Texas Auction Academy Instructors and Graduates attend Certified Auctioneers Institute - CAI Next Program, March 18-21 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Photo Caption: Front Row (Left to Right), Shawn Terrel, MO, Phillip Gableman, NY, Jim Graves, TN. Second Row (Far Right) Tom Patterson, TX. Third Row (L to R) Jason Wallingford, IL, (Far Right) Mike Jones, TX. Not pictured, Michael Rogers, NC.

April 2, 2012 (DALLAS, Tx.) – Several graduates of the Texas Auction Academy and auctioneers who practice their trade under the United Country Real Estate flag attended the National Auctioneers Association’s Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) Next course. The program took place at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., from March 18 through 20.

“This year’s CAI: Next program provided auction professionals the opportunity to evaluate their strengths as business leaders, their company’s areas of opportunities to meet the growing demand for their services, and how to enhance their competitive advantages in the marketplace,” said Michael R. Avery, director of education for the National Auctioneers Association. “Additionally, CAI: Next participants enjoyed several networking opportunities with each other and participants of CAI I, II and III.”

The lead instructor for the program was Professor Ann Bastianelli, senior lecturer of Marketing for the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Throughout her career, she has been part of creating many successful marketing campaigns, including Kellogg’s Raisin Bran’s 2 Scoops of Raisins, The Talking Parkay Margarine tub, Leggo My Eggo Waffles, McDonald’s Happy Meals and Dow Bathroom Cleaner’s Scrubbing Bubbles. For the past ten years, Bastianelli has taught Marketing at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, which is currently ranked among the top ten business schools in the country.

“After thirty three years in the auction profession and a 1993 Graduate of the Certified Auctioneers Institute, I have never been so impressed with a continuing education program,” said Mike Jones, president of Texas Auction Academy and United Country Auction Services. “The curriculum is outstanding and the instructors are the cream of the crop.”

This is only the second time this advanced course has been offered to CAI-certified auctioneers, and it offered attendees unique graduate-level materials that are customized differently each time the program is offered.

“CAI: Next is a very special program exclusively for CAI graduates,” said Avery. “Every time it is offered, the program will be created from scratch as the last two have been. So, if you miss it, it will never be offered again. The NAA Education Institute Trustees envision holding this class every five-year anniversary of the course. It is the intention of the trustees to hold the next CAI: Next in 2016 at the CAI 40th anniversary.”

“I cannot imagine anyone who is truly serious about a career in the auction or real estate auction profession passing on the opportunity to attend these classes,” said Jones. “That is why some of the world’s most accomplished auctioneers come together each year to Indiana University. By not attending, you are cheating yourself and your clients out of invaluable industry insight. You can bet I am planning on being at future CAI: Next programs when they are offered again and I will whole heartedly encourage all of Texas Auction Academy graduates and United Country auctioneers to attend as well.”

About Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI)

Established in 1975, the Certified Auctioneer Institute is the most revered professional designation an Auctioneer can acquire. Commonly referred to as CAI, the program focuses on developing the skills required to operate a successful auction firm and business.
CAI designees pride themselves on being a part of an extraordinary network of professional Auctioneers who possess the knowledge and skills needed to provide their clients with outstanding services. The CAI designation communicates to attorneys, trust officers, government officials, accountants and others affiliated with the auction industry that the CAI Auctioneer is committed to continuing education and is dedicated to professionalism and excellence in the auction profession.

About United Country

United Country Real Estate is the largest fully integrated network of conventional and auction real estate professionals in the United States. Based in Kansas City, Mo., the company has been an innovator in real estate marketing since 1925. United Country supports nearly 550 offices across the U.S., Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico, with a unique, comprehensive marketing program that includes one of the largest portfolios of property marketing websites (more than 3,000 separate sites with aggregate traffic of approximately 3 million visitors per month), multiple proprietary real estate catalogs with a cumulative distribution of 1.5 million readers, an extensive, current buyer database and national advertising of properties that reaches more than 90 million homes per week. United Country has recently been recognized by AllBusiness.com, The Land Report, Entrepreneur and The Wall Street Journal as one of the top U.S. real estate companies.

