Contract Auction Specialist

The Contract Auction Specialist is a two-day course that shows contract auction professionals how to treat what they do as a business, covering marketing, sales, professionalism, and money management including the tax and insurance implications of working for yourself.

Requirements for CAS

  • Be a member of the NAA
  • Register and attend all 16 hours of the CAS designation class
  • Complete and submit a Designation Application
  • Within two years of completing the class, submit four evaluations from a contract auction

What CAS can do for you

Earning any designation demonstrates your commitment to continuing education both to the public and members of the industry. It also enables members to network with like-minded individuals in the classroom and through additional networking events, but here are some specific benefits of a CAS designation.

Not only does the CAS designation help contract auction professionals up their game, but it makes them more attractive as potential employees. This class sheds light on the concept of seeing your contract position as a business to be managed rather than just a job position. It goes beyond the auction event itself and covers the importance of running a business and marketing your auctions. The class exposes students to niches and industries that may not have been previously considered to help grow their business.

To maintain your designation

  • Be a member of the NAA
  • Pay the annual designation dues of $50 ($25 if also hold CAI) by October 31
  • Complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every three years


Check back for details on the next class offering.
 

CAS Instructors

Peter Gehres, CAI, CAS, CES
Peter D. Gehres, CAI, CES, CAS is the Chief Operating Officer of Jeff Martin Auctioneers, Inc, North America's fastest-growing equipment auction company, with auction sites in 12 states and growing. He currently serves as a Director of the National Auctioneers Association and is the 2015 International Auctioneer Champion. He also regularly assists charities, nonprofits, and other organizations to raise money through live auction events and special appeals. Over his career, Gehres has worked as an auctioneer for Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auctions, RES Auction Services, Brandly & Associates, Brinkman Auctions, Freije & Freije Auctioneers, Akron Auto Auction, Southern Auto Auction, National Powersports Auctions, ADESA, and Manheim/Cox Automotive.

Dustin Rogers, CAI, CAS
Dustin is a third generation auctioneer from Mount Airy, NC. He is a graduate of Mendenhall School of Auctioneering where he was named Best All Around. In 2006, Dustin was named Rookie Bid Calling Champion by the AANC. In 2007, Dustin was Second Runner Up in the Inaugural International Junior Auctioneer Championship. In 2008, Dustin won Grand Champion Auctioneer in the AANC State Bid Calling Contest. Dustin has been a finalist in the International Auctioneer Championship every year since 2010, placing 2nd in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016 and 3rd in 2012 and 2014 before winning the contest in 2017.
Dustin specializes in selling Machinery and Equipment along with Fundraising, Real Estate, Automobiles and Livestock Auctions. His fundraising events have been done along side many celebrities including Kyle & Richard Petty, Craig Morgan, Davis Love III, Michael Waltrip and more. He has worked as a contract auctioneer for some of the world?s largest auctioneers, conducting auctions across the United States as well as seven foreign countries in English and Spanish. Dustin is the Lead Auctioneer for CAT Auction Services and Auctioneer for Ritchie Bros Auctioneers.

Charles Nicholls, CAS
Charles Nicholls is the founder and chairman of the board of Nicholls Auction Marketing Group. He, along with his wife Jean, founded the company in 1968 and together they have devoted their professional lives to building a successful business. Charles graduated from the Reisch Auctioneering School (now World Wide College of Auctioneering) in Mason City, IA, in 1968. He is a member of the National Auctioneers Association and the Virginia Auctioneers Association where he has served on the Board of Directors and numerous committees. For 40 years, Charles Nicholls was the head auctioneer at the two largest auto auctions in the state of Virginia. He is a licensed realtor, a certified appraiser by C.A.G.A., and one of the first holders of the Contract Auction Specialist designation. Charles is a trustee and active member of Spotswood Baptist Church, and he is very active in the Fredericksburg community serving many non-profit organizations for 50 years. He was awarded the Bernie Hart Memorial Award by the National Automobile Auction Association in October 2004 in Nashville, TN. This award recognizes a lifetime of superior achievement, leadership, and overall professionalism in the industry. In 2006, Charles was honored by being named to the Virginia Auctioneer's Hall of Fame. Charles, a gifted teacher and mentor to many, is a true legend in the world of auctioneering.

Doak Lambert, CAS
Doak grew up with an interest in the cattle business. While in college, he also became interested in the auction business, and in 1986, graduated from the Missouri Auction School in Kansas City, Missouri. Lambert started in the auction business in 1986 with a focus on purebred cattle auctions, and over the years, he has presided over some of the most prominent livestock auctions in U.S., including selling champion stock at the Ft. Worth Stock Show, Houston Livestock Show and the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City.




Shane Ratliff, CAS
Shane is a founding partner of Estate Auction Group, LLC and is one of the most decorated auction professionals in the world. Mr. Ratliff is one of the elite auctioneers to hold the distinguished titles of NAA International Champion Auctioneer as well as World Champion Automobile Auctioneer. Mr. Ratliff is President and CEO of Ratliff Auctioneers, Inc. which oversees over 600 auctions annually, working extensively with major automobile and power sport manufacturers on a weekly basis. In addition, Mr. Ratliff has helped non-profit organizations around the world reach their goals through fundraising auction services for over 20 years. Along with celebrity fundraising events, Shane is often seen on national television defining auctioneering excellence for Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, the "world's greatest collector car auctions." In recognition for a lifetime of professional achievement, Shane Ratliff was the recipient of the NAA Auctioneer of the Year award in 2007.