Ringman Champions

Michigan Ringman Championship

Bob Howe, Michigan Ringman Champion 2019

Mount Pleasant, Michigan – Auctioneer Bob Howe was awarded the honor of 2019 Michigan Ringman Champion on January 31, 2019 at the Michigan Auctioneers Association Annual Conference in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. 5 Contestants competed for the coveted title. Contestants were judged by a panel of 5 accomplished Michigan & International Auctioneer Champions. They were judged on 4 categories: Crowd/Buyer Interaction, Performance, Relaying Bids and Communication with their Auctioneer, and Appearance/Presence. Also taking home honors were Mathias Donat of Saline, 1st Runner Up, and Kelly Merryman of Fremont, 2nd Runner Up.

Bob Howe graduated from Central Michigan University, with his Bachelor’s Degree in 1968 and Master’s Degree in 1971. He graduated from the Missouri Auction School in 1977 and held his first auction in September of that same year.

He has conducted thousands of auctions and owned three auction companies starting with Brother Bob’s Auction Service, then Heritage Action Firm which he sold in the late 90’s and finally Epic Auctions and Estate Sales which he sold in July of 2018.

He has been a consecutive member of the MAA since 1977. He has served the industry by serving as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Auctioneers Association twice in his career, one long stint in the late 70’s and 80’s and then again recently. In addition, he completed his CAI designation in 1988 and thereafter served on the CAI Board of Governors.

This was Bob’s very first time competing in the Michigan Ringman Championship and he said while waiting in the wings for his turn that he just wanted to go out and have fun. Looking at the results, it appears that he did just that.

Bob is semi-retired and always looking to assist any auctioneer or auction company in any way that he can. He lives in East Lansing, Michigan with his wife Sheila who is also an auctioneer, ring person, clerk and cashier.

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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.