LEWISVILLE (CBSDFW.COM) – Auctions have always fascinated me and scared me at the same time. When I’m at an auction the fast paced chant is exciting and it makes you fell like you need in on the action. At the same time I am scared if I move wrong someone is going to think I placed a bid on something I can’t afford. In today’s Through the Lens I went to the Texas Auction Academy in Lewisville to learn more about the auction business and just what the heck the auctioneer is saying.

People from all over the country come here because this is one of the best auctioneer schools in the country. What was neat was that they came in every age and all walks of life as well. There was a girl 17 years old who decided a few months ago to follow in her mothers footsteps and become and auctioneer. Her mother is an instructor at the Texas Auction Academy and a former state and national champion auctioneer. I didn’t even know there was such a competition.

On the flip side there was a 79 year old woman who owns a mini ranch and wants to auction off her animals. She came to learn about the auction business. They tell me there is a lot more to auctioneering than talking fast and getting the bid. They learn the legal part of the business and learn about the different areas of auctions like real estate and cattle as well as art and everyday items.

Listening to them chant tongue twisters as a group is funny too but it is all so that when they get up to sell something they don’t waste time doing it. I’m just trying to figure out why Betty bought a batch of bitter butter?

USA Today Article (click here to view)

Congratulations to Justin Swisher, Richmond, VA named the 2012 Virginia Rookie Auctioneer Champion at the Virginia Auctioneers Association Annual Convention held January 13-15, 2012 at the Omni Hotel, Charlottesville, VA. We are very proud to announce Justin also was awarded the prestigious Morris Fannon Auction School Scholarship. Mr. Fannon, a founding member of the VA Auctioneers Association, was a mentor to many young auctioneers and is a member of the National and VA Auctioneering Associations, the VA Beef Industry and VA Livestock Hall of Fame. Justin is a March 2011 Graduate of the Texas Auction Academy and member of both the National and Virginia Auctioneers Associations. He specializes in real estate and benefit auctions. We are proud of you Justin!

Congratulations to Brad W. Wooley named 2012 Arkansas State Auctioneering Champion, Friday night (Feb 3) at the annual Arkansas State Auctioneers Association Convention held at the Holiday-Inn Airport, Little Rock. Brad is a 2008 Graduate of the Texas Auction Academy. Brad’s grandfather, National and Arkansas Hall of Fame Auctioneer Brad L. Wooley was one of the original instructors and his father Brad H. Wooley, Chairman of the AR Licensing Board is a longtime instructor at the Texas Auction Academy. Brad is a member of the National and Arkansas State Auctioneers Associations. He works in the family business in Little Rock operating United Country-Brad Wooley Auctioneers. Way to go Brad!

SEPTEMBER 2011 TEXAS AUCTION ACADEMY CLASS – (Bottom Row, L to R): Paul Anderson, Parkville, MO; Skipper Wright, Longview, TX; Gary Holub, New Braunfels, TX; Amanda Leverett, Hahira, GA; Carissa Cruz, Pflugerville, TX; Michael Miller, Irving, TX; Kelly McDaniel, Houston, TX; Mike McKee, Lawton, OK; (Row 2, L to R): Instructor Troy Lippard; Steve Caraway, Whitewright, TX; Matt McDaniel, Gastonia, NC; Cecil McCoy, Fruitvale, TX; John Williams, Palmer, TX; David Ashcraft, West Monroe, LA; Raymond Garcia, Mission, TX; Jim Smith, West Monroe, LA; Brandon Hooper, Amarillo, TX; Instructor Montie Davis; School Administrator Lori Jones; Mike Jones, School Director. (Row 3, L to R): Mike Fazzino, Bryan, TX; Kipp Kelton, Flower Mound, TX; Alvin Livingston, Show Low, AZ; Whitley May, Sweetwater, TX; Rick Hefty, Ivanhoe, TX; David Culver, Mason, TX; Bill Winter, Flower Mound, TX; Rodney Dennis, Gainesville, TX; Jonathan Warriach, Dallas, TX; David Daniel, SR., Roanoke, TX; Steve Neely, Quitman, MS; (Top Row L to R): Bill Eagle, Whitesboro, TX; Jake St. Amant, Wesson, MS; Allan Jackson, Shreveport, LA; Curtis Watson, Haslet, TX; Richard Kaniho, Kamuela, HI; Bill Laughlin, Crocker, MO; Erol Murat, Houston, TX; Kyle Clarke, Plano, TX; Brody Blevins, Watauga, TX; Bob Price, Big Spring, TX.

