28 years old • Keenesburg
Auctioneer at Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company
What’s your occupation? Explain your career, accomplishments and professional highlights.
I work for Schrader Real Estate and Auction, where I manage real estate and equipment sales focusing on agricultural assets all over the country. I have managed sales in seven states and hold licenses in seven states. My greatest accomplishment to date was co-managing a sale of more than 7,400 acres in Wisconsin last year that was offered in 103 tracts fetching $46,194,000. I am also part of a team that conducts more than 100 fundraising auctions a year for nonprofits and schools in the greater Denver area. In 2024, I was honored to be named the Champion Novice Auctioneer for the state of Colorado.
Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
I grew up in Keenesburg. After high school, I attended Clarendon College, where I was a member of the 2015 Meat Judging Team. I then transferred to Texas Tech University, where I majored in animal science and was a member of the 2017 undefeated national champion Meat Judging Team. I then coached the 2018 national champion Meat Judging Team at Clarendon. After graduation, I worked for Cargill for three years in Schuyler, Neb. I met the Schrader family through my wife, and upon going to work for Schrader, I moved back to Keenesburg to grow sales in the western U.S.
Tell us something unique about you.
I help put on an event every year called Ropin’ Rascals. We invite special needs children to come be a cowboy for a day. They get to ride horses, swing a rope, ride tractors, climb up in a helicopter and participate in many other activities.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishment or challenge you’ve overcome, either professionally or personally?
My biggest accomplishment so far in life is having two sons and a beautiful wife of five years. The greatest challenge I have overcome is making a career change and moving states with a young family.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
In five years, I see myself continuing to expanding my footprint managing sales across the western U.S. In 10 years, I see myself finished having kids as well as being fully established in the western U.S. conducting auctions. At some point in my career, I have a goal of managing an international real estate auction.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
To be patient and good things will come, which is something I am still working on. I would also emphasize that doing the right thing will yield better results long-term than doing something for immediate gratification. I would also stress to give back as much as you can, both financially and giving of your time to help youth and your community.
What initially drew you to auctioneering, and how did you learn how to do it?
At a young age, I found auctioneering intriguing. I have always been a talker, but seeing an auctioneer’s ability to negotiate a sale price in such a short amount of time while talking so fast and clear is what initially drew me to the trade. I learned the basics of auctioneering by attending the World Wide College of Auctioneering in 2022. Another role in the auction industry is the part of ringman, who is the one on the floor with the bidders turning bids in to the auctioneer (they are the individuals you hear at an auction yelling loudly). I work a lot of auctions as a ringman throughout the year and recently attended the World Champion Ringman College to learn how to perfect that role.
How much of what you do is for nonprofits and schools, and why is it important to you to help involve youth in agriculture?
I work roughly 30-40 auctions for nonprofits and schools during the year, which is something I greatly enjoy doing in my personal time. I serve as an auctioneer and ringman for the Weld County Junior Livestock Sale, helping youth in 4-H and FFA organizations earn money for their livestock projects. I also help raise money for Colorado Youth Outdoors and the Southeast Weld County Junior Livestock Sale, and I coach the FFA Meat Judging Team at Weld Central High School. The number of individuals entering the agricultural sector is decreasing daily, therefore I stand behind the importance of helping youth understand that it is an industry with jobs requiring a multitude of skill sets and remains in high demand while offering rewarding financial opportunities.
