Mike Jones, CAI, GPPA, BAS President/School Director, Dallas, Texas
An Auctioneer since 1978, Mr. Jones is the founder of America’s Auction Academy and President of Mike Jones Auction Group. He is the first member of the National Auctioneers Association to obtain the “Triple Crown of the National Auctioneers Association” by being named the 1998 International Auctioneer Champion, (IAC), serving as the 2004-05 NAA president and being inducted into the NAA Hall of Fame in 2012. He also attained the Texas “Texas Triple Crown” as a member of the Texas Auctioneers Association. A Texas real estate broker and REALTOR, Mr. Jones is a 1978 graduate of the Missouri Auction School, 1993 CAI (Certified Auctioneers Institute) graduate at Indiana University and holds the GPPA (Graduate Personal Property Appraiser) and BAS (Benefit Auction Specialist) designations.
Mr. Jones attended North Texas State University and Cooke County College. He is a past presiding officer and board member of the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) Auctioneers Education Advisory Board. Mr. Jones has conducted over 3000 auctions and served as a court ordered receiver and provided expert testimony for major law firms. The award winning auctioneer has conducted educational seminars in over 30 states and was the keynote speaker at the 2003 South African Institute of Auctioneers Convention. Mr. Jones will help students develop their auctioneer chant, contract auctions, learn auction marketing and manage their overall company operations in a professional and ethical manner.
Cheri Boots-Sutton, Frisco, Texas
An Auctioneer since 1989, Ms. Cheri Boots-Sutton has accomplished a great deal while becoming one of the best auctioneers in the nation. She is the 2012 World Automobile Auctioneer Champion, 1999 International Auctioneer Champion (IAC) – Women’s Division, 2001 All Around World Women’s Champion Auctioneer. The owner of her own auction service and a real estate sales person, Ms. Boots-Sutton is recognized as one of the nation’s best auto auctioneers. She conducts many fundraising auctions throughout the year. Ms. Boots-Sutton is a graduate of the Missouri Auction School, member of the National Auctioneers Association and Missouri, Illinois and Texas Auctioneers Associations. She is known for her award winning bid calling abilities and inspiring story of how she found success in the auction professional despite a challenging home life as a single mother of four in a predominately male profession.
Phillip Braun, Midlothian, Texas
A San Antonio native, Mr. Phillip Braun is an auto auction specialist and longtime employee of Manheim Dallas-Automobile Auction, a division of Manheim Auto Auctions. After completing his education at Southwest Texas State University, Mr. Braun entered the auto industry as an auto sales representative for Hertz Corporation using the auction method of marketing. After a successful career with Hertz, he joined Manheim Auctions in 1998 working in numerous roles for the company including Factory Accounts Manager, Fleet Lease Manager, Fleet Lease Sales Manager, Total Resource Auction Manager, Commercial Accounts and Arbitration Manager. In 2003, he graduated from the America’s Auction Academy and soon thereafter started Piptex Auctions, his own auction company. In 2005, he helped launch Manheim’s 1st Total Resource Auction in Dallas. Mr. Braun will teach students about the auto auction process and give them a behind the scenes view of how Manheim has set and maintains the industry standard for buying and selling used vehicles at live auctions and online. Mr. Braun is a proud member of the Texas Auctioneers Association (TAA), National Auctioneers Association (NAA) and National Auto Auction Association (NAAA). He is a proud supporter of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and works for many philanthropic groups throughout the year.
Trey Gallaway, Belton, Texas
Mr. Trey Gallaway began auctioneering in 1998 after attending the America’s Auction Academy in Dallas, Texas. He is a contract auctioneer for Manheim Metro Dallas, Manheim DFW, Manheim Dallas and Manheim Mobile Specialty auctions. For the past seven years, Trey has been the top seller and top dollar volume producer for Pro Financial, Inc., at Manheim’s Dallas Auto Auction, producing over $70 million a year in sales. Gallaway is co-founder of Central Texas Auction Services, LLC that specializes in farm/ranch, estates, business liquidations, and real estate auctions. Gallaway also owns and operates several other businesses located in Belton, Texas, including 3 T Sales, Central Texas Bad Boy Mowers and MTV’s, and Gallaway Investments, LLC. Mr. Gallaway has starred as the auctioneer on Discovery Channels Texas Car Wars television show. Gallaway is the 2013 World Champion Automobile Auctioneer and the 2010 Texas State Champion Auctioneer. He is a member of the Texas Auctioneers Association (TAA), National Auctioneers Association (NAA), and World Automobile Professional Auctioneers Association (WAPAA). Gallaway currently serves on the TAA Board of Directors. He has been honored with the TAA Leadership Award. He provides auctioneer services to benefit many local organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, Children’s Advocacy Center for Central Texas, PMD Foundation, United Way, Belton Education Foundation, Weatherford Education Foundation, and local youth booster clubs.