Richard Kaniho, Kamuela, Hawaii calls the bid and works the room during the September 2011 Texas Auction Academy benefit auction. Kaniho is the first native Hawaiian to graduate from the school. He works on the historic Parker Ranch and in the hospitality business.

The September 2011 Texas Auction Academy graduating class really got into the spirit of helping others as they raised $28,421.25 during their class benefit auction September 17th. The auction proceeds eclipsed the previous second place record that was established by the March class. The class of thirty seven came from nine states and included the school’s first native Hawaiian and a humorous Londoner.

Each class ends their term by conducting a student auction. When the smoke cleared, the auction helped raise $28,421.25. The benefactors of the event included $12,056.25 to Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Dallas, $8,881.25 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, National Auctioneers Association Auxiliary $3,425 and the International Fellowship of Christian Auctioneers received $1,475. This was the first time a buyer’s premium has been implemented in the auction and $2,583.75 was presented to Trent Sample and his family whose home was destroyed by the recent Texas wild fires. Trent is the son of auctioneer and instructor Jim Sample.

Auction highlights included two gavel ties donated by Texas Auctioneers Association President Jim Sample that sold for $3,000, three bicycles donated by the school that sold twice fetching $1,700, an auction mentoring package by Instructor Brent Graves that sold for $2,200, Four day hunt for two in Central Missouri brought in $1,650, Historic Hawaii Parker Ranch Collectibles $865, Antique wagon
wheels for $400, Large gavel for $400, “Unsung Heroes” signed and numbered prints by Artist Joani Mangold fetched $3,425, and Four International Fellowship of Christian Auctioneers Ball Caps fetched $1,125.

The student graduation auction is the highlight of each session with all the items in the auction being donated by the students, school owners and instructors, recipient hospitals, Int’l Fellowship of Christian Auctioneers and the NAA Auxiliary. What makes the event most unusual is the auction is not open to the public and all donations and purchases are made by the students, staff, family members and guests.

During the nine day course, in addition to learning the rhythmic chant of the auctioneer, the students learn how to conduct all types of auctions including real estate, automobiles, businesses, industrial and commercial, government, bankruptcy, livestock, farm & ranch and specialty auctions. The course also covers professionalism, ethics, public speaking, auction bookkeeping, marketing & advertising, government laws and regulations and other important auction related classes.

The Texas Auction Academy annually conducts four fundraisers that coincide with each class session. “Our philosophy is that when you give, you receive” says Mike Jones, CAI, GPPA the school’s Director and founder. “There is no greater gift than to support children dealing with catastrophic illnesses or supporting ones industry” he added.

The Texas Auction Academy was established in Dallas in 1992, taught by champion auctioneers and industry leaders and is Texas Workforce Commission Approved. The school has a strategic business relationship with United Country Real Estate. To learn more about the school or enroll, go to www.texasauctionacademy.com, send an email to info@texasauctionacademy.com or call for a catalog at 972-387-4200. Follow the Texas Auction Academy on Facebook. The Owners and Instructors of the Texas Auction Academy are proud members of the National Auctioneers Association and their respective state associations.

On October 22, the California State Auctioneers Association named Mark “The Spark” Schustrin from Los Angeles, CA the California State Rookie Champion Auctioneer at their annual convention held at Catamaran Resort & Spa in San Diego, CA. Mark is a March 2011 Graduate of the Texas Auction Academy. Mark is the only Auctioneer in the state of California to hold both the BAS-Benefit Auction Specialist and ATS-Auction Technology Specialist designations awarded by the National Auctioneers Association.

Besides the NAA and CSAA, Mark is a member of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees and the American Bankruptcy Institute. He is president and principal auctioneer for Spark Benefit Auctions and VP of auction services and lead auctioneer for Machinery Network Auctions specializing in bankruptcy and insolvency cases that involve manufacturing machinery and equipment. Congratulations Mark!