News & Events
Zaffarano wins auctioneer championship
Published: City NewsHound on Thursday, December 3, 2009 Vol. 5 No. 19
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Bridgeport resident wins auctioneer championship
Source:
Gazette Chicago
Vincenzo Zaffarano, executive vice president of Global Real Estate Auctions Inc.
and a Bridgeport resident, won the 2009 State Champion Bidcalling Contest at the
Illinois State Fair on Aug. 18, making him the first Chicagoan to win this prestigious
auctioneer recognition.
In both last year’s contest, in which Zaffarano finished third, and this year’s,
he competed against some of the best and most experienced auctioneers in the state.
The championship also makes him this year’s Illinois State Auctioneers Association
ambassador, who helps promote the auctioneer business and educate the community
about auctions. Next year, Zaffarano also will represent the organization in an
international auctioneers contest to be held in Greensboro, NC.
Zaffarano started his auctioneer career in the auto industry, but three years ago
he noticed real estate auctions were starting to take off, so he earned a real estate
license. “In less than a year and a half, I sold more than $9 million worth of real
estate auction property, so I knew this business was growing,” he said.
What sets Zaffarano apart from other auctioneers, he believes, is that he continues
to educate himself about the industry, and his goal is to educate others as well.
“I’d like to continue to educate the public on why auctions should be a first choice
and not the last resort,” he said. A good auctioneer, he said, can produce very
good results, but a bad auctioneer can leave “a bad taste in the client’s mouth,”
which is why “it’s so important to find the right person for the job. It’s very
important that whoever clients retain to do their event knows what they’re doing
because clients are putting all their trust into that individual,” he said.
Zaffarano feels honored to receive this year’s championship award and to be the
Illinois State Auctioneers Association ambassador.
“I will be promoting the business, promoting the association, attending all the
district meetings, and doing everything that I can to continue to educate the public,”
he added...read
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2009 Champion Vinnie Zaffarano
Vinnie Zaffarano of Chicago is a first generation Auctioneer. He attended his first
auction in May 1997 while working for a national automotive dealer. He immediately
fell in love with the auction business and its atmosphere. When he turned 29 in
February 1999, he decided to make a career change. He quit his job and took a vacation
to attend auction school. He graduated from the World Wide College of Auctioneering
in Mason City Iowa in May of that year and immediately began working as a ringman
at Greater Auto Auction in Alsip, Ill. International Champions Shane Ratliff (1992)
and Mike Espe (2000), became his mentors and helped him with constructive criticism
and daily support. Vinnie presently sells three auto auctions a week for Mannheim
Auctions.
In February 2004, Vinnie formed Zaffarano Auctioneers and began expanding his business.
He conducted his first charity auction in June 2004 for a small organization in
Worth, Ill. He then realized how much he loved raising money for individuals in
need. Vinnie quickly became known for his ability to produce positive results for
organization fundraisers.
As a strong believer in customer service, Vinnie realized the importance of continuing
education and in July 2008, he attended the Benefit Auction Specialist course at
the National Auctioneers Education Institute (NAI). Vinnie received his BAS designation
in November 2008 and continues to serve his clients in a manner consistent with
those teachings. He’s developed a very loyal clientele and presently conducts between
25-35 benefit auctions per year throughout the Midwest.
Always looking to expanding his business, Vinnie realized that Real Estate Auctions
were the fastest growing segment in the auction business. In March of 2006, he received
his real estate license and began working for a recognized real estate auction firm
in Oakbrook. In less than two years, Vinnie sold close to $9 million of real estate
at auction. In February 2009, he formed Global Real Estate Auctions, Inc with his
partner in Westmont, Ill. He attended the NAI and is working towards his designation
as an AARE (Accredited Auctioneer Real Estate). Zaffarano says, “Auctions should
be Sellers' first choice, not a last resort, as there is no better way to bring
buyers to the market place or draw attention to their property.” He educates and
consults both buyers and sellers through seminars on auction procedures and gives
bidders personal attention to help them through the auction process.
Zaffarano continues to compete in various venues to keep his Auctioneer skills sharp
and concise, whether calling the bid for a piece of real estate, an automobile,
or a benefit prize. It’s this continued dedication to honing his craft that helped
him win the competition at the Illinois State Fair. "It was great competing and
a lot of fun calling the bid for the champion steer. It’s a day I’ll always remember
and be proud to include it in my list of achievements during my auction career,"
Vinnie remarked, "Thanks ISAA for the opportunity."
Zaffarano is Illinois' 2009 Best Bidcaller
August 19, 2009 – Vinnie Zaffarano, BAS, of Chicago took the winner's
cup at the 27th Annual State Champion Bidcalling Contest at the Illinois State Fair
on Tuesday, August 18, 2009. Logan Schmid of Clinton was
selected winner of the First Annual Junior Bidcalling Contest.
Zaffarano was selected from the final round of the Top Eight which included Reserve
Champion Van Adkisson of Roseville, First Runner-up Alex Belcher, GA, of Buncombe,
Second Runner-up Ryan Jordan of Pana, Third Runner-Up Josh Hickey of Steward, Blake
Canning of Murphysboro, Dan Naughton of Atlanta, and Mark Sypherd, CAI of Nokomis.
Using the scoring system of the International Auctioneers Championship Contest,
scores of six Professional Auctioneers from four states were averaged to determine
the winners. The judging panel included 2008 Illinois Champion Jimmy
Hannagan of Gifford, 2007 Indiana Champion Jim Lestinsky of LaPorte, 2009 Minnesota
Champion Paul McCartan of Rochester, 2008 Wisconsin Champion Wayne Yoder of Wautoma,
2008 ISAA President Jon Bloomberg of Orion and 2008 ISAA Hall of Fame Member Vern
Mariman of Cambridge. Contestants were judged in 15 categories with accumulative
maximum score of 100.
The preliminary round also included Charles Bettis of St. Louis, Kevin Bunte, CAI
of Elgin, Adam Cripps of Murphysboro, Don Crist, CAI of Danville, Cody Hanold of
Brighton, Jonathan Kraft of Hobart, Inc., Dustin Polhemus of Hanna City, Ryan Wankel
of Jacksonville, Joseph Wieseman, CAGA of Worden and Tucker Wood of Brocton.
Logan Karcher of Dahlgren competed in the Junior Contest.
Zaffarano was among the four Professional Auctioneers who called bids at the Governor's
Sale of Champions in the evening. Joining him on the block were 1992 Champion
Mike Espe, 1993 Champion Adam Jokish, and State Representative Jim Sacia of Pecatonica.
Professional Auctioneers who served as ringmen by virtue of their positions were
2008 Illinois Champion Ringman Bobby Britz of Divernon, 2007 Illinois Champion Ringman
and 2008 International Ringman of the Year Alex Belcher, and 2008 ISAA President
Jon Bloomberg of Orion. Cory Craig of Edinburg serves on the Board for the
Governor's Sale of Champions.
Zaffarano and Schmid will represent the Illinois State Auctioneers Association in
the International Contest next July in Greensboro, N. Car.
For additional information visit
www.illinoisauctioneers.org/.