in Van Wert County and grew up on the family farm which has been in continuous operation since 1875 and which Gehres still manages. He attends Cypress Wesleyan Church and is married to Paige Gehres and lives in Hilliard, Ohio a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. They have twin boys, Abraham and Oliver and an infant daughter Evelyn. The Super Summer Slam Down Bid Calling Championships is a popular part of the Midwest Auctioneers Roundup. The entire event is hosted by the Michigan Auctioneers Association. Growing every year, the event features some of the top bid callers in the Midwest. Since the event is open to all state auctioneer association members, including past champions, Gehres will have the opportunity to defend his title again at the 2015 Midwest Auctioneers Roundup. For photos and video, go to Facebook.com/MichiganAuctioneers or YouTube.com/MichiganAuctioneers or FindMichiganAuctions.com.

The Michigan Auctioneers Association is 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. The MAA represents the interests of the Auctioneers, 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.

Maumee-based bid-calling duo competed in Louisville event

By Tyrel Linkhorn, Toledo Blade Business Writer

The breakneck pace of a good auctioneer is captivating, but being successful is about more than just hollering out prices fast.

“Yes you’re calling different numbers, but in between those numbers you’re really trying to make a sale,” said Sara Rose Bytnar of the Maumee-based Rose Auction Group. “It’s encouraging more bidding, telling them [bid] one more time, describing the item you’re selling.”

Mrs. Bytnar should know. A third-generation auctioneer, she’s been bid calling nearly as long as she’s been talking. Last week, she was recognized in the National Auctioneers Association’s International Auctioneer Championship as first runner-up in the women’s division.
One of her competitors in the final round? Her mother, Beth Rose.

“It was really cool for us to kind of be able to share that moment,” Mrs. Bytnar said Tuesday. “Obviously there’s nerves that go along with it, but it was cool for us to do that together.”

Mrs. Bytnar said it was the first time a mother-daughter duo made the finals of the annual competition. It’s not the first time a Rose was there, however. Mrs. Bytnar’s aunt, Pamela Rose, won the competition in 1998. Her mother has previously been a finalist.

“The Rose family has been very active in the National Auctioneers Association for several years. Sara, as a young auctioneer, is really doing well,” said Hannes Combest, chief executive officer of the 3,900-member group.

The competition, which drew nearly 100 participants last week, is part of the association’s annual conference and show. This year the show was in Louisville.

Mrs. Bytnar, 28, lives and works in Naples, Fla., but frequently travels to Ohio to manage the company’s auctions here. She also is active in charity auctions in Florida.

Auctioneers competing in the International Auctioneer Championship sell two items in the first round. The ones who advance then have an interview and another round of bidding.

Ms. Combest said it’s a talent, but it’s also a developed skill.

“In order to be a good bid caller, you have to be clear, you have to make sure people understand you,” she said. “Certainly the speed and cadence are criteria as well, to have that cadence that brings the buyer in.”

Reprinted with permission of the (Toledo) Blade, July 16, 2014:
Contact Tyrel Linkhorn at tlinkhorn@theblade.com or 419-724-6134 or on Twitter @BladeAutoWriter.