THE HAWKEYE AUCTIONEER

Quarterly E-Newsletter

SPRING 2025

Inside This Issue: 

• From the President's Desk
• 2025 Iowa Auctioneers Convention
• FFA State Bid Calling Invitational
• A Message from Your Vice President
• Blog published by Riley Sieren
• Sponsors
• Board of Directors

View past newsletters on the IAA website:

https://iowaauctioneers.org/news/

Greeting Fellow Auctioneers,

What an incredible Annual Convention we had last month! From insightful speakers and top-tier vendors to competitive bid calling, it was an event packed with value. Here is a quick recap of what you missed if you were not able to attend.

Thursday kicked off with six hours of educational sessions, ideal for CE credits for Iowa real estate licensees. Sessions covered Buyer Representation, Marketing, AI, and Photography, followed by an evening of networking over an open bar.

Friday was filled with learning and competition. NAA President John Schultz led a valuable session on marketing and business strategy, while Jim Huff, David Whitaker, and Jake Rice hosted a standout Agriculture Q&A which turned out to be a favorite. HiBid and ATG guided us through three hours of technology insights, followed by a bid calling breakout session where auctioneers—alongside FFA Bid Calling competitors—received expert coaching from IAA Professionals

Paul C Behr and Vicky Ginder were entered into the Iowa Auctioneers Hall of Fame. A well-deserved award to these two auction professionals.

That evening, Chantz Davidson took top honors in the Ring Person Competition, while David Whitaker and Katie Gadbaw claimed victory in the high-energy Inaugural Team Competition.

Saturday began with another exceptional AI session from John Schultz, leading into our Membership Annual Meeting. The Rookie Bid Calling Competition saw Kort McNeer take the top spot, while the Open Bid Calling Competition sent all ten contestants to the Iowa State Fair in August to compete for the championship. Time was also dedicated to working with FFA students, helping nurture the next generation of auctioneers.

Our Grand Banquet and awards ceremony recognized Riley Sieren, David Whitaker, Leon Martin, and Chris Richards for their outstanding advertising efforts. We also expressed gratitude to outgoing board members Jordan Cannon, Katie Gadbaw, and Riley Sieren and welcomed new members Kyle Hansen, Justin Steward, and Chris Nelson, along with our new Vice President, Leon Martin.

We ended the night with our Fun Auction, raising, what might have been, a record-breaking amount for the association! It was truly a fantastic weekend, and we cannot wait to see what Leon has planned for next year. If you missed it, make sure to put it on your calendar for next year!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this convention a success—I am truly grateful.

Rodney A. Backes

President, Iowa Auctioneers Association

Team Competition Contestants: Auctioneers Top Row - Ring Person Bottom Row

David Whitaker with Katie Gadbaw, Tony Wisely with Chris Nelson, Chantz Davidson with Chad Balls, JJ Wise with Jordon Hansen, Leon Martin with Jordon Hansen, Sam and Daniel Hershberger

David Whitaker & Katie Gadbaw are the Team Competition Grand Champions

Ten Finalists to Compete at The Iowa State Fair for the Open Bid Calling Contest

Front Row L to R: Tony Wisely, Kyle Hansen, Chantz Davidson, Marty Griepentrog, Justin Steward. Back row L to R: Chad Shephard, Doug Head, Lydia Lamp, Tyler Weaver, Sonny Jensen

Final Four for Ring Person Competition: Chantz Davidson, Doug Head, Chris Nelson and Lee Hoeft, MC Tony Wisely

Chantz Davidson is the Ring Person Winner

Rookie Contestants: Back Row L to R - Justin Wiemann, Runner Up: Preston VanWyk, Kevin Quinn, Tyrel Nelson, and Loren Hershberger. Front Row L to R - Miles McConnaha, Champion: Kort McNeer, Hannah Johnson, and Brey Hansen

Kort McNeer is the Rookie Winner

Leon Martin, Legacy Auctions, Auction Company Website Award

Riley Sieren, Sieren Auctions won Real Estate, Personal Property/Antiques and Collectibles, Business Promotional Materials, and Commercial/Industrial Ag Equipment

Chris Richards, Steffes Group, won the Company Social Media Award

David Whitaker, Whitaker Marketing Group, won the Business Promotional Printed Materials Award

See You Next Year!

State of Iowa Inaugural FFA Bid Calling Invitational Recap

The first-ever FFA State Bid Calling Invitational took place on February 8th during the Iowa Beef Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, marking an exciting milestone for young auctioneers in Iowa.

A huge thank you to Paul McCarten, Jim Huff, and Corey Fraise for their countless hours of planning and coordination to bring this event to life. Special appreciation also goes to the mentors, volunteers, and sponsors who helped guide and support these talented students.

We had 15 students from across the state compete, aligning perfectly with our first-year goal. Auctioneers from across Iowa provided one-on-one coaching, ensuring these students had the tools to succeed. Thanks to our generous sponsors, we awarded scholarship funds and medals to the top five competitors.

The competition was intense, with Asher Henson emerging as the Champion. The top finalists included:

🏅 1st Runner-Up – Miles McConnaha

🏅 2nd Runner-Up – Justin Wiemann

🏅 3rd Runner-Up – Charlie Heubner

🏅 4th Runner-Up – Rainor Johnson

Asher has committed to competing at the International Junior Auctioneer Championship (IJAC) in Chicago during the NAA Convention in July—watch for his name!

This event was a resounding success and will only continue to grow. If you are interested in getting involved or serving on the event committee, please reach out.

Rodney A. Backes

President, Iowa Auctioneers Association

Fellow Iowa Auctioneers Association Members,

As your newly elected Vice President, I am honored to serve this organization that has been the backbone of our industry for generations. I am Leon Martin, owner of Waverly Sales Company and Legacy Auction Company. My journey in auctioneering began in 2001, where I have served as a contract auctioneer for numerous companies, specializing in farm machinery, retirement sales, and weekly livestock markets. My Mennonite background, where I also crafted buggies and sleighs, has instilled in me values that guide my approach to business and leadership.

Since acquiring Legacy Auction Company in 2018 and taking the helm at Waverly Sales Company in 2024, I've remained committed to integrity, exceptional service, and a personal touch in every interaction.

While we navigate today's fluctuating markets and unprecedented political times, one truth remains constant: serving customers with respect, integrity, and professionalism is always the right choice. These principles not only guide us through uncertainty but enhance the public's perception of our profession. By maintaining high standards, we strengthen our businesses and elevate the entire auction industry.

I am excited to be working alongside President Rod Backes and our dedicated board to continue moving this great organization in the right direction. Together, we are building upon our strong foundation while remaining responsive to your evolving needs.

Mark your calendars for August 12th for our Bid Calling Championship at the Iowa State Fair. Looking further ahead, planning is already underway for our 2026 Convention. Your input for this event is not just welcome – it is essential. Whether you have thoughts about educational sessions, networking opportunities, or new initiatives, I am here to listen. Contact me directly at leon@legacyauctioncompany.net to share your ideas.

The auction industry is about helping people, building relationships, and maintaining professional integrity. I commit to upholding these values while working to enhance the resources available to our membership.

Best regards,

Leon Martin

Vice President, Iowa Auctioneers Association