President's Letter by Zach Vierheller
I would like to thank everyone who attended our Winter Meeting in February. We had a great convention. I want to congratulate our newest board members, Rick Miller and Matt Sandmann, I believe these two are going to be an asset to our organization. They both bring value to the board, and I look forward to working with them. As we move forward into the new year, we are working hard to build a better organization for our members. Our new board is exploring new ideas to elevate our association as an example for others to follow. I appreciate everyones input at our Town Hall Meeting, we are working hard to implement the ideas presented.
We recently attended the NAA State Leadership Conference in Kansas City and brought back some ideas that I believe will help elevate our association to better benefit our members. I encourage everyone to attend our August Summer Conference in Stillwater. We are lining up some great speakers that we believe will add value to your businesses.
Our association is sitting in a much better situation than it was at this time last year and we will continue striving to improve it so that it continues to benefit our members. I’m very excited about our March 18th board meeting, where we have put into play our ideas for the new year, which I believe, will make our next summer and winter conference the best we have had in a long time. I hope to see everyone in August.
Thanks again for the opportunity to serve as your OSAA President,
Zach Vierheller
Auctioneers are Problem Solvers by Barrett Bray
What is an auctioneer? Ask the general public, and you’re likely to get an answer related to fast talking or sale barns. Those close to the industry would argue something along the lines of the auction marketing model and market value. The answer that many of our clients would give, and one that I’m hearing more and more auctioneers finding identity in is a simple one: auctioneers are problem solvers. We, as an industry and as an association, have the ability to see the potential in situations, guiding our clients and steering our efforts toward the most desired outcome.
So, what do we do when WE are the ones facing the problem? How do we combat the governmental and societal mandates surrounding the crisis that we are finding ourselves in while still offering the same level of engagement, service, and trust that we have built? We have to be willing to innovate and adapt. The world is continuing to move toward a digital marketplace, and this pandemic could be an opportunity to add tools to our craft and increase the value that we bring. That could mean shifting a business strategy temporarily toward online auctions, or simply taking advantage of free or affordable resources to better communicate through the extent of this pandemic.
I’ve been pleased to see that some of the online auction platforms are offering reduced or free auction set-up packages for auction companies that are interested in transitioning, but don’t necessarily have the capital or the plans to continue indefinitely. I’ve also been impressed with the benefits of Zoom as a live, video conference or meeting option when “social distancing” is a concern. Sign Up Genius has been a great, free tool to allow buyers to schedule a time for load out, spacing the timing throughout the day and avoiding large groups that could come into question as we move forward.
Of course, our greatest resource and the one that continues to push innovation is our association and our relationships...as we continue to stay in communication with each other, and keep an open mind about the shift that we are all likely to make in the coming months, we will all be strengthened by each other’s trials, experiences, failures, and successes. As you move forward and navigate the new landscape laid before us, please share...at the end of the day, and at the end of this crisis, we are a family that will continue to stand together and thrive.
Barrett Bray, Vice-President
Expect the Unexpected: COVID-19 by Buck Hutchens
There is an old saying, “expect the unexpected.” Just a few weeks ago, we all leisurely gathered for the 2020 OSAA Winter Conference. What a fantastic learning experience and event. Many new friendships were made and old friendships were revisited. There were many handshakes, hugs, and conversations exchanged. Now here we are, a few weeks later, in the middle of COVID-19 crisis. I will be the first to admit, I never expected a pandemic like COVID-19 in my lifetime. So now, with its presence among our nation, our state, and likely our communities, I believe the “unexpected” is here, and we now must follow the suggestions and recommendations of heath care professionals.
“Flatten the Curve” has become a widely used slogan the past two weeks. What can we as fellow auctioneers and professionals practice in order to stop the spread of this virus? By this point, we have all seen the news about the precautions to be taken. But have we followed the precautions? Or have we pushed to continue business as usual? Like many of you, we have auctions scheduled the next few weeks. The daily question is, “Do we continue as planned?” How do we mitigate the risk to our families, employees, clients, and customers? Stay informed and alert to the changing conditions by visiting the Centers for Disease Control website and Oklahoma State Department of Health. March 17, Governor Stitt issued an Executive Order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people and avoiding discretionary travel. Have you considered re-scheduling any live or public auctions until the order is lifted? Online only auctions are one alternative. If you are not currently using an online auction platform and would like more information, contact any board member, and we would be happy to assist you. If you hold a live auction, then limit the attendees, follow CDC guidelines for “social distancing,” and host it simulcast to stay in compliance and as an alternative to customers. Unfortunately, by the time you read this, the number of cases will likely have risen. I hope and pray it doesn’t.
Keep an open mind and be mindful of others. Americans & Oklahoma Auctioneers are some of the most innovative and creative people on this earth and together we will make it through this challenging situation.
Buck Hutchens, Director
Rick Miller
Name: Rick Miller
Family: My bride is Kelsea Miller, we have been married for over 14 years. We have 4 children (Caden 11, Ally Claire 8, Molly Lou 5, & Tucker 2). Kelsea is currently pregnant with our 5th child (girl), she will be born in May.
Awards: 2016 Tulsa New Leaders Award
Company & Location: Fund Your Org (Tulsa)
Specialties: Fundraising Consulting/Benefit Auctions
Years in the auction business: 14
Favorite Auction Memory: Mr Ed always would say to me “Son you will know you’ve made it in this business when they call you instead of me” I think of that conversation often. What am I doing to make my phone ring?
Best part about being a member of OSAA: OSAA provides me with networking and educational opportunities I cannot get anywhere else. The OSAA is my auction family.
Favorite Auction Education Topic: I am most interested in topics associated to business development, entrepreneurship, and innovation as it relates to small business.
How/when did you decide to become an auctioneer: I read the book “Millionaire Next Door” in 2006. The author discusses the auction profession in this book, and I signed up for auction school as I was finishing reading it. If you haven’t read “Millionaire Next Door,” I would highly recommend it.
Who introduced you to the OSAA and when: I was introduced to OSAA at auction school 2006. I attended my first OSAA winter conference that next year.
Matthew Sandmann
Name: Matthew Sandmann
Family: I am married to my wife, Dawna, of almost 7 years, and and we have two daughters: Abigail Grace (3), and Caitlin Jane (1)
Awards: 2019 Pro Bid Calling Runner Up
Company & Location: Sandmann Auction LLC, Atoka, OK
Specialties: We focus on onsite, live, estates and liquidations. However, we are starting to add more online auctions to our business.
Years in the auction business: I will be starting my 4th year in the auction business this year. Our first auction, Dawna was on maternity leave and Abigail was a month old.
Favorite auction memory: Every sale is a unique memory, so it is hard to choose one in particular.
Best part about being a member of the OSAA: It's the members. Being able to have a community of auction professionals to socialize and problem solve issues within our industry.
Favorite Auction education topic: I am always ready to learn. I do not believe I have a specific topic I like more than others. I just like to soak in as much information as I can, so I can better serve my sellers and buyers.
How/when did you decide to become an auctioneer: I always was interested, but it was my Dad who pushed me to go. Thankfully he did. I attended auction school in June of 2016, and my wife and I produced our first auction on Halloween weekend that year.
Who introduced you to the OSAA and when: I found OSAA online looking for contests and attended my first summer meeting in 2017. However, I was welcomed by a host of members. I appreciate every one of them. Being new in the industry, it is humbling to be welcomed and supported like I have been from the entire membership.