Michael L. Rogers, CAI, AARE, Pittsboro, North Carolina
Mr. Rogers, a graduate of the America’s Auction Academy has been very successful as an auctioneer since returning from auction school in 1993. He also graduated from North Carolina State University in 1993 with a degree in business management. Mr. Rogers is a member of the National Auctioneers Association and the Auctioneers Association of North Carolina. A graduate of the Certified Auctioneers Institute, he also holds the prestigious AARE (Accredited Auctioneer Real Estate) designation. Mr. Rogers owns and operates United Country-Rogers Auctioneers and is co-owner of Maple Ridge Farms. After a distinguished career as a high school teacher and DECA sponsor, the national award winning Rogers turned his attention full time to his auctioneering career. In 2000, he was recognized as Chatam County Citizen of the Year. A real estate broker, Rogers has conducted all types of auctions and in the mid nineties founded an annual consignment auction of antique farm tractors, implements and steam driven engines in Denton, North Carolina that he still conducts today. Considered an expert in the area of marketing and advertising, his company specializes in real estate, estate auctions and consignment sales.
Richard Schur, CAI, MPPA ,CMEA, BAS, Monument, Colorado
Rich Schur is the Chief Operating Officer (CEO) and Lead Auctioneer for the Schur Success Group, Auction, Realty & Appraisal, based in Monument, Colorado. He graduated from World Wide College of Auctioneering in 2005, was the 2006 Colorado Rookie Champion Auctioneer and 2010 Colorado State Champion Auctioneer. He is a Past President of the Colorado Auctioneers Association and served on the Board of Directors of the National Auctioneers Association. Mr. Schur has also served as a Director and Board member for Training, Human Resources and Civic organizations across the country. He has earned his CAI (Certified Auctioneers Institute), BAS (Benefit Auctioneer Specialist), and MPPA (Master Personal Property Appraiser) designations through the National Auctioneers Association (NAA). He has also earned his CMEA (Certified Machinery & Equipment Appraiser) through the NEBB Institute, and previously held his SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) from the Society for Human Resource Management. He is a staff instructor for the National Auctioneers Association teaching designation courses, workshops, and has taught at state conventions and national conferences. Mr. Schur has a Master’s degree in Continuing Adult Education, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Workforce Training and Education. Prior to becoming an auctioneer, Rich worked in the Law Enforcement and Higher Education fields. In addition to his business life, he serves as the Board President for Tri-Lakes Cares, a human services organization for Northern El Paso County, Colorado.
W. Scott Swenson, CAI, GPPA, Austin, Texas
Scott Swenson is President and Chief Auctioneer of Jones Swenson Auctions and has been a professional auctioneer since 1983. Scott is active in the auctioneering industry at both a state and national level. A nationally acclaimed auctioneer, Mr. Swenson has served on the Board of Directors of the National Auctioneers Association and has served as President of the Texas Auctioneers Association. In 2014 he was inducted into the Texas Auctioneers Hall of Fame. In addition, Mr. Swenson is a four time top finalist in the International Auctioneer Championship and is a Texas State Champion Auctioneer. Since 1992 he has also served as an instructor at America’s Auction Academy (formerly the Texas Auction Academy) in Dallas and is one of only two original instructors. He has also served as a Continuing Education instructor for the Texas Auctioneers Association. Mr. Swenson holds Auctioneer Licenses in Texas as well as several other states, a real estate broker licensed in Texas and is an approved auctioneer for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Swenson is a graduate of Texas A&M University, Britten Auction Academy, and the Certified Auctioneers Institute. Since 1983, Mr. Swenson has personally conducted over 2,000 auctions across the U.S. and Mexico. Scott holds the acclaimed Certified Auctioneers Institute designation (CAI) as well as Graduate Personal Property Appraiser (GPPA) certification.
Special Guest Lecturers & Speakers:
-
Craig D. Meier, 2007 World Auto Auctioneer Champion and 2007 Team Champion
-
Angelia S. Meier, 2007 International Ringman Champion and 2007 World Auto Auction Team Champion
-
Kris Kennedy, Auction Flex, Ocala, Florida
-
Barrett Bray, 2018 International Auctioneer Champion
-
Morgan Hopson, 2019 International Auctioneer Champion
-
John Schultz, AMM, Stewartville, MN
-
Clint Hunter, Fair Grove, MO
-
Randolph Holford, Greenwood, AR
In Memoriam: Dear Friends We Miss
Miles Thomas Autry
Miles Thomas Autry, 1952-2011, was a past president and Hall of Fame member of the Texas Auctioneers Association, and a past Texas State Champion Auctioneer. He was serving as Secretary-Treasurer of the TAA at the time of his death. Miles was a very successful auctioneer and appraiser and proud alum of Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas. He owned and operated Miles Autry Auctioneers in Garland, TX. He will be sorely missed.
Rocky Lee Strickland, CAI, BAS
Rocky Lee Strickland, CAI, BAS, 1950-2007, was very active board member of the Texas Auctioneers Association and was former Mayor Pro-Tem of Lancaster, Texas. Rocky was one of our most popular and energetic instructors. He was a great instructor, great auctioneer and a dear friend. Rocky proudly owned and operated The Auction Block in Lancaster, TX. He will be missed!
Jack Van Ogle, CAI
Jack Van Ogle, CAI, 1929-2012, was a past president and Hall of Fame member of the Texas Auctioneers Association, a former NAA Director and a TX Senior Bid Calling Champion. Jack was one of our original seven instructors. He owned and operated Ogle Auction & Realty in Greenville, TX until his retirement. Jack was a proud U.S. Marine, an accomplished Auctioneer, excellent horseman and renowned cowboy poet. He will be missed.