2021 Auctioneer Of The Year, New Officers And Directors And Scholarships Announced For Nebraska Auctioneers Association

(Hastings, Nebraska) Roy Montgomery of Montgomery Auction & Realty L.L.C., Guide Rock, NE, has been elected President of the Nebraska Auctioneers Association for 2021-2022. Roy began a 3rd generation auction career in December of 1980 working with his grandfather Ed, father “Slim” and his uncle “Andy” in a four-generation auction family. In 1984, he obtained a real estate salesman license, working for American Eagle Realty of Edgar, NE. In 1988, he became a real estate broker and started Montgomery Auction & Realty, licensed in Kansas and Nebraska. Beside working with his family and several auctioneers from Nebraska & Kansas, he has owned, managed, auctioned and
represented cattlemen in the livestock market industry. He married his wife, Linda, in November of 1986, and they have two grown children, Ross & Erin. Roy & Linda reside north of Guide Rock near his mother Jeaniece and have a cattle and hay operation. Roy is a member of the Nebraska, Kansas, and National Auctioneers Association. His election was
announced at the 72nd Annual Convention held at the C3 Hotel & Convention Center, Hastings, Nebraska, April 30, May 1-2, 2021. Scott Jarman, The Auction Mill, Cedar Bluffs, NE, was elected President-Elect and Mark Kliewer, Kliewer Auction Service, Aurora, NE, was elected Vice-President.

Newly elected board members include Clay Patton, Clay Patton Auction Service, Lexington, NE; Clay Schaardt, Schaardt Auction Service, Table Rock, NE; and Kelly Kliewer, Kliewer Auction Service, Aurora, NE. Also, in conjunction with the convention, Duane Wellensiek, Wellensiek Auction Co., LLC, Cook, NE, was named 2021 Nebraska Auctioneer of the Year. Duane was awarded a commemorative plaque, Stetson hat and trophy belt buckle. Awarded $1,000 college scholarships at the annual awards banquet from the Association, Auxiliary and Foundation
were the 2020 and 2021 recipients. 2020 scholarship recipients were: Lindsay Schutz who is the daughter of Vern and Amy Schutz and granddaughter of Dave and Garlan Muirhead, Overton, NE. Lindsay graduated from Bertrand High School in 2019 and is currently attending the University of Nebraska at Kearney. After finishing schooling at UNK she plans to attend UNMC for radiology with the intent to become a radiologic technologist.

Ben Schow, son of Kyle & Cheryl Schow and grandson of Leah Schow and the late Dean Schow all of Paxton, NE. Ben is currently a sophomore student at the University of Nebraska Lincoln majoring in Agribusiness with a minor in Entrepreneurship. After college, Ben hopes to continue the family auction business, started by his late grandfather Dean
Schow, long-time member of the NAA. Jacob Schroeder graduated from Hastings High School in 2020. He is currently attending Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, and is pursuing a degree in Finance. He is also a member of the Washburn University Baseball Team.

Jacob is the son of Troy and Leslie Schroeder, and the grandson of Randall & Barbara Ruhter of Hastings (association and auxiliary members), and Leonard & Rosie Schroeder of Kenesaw.; and Trevan Rut is the son of Tom and Kris Rut of Arthur, Nebraska, and is a 2019 graduate of Arthur County High School. He recently completed his second year at Southeast Community College in Beatrice with an educational focus in diversified agriculture and agricultural education. Trevan plans to transfer to a four-year institution. Trevan is the
grandson of NeAA members Bill and Aris Rut of Dorchester.

2021 scholarship recipients were: Jessa Lynn Bailey, daughter of Gerud & Connie Elson and the granddaughter of Lindy Elson, all of Curtis, NE. Jessa is a 2021 graduate of Medicine Valley High School, Curtis, NE, and she plans to attend McCook Community College to study Early Childhood Education. Jessa would like to become a pre-school teacher. Keegan Schow, son of Kevin and Kim Schow and the grandson of Leah Schow, and the late Dean Schow, all of Paxton, NE. Keegan is a 2021 graduate of Paxton Consolidated Schools, Paxton, NE. Keegan plans to attend Southeast Community College in Milford, NE and major in Electrical/Electromechanical Technology. After college Keegan wants to return to western Nebraska to continue helping with the family farming/ranching/auction business, along with the option of starting his own electrical business or other opportunities that arise from his degree.

Ayden Prososki, son of Mark and Nadine Prososki, Columbus, NE, and grandson of Mike and Lin Baxter, Ainsworth, NE. Ayden is a 2021 graduate of Columbus Public Schools, Columbus, NE and plans to attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and major in Mechanical Engineering. Ayden wants to leave a lasting impact on the world
through engineering by being able to create and invent.

The Nebraska Association works with more than 3,500 members of the National Auctioneers Association throughout the world. The National Auctioneers Association is the largest organization of its kind dedicated to promoting the auction method of marketing.

The Nebraska Auctioneers Association is headquartered in Rising City, Nebraska.

2021 Auctioneer of the Year B Duane Wellensiek, Cook, NE

Duane Wellensiek, Wellensiek Auction Co., LLC, Cook, NE, has been a long-time member of the Nebraska Auctioneers Association. After high school he attended auction school in Mason City, IA. He has attended almost all of the Nebraska Auctioneers Association conventions since the late 1970’s. He has served on the board of directors several times and served as the association President. Duane operates a successful and respected auction business, Wellensiek Auction Co., LLC, and has the support of his family helping him. His grandfather was an auctioneer in the early 1950’s. In addition to his auction business, he owns a trucking company, and he is in a farming operation with his brothers.

Over the past 44 years he has conducted many benefit auctions, farm equipment, antique, estate auctions and much more. He is highly respected and well-thought of in his community. As one of his clients put it…….”He is trustworthy, honest, hard-working and a great guy to do business with.”

Congratulations Duane Wellensiek, Wellensiek Auction Co., LLC, Cook, NE, as the 2021 Nebraska Auctioneers Association Auctioneer of the Year.

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