2007 Hall of Fame Inductees
July 21, 2007, San Diego, CA - Leaders in the auction industry and mentors to their peers, the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) inducted three new members to its Hall of Fame. Tom "Spanky" Assiter, Cookie Lockhart, and Larry Theurer were honored at the NAA's 58th International Auctioneers Association's Conference and Show in San Diego. The three received their honor at the President's Gala on Saturday evening at the Town and Country Resort & Convention Center.
Tom "Spanky" Assiter, CAI - Fulfilling a childhood dream, "Spanky" Assiter not only became an auctioneer, but a legend in the industry. Since founding the Amarillo, Texas based Assiter & Assiter in 1983, Spanky has become one of the most sought after auctioneers in the world. While his forte may be viewed as automobile auctions with 12 years of sales at the Barret Jackson Classic Car Auction and extensive work with major automobile manufacturers, his selling experience also includes livestock, antiques and real estate. Committed to the future of the auction industry, "Spanky" has been a role model and mentor to his fellow auctioneers as an instructor at the World Wide College of Auctioneering, a member of the NAA's Board of Directors, and Past-President and officer of the Texas Auctioneers Association. "Spanky" earned the highly coveted International Auctioneers Championship award in 1991.
Cookie Lockhart, CAI, CES, GPPA, AARE - Known as the "The Nation's Leading Lady Auctioneer", Cookie is one of the first great women of the auction industry. After completing auction school in 1963, the only woman out of a class of 126 men, Cookie joined her family's auction business, Lockhart Auction and Realty, which was established by her father, Si Lockhart, in 1932. Since becoming an auctioneer Cookie has handled thousands of auctions across the country. In recent years, Cookie has turned to real estate auctions as her specialty and has auction businesses in her hometown of Steam Boat Springs, Colorado and Charleston, South Carolina. Known for her destinctive sense of style, Cookie can always be spotted wearing stylish Western attire, a cowboy hat, and her trademark glasses. Cookie has been a long-time advocate of the NAA and is a former member of the Board of Directors.
Larry Theurer, CAI, GPPA - An innovative leader, Larry helped lead the NAA through its growth in 2002 from 6,300 members to 7,000 members. As President of the NAA, Larry helped create new incentives and benefits for members including the expansion of the association's educational programs. Upon graduating from Reisch World Wide College of Auctioneering in 1976, Larry established Theurer Auction/Realty in Wellington, Kansas. Theurer became involved with the NAA in 1978 and previous designations and leadership positions held within the industry include Past President of the Kansas Auctioneers Association and the Kansas Auctioneers Association's Hall of Fame. His family business conducts a wide range of auctions including: commercial and farm equipment, farm land, antiques and collectibles, restaurant equipment, office furnishings, and trucks and trailers. He is licensed in Kansas and Oklahoma as a real estate broker and a real estate property appraiser in Kansas.