Indiana auctioneer TJ Freije wins 2016 International Auctioneer Championship
Freije breaks through and tops field of 73 other male competitors for career-changing championship.
Indianapolis, IN (July 28, 2016)– Emerging from an overall field of 94 competitors, TJ Freije, of Clayton, Indiana, and Beth Rose, of Maumee, Ohio were crowned as winners of the men’s and women’s National Auctioneers Association 29th International Auctioneer Championship, which took place Friday at the DeVos Place Convention Center.
The International Auctioneer Championship (IAC) was established in 1988. Freije is the 29th man to win the IAC and the first man from Indiana. IAC Champions are considered to be the “best of the best” within the auction industry. From livestock and auto auctioneers, to real estate and benefit auctioneers, each auctioneer competes against fellow professionals to be crowned an IAC Champion. IAC contestants must be 18 years of age or older, a current NAA member, and registered for conference. Seven judges score the contest, with final scores determined by combining the interview score (40 percent of the total) and the bid-calling score (60 percent of the total).
Richard “TJ” Freije is a third-generation auction professional and won the Indiana state bid-calling championship in 2005. He topped a fiercely competitive overall men’s field and finals group, coming in ahead of runner-up Dustin Rogers, CAI, of Mount Airy, North Carolina, who finished second for the second year in a row. After turning 21 just last week, 2014 International Junior Auctioneer Championship winner Justin Croy, of Culver, Indiana, finished third. TJ Freije is an auctioneer for Barrett-Jackson, Adesa, Indianapolis Car Exchange, National Powersport Auction, Auto Dealers Exchange, Martin & Martin Auctioneers, and Make-a-Wish.
When asked about his thoughts on winning the IAC, his response was, “I would like to thank all of the people who have invested, supported, and helped me. Not only with this achievement, but in life. This Association means so much more than a championship to me. I am humbled and honored to be able to serve as an Ambassador for the National Auctioneers Association for the next year.” Freije resides in Clayton, Indiana with his wife Joellyn, son Tyce, and daughter Kylie. Those who know TJ would say he is known for his relentless work ethic, dedicated family man, and strong in his faith. TJ Freije is also the President and Lead Auctioneer at Freije & Freije Auctions & Marketing, LLC located in Clayton, Indiana, west of Plainfield on US 40.
Freije Auctioneers is a full-service Auction Marketing, Real Estate, and Appraisal Company. Freije Auctioneers conducts more than 800 auctions per year, selling automobiles, livestock equipment, general merchandise, collectibles, antiques and real estate at live and online auctions. The appraisal arm of the company performs over 600 industrial, commercial, agricultural, and residential real estate appraisals, and personal property appraisals.
For more information, www.freijeauctioneers.com or (317) 539-2895.
Video Credit: National Auctioneers Association
Photo Credit: Myers Jackson
IAC Insider 