2006 - NAA Hall of Fame Inducts Three New Auctioneers

Orlando, Florida - The National Auctioneers Association (NAA) recently recognized three veteran auctioneers for their leadership and dedication within the auction industry by inducting them into the NAA Hall of Fame.

Robert A. Doyle, CAI, CES, of Pleasant Valley, NY, Robert G. Frey, of Archbold, Ohio, and George M. Kurtz, of Morganfield, Ken., received the honor during the NAA's 57th International Auctioneers Conference and Show held July 10-15 in Orlando, FL.

Robert Doyle is Principal Auctioneer/Appraiser at Absolute Auction & Realty, Inc. and is a certified Appraiser, Auctioneer, and Real Estate Broker. He served as the 50th President of the National Auctioneers Association and is the Past-President of New York State Auctioneers Association, as well as the Past-President of the New York City Auctioneers Association. Doyle currently serves on the NAA's Foundation Board of Directors.

Robert Frey serves as President of Frey & Sons, which handles auctions including: construction, industrial, transportation services, farm equipment, trucking and real estate. Graduating from Reppert's Auction School in 1958, Frey has been an auctioneer since 1958.

George Kurtz has been in the auction business since 1945. His company, Kurtz Auction & Realty Company specializes in residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial and recreational properties. Kurtz's family has three generations of auctioneers: George, Bill and John Kurtz. Some interesting auctions Kurtz has conducted include a pari-mutuel thoroughbred racetrack, an island in the Ohio River, a whiskey distillery and a 22,000-acre U.S. Army base.

Each year, the NAA, the world's largest professional Auctioneers association, accepts nominations for its Hall of Fame recognition. Criteria for the recognition include: Contributions made to the auction profession, involvement with the NAA, involvement in state Auctioneers associations, and community involvement/activities.

The NAA began this revered program in 1961 to bring visibility and pay tribute to longstanding members who have made significant contributions to the auction industry. To date, more than 100 members have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

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With more than 6,000 members from throughout the world, the National Auctioneers Association is the largest organization of its kind dedicated to promoting the auction method of marketing and enhancing the professionalism of its members. Member benefits range from federal legislative representation to comprehensive continuing education programs, including coursework to earn the following professional auctioneer designations: Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI), Accredited Auctioneer, Real Estate (AARE), Graduate Personal Property Appraiser (GPPA) and Certified Estate Specialist (CES). The organization was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Overland Park, Kan. For more information on the NAA and its programs, log on to www.auctioneers.org.