Convention Memories

4 weeks ago

Charles William Whitley - Auctioneer/Staff Spotlight
KAA Executive Director
Realtor - Keller Williams First Choice Realty

Charles Whitley is a native of Warren County, KY and grew up in the Hydro community near the Barren County line. He graduated from North Warren High School and Western Kentucky University, where he was employed for 2 ½ years following graduation.

His career path has led him on various adventures including becoming a Dale Carnegie Course Instructor. Recognized as ‘the incredible Mr. Fix It’, he opened a hardware store in his hometown of Smiths Grove, KY and operated it for fifteen years, while also being employed as a Regional Sales Manager for a major hardware wholesaler for five of those years. He sold the hardware store, which continues in operation today, in 2003.

Seeking yet another adventure, he became licensed as a real estate agent and auctioneer in 2003 and found his life’s calling. He quickly became involved with the local Board of Realtors, the Kentucky Auctioneers Association, and the National Auctioneers Association. In 2006 he was selected by the KAA to serve as it’s Executive Director, a position he held for some 6 ½ years.

With the advent of online auctions, he became deeply involved with the marketing of real estate and personal property for auction using the online bidding platform. He has participated in hundreds of internet auctions selling thousands of lots of personal property and multiple tracts of real estate.

In 2015 Charles earned the Certified Estate Specialist (CES) designation from the National Auctioneers Association.
Together with his wife, Debbie, also an auctioneer, they specialized in estate transition services by assisting individuals and families with downsizing, moving to assisted living, and total liquidation of estates following the death of a loved one until they sold their auction company in 2018.

In September of 2018, Charles was asked by the KAA Board to serve as Interim Executive Director while the search for a permanent Executive Director was conducted. He applied for the position and was formally hired at the February 8th, 2019 Board meeting. Charles has been honored to serve the Board and the Association through the transition and helping to keep the train on the tracks as the Board addresses the complex issues facing the Association.

Today, in addition to his KAA duties, he is involved in the launch of a new auction company and continues as a REALTOR® with Keller Williams First Choice Realty in Bowling Green, KY. His workshop usually has a project going and he and Debbie try to visit a lovely beach resort at least once a year.

KAA Note: Charles has been a great asset to the KAA and has helped us tremendously in an important transition period. Thanks, Charles & Debbie for your many years of service and dedication to the Kentucky Auctioneers Association. ... See MoreSee Less

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Kentucky Auctioneers Association shared a video.

1 month ago

John M. Kessler doing his thing on the Tobacco Auction Block. He did a great job and won the 1987 World Tobacco Auctioneering Championship. Great job John! ... See MoreSee Less

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Kentucky Auctioneers Association

2 months ago

Auctioneer Spotlight - Amy Whistle, Auctioneer & Realtor
Kurtz Auction & Realty Co.
KAA Board of Directors

I grew up in Winchester, KY, but I am from Beattyville, KY. I currently live in Daviess County.

I have been an auctioneer for 15 years; I’ve been a member of KAA for 13 of those years. My first experience with an auction was in 1992 when I went home with my college roommate. We stayed out too late the night before and her dad got us up bright and early to work an auction in Leitchfield, KY. My biggest influences have been Mike Melloan, John Kurtz (John is President of Kurtz Auctions & Realty), and Terri Walker, my CAI Class Sponsor.

My favorite auction memory was the first time I was invited to work an auction. It was about 2 degrees and we were in Beechgrove, KY selling a few tracts of land. What strikes me most about this day is it was the first time someone had actually bid with me and land prices were taking a leap at that time. It was exhilarating to do business that quick with so much money on the line and to be responsible for making sure everyone was in the loop. That was the first time I could feel the energy in the ring rise, and I was a part of it. I was also able to show my colleagues that I was invested, and I would work hard and learn everything I could.

At Kurtz, our core competency is selling real estate at auction. When there is personal property involved with the real estate, we will sell it also. We sell heavy equipment and have specialty auctions with a large number of assets aside from real estate.

I'm a 2015 graduate of the Certified Auctioneer's Institute (CAI), a licensed Realtor and a Principal Auctioneer. I’ve also been featured in an article in Farm World about being a female in a male-dominated industry.

I have been on the Board of Directors with the KAA for 4 years now, I began my 2nd term in February this year.

It seems that auctioneers don’t really retire. Not because they can’t, but because they can’t get it out of their blood. I hope to be in the industry as long as the Lord sees fit and as long as I am giving back to the industry and helping others that are stepping into it. I would love to have more opportunities to educate people on the auction industry and the relevance it has in an ever-changing market.

Note: We want to give a big thanks to Amy Whistle on her many years of service and support of the auction industry, as well as the KAA. ... See MoreSee Less

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Kentucky Auctioneers Association shared a post.

2 months ago

Enter today! $10,000 reasons why you should! Visit www.texaslonestaropen.com
Contest is Oct.25th in Fort Worth, Texas! @Texas Auctioneers Association National Auctioneers Association ... See MoreSee Less

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Kentucky Auctioneers Association

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