The Data Authority for the Auction Industry

Peter Gehres, CAI, CES, CAS

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Charles M. “Chuck” Pearson

Charles M. “Chuck” Pearson

Being around the livestock industry and farm auctions, Chuck developed a dream to become an auctioneer, which he realized in 1995. He had rapid success in the Pearson Auction Co. and was associated with Terry Wilke. He graduated from the Missouri Auction School in 1995. He was a member of the National Auctioneers Association, Illinois and Wisconsin Auctioneers Association, District Four chairman of the Illinois State Auctioneers Association.

Trisha Brauer

Trisha Brauer

Going once, twice, sold! Taking Bids Fundraising (TBF) is based in Kansas City and is leading the industry with record-smashing methods to raise money for nonprofits. TBF believes in making our community a better place one auction at a time.

William “Bill” Edward Miedema

William “Bill” Edward Miedema

After working for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad in South Dakota, he opened an Auction House in Huron, which he and his wife owned until moving to the Stateline area in the 1960’s. Bill and Carol operated Miedema Auction in South Beloit, IL until 1980. He then continued auctioneering for many years with Beloit Auction Service, a family business. Bill was awarded the coveted Golden Gavel by the State of Wisconsin Auctioneers Association for his 50 years as an auctioneer.

David F. Gerlach

David F. Gerlach

Following the footsteps of his father, David went to the World Wide College of Auctioneering to become an auctioneer, and in 1966 joined his father’s firm as both lawyer and auctioneer. Gerlach Companies, which was founded in 1941, is the oldest family run auctioneer and appraisal firm in Wisconsin. David’s son, Michael, has also followed his father’s footsteps as an auctioneer and appraiser in the family business. For the Wisconsin Auctioneers Association, he was a Board of Directors member from 1999 through 2003, and was President Elect in 2003, President in 2004, and Chairman of the Board in 2005. In 2008 David won the Senior Bid Calling Championship. On Monday, January 31, 2017 at the WAA winter conference, he will posthumously be inducted into the Wisconsin Auctioneer’s Association Hall of Fame, where his son Michael accepted the honor.

Laura Mantle-Grunden, CAI, CAS

Laura Mantle-Grunden, CAI, CAS

Laura became a licensed auctioneer at age 19 after 7 years of working auction setup and as a clerk and cashier around the state of Ohio. A graduate of The Ohio Auction School, she assists in over 200 auctions a year conducting benefit auctions, selling real estate at auction, working 3 auto auctions per week as well as serving as a contract auctioneer around the country