SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – He has rhythm, showmanship and now a new title.
On Saturday, Oct. 29, Rowlan Hill was named the 2005 Pacific Open Champion Auctioneer in the California State Auctioneers Association’s (CSAA) Pacific Open Bid-Calling Championship. The auctioneer from Goodyear, Ariz., took the title in the inaugural event that drew 34 auctioneers from across the United States. It was held at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, as part of the CSAA’s 2005 Conference.

The event was strictly a bid-calling exhibition, open to auctioneers throughout the Pacific Coast and all around the country (including current and past state and national champions). The purpose was to recognize auction professionals for their unique and versatile chants, and to promote the auction method of marketing.

Hill believes his “rhythm” helped him earn the coveted title. And that’s easily understandable considering he has a degree in music from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. But he also believes his nervous energy played a role.
“I still get nervous before I go up on the (auction) block,” he said. “And you always get nervous when you’re in front of your peers. But I think when you quit getting nervous then it’s time for you to quit because you can take that nervousness and turn it into energy.”

A twenty-year veteran of the auction industry, Hill has sold most every kind of property through auction. He works for the American Bureau of Auction Marketing Exchange (ABAMEX), a company based in San Diego that specializes in personal and real property auctions. For the company, Hill conducts a number of auctions in Spanish for the Hispanic population. Each Thursday he serves as an auto auctioneer at the Greater Phoenix Auto Auction.

The bid-calling title is not his first and he certainly hopes it won’t be his last. In 1989, he was named International Champion Livestock Auctioneer. In July 2006, he plans to compete for the international bid-calling title in the International Auctioneer Championship sponsored by the National Auctioneers Association. The event will take place at the Caribe Royale Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

The Pacific Open Championship included a pro division and a rookie division, for auctioneers with five or fewer years of experience in the field. Taking the reserve champion title in the pro division was Trent Stewart, of Redmond, Ore. Other winners in the pro division were: Ralph Wade, Chickasha, Okla., first runner-up; and Mark Fisher, Mokelumne Hill, Calif., second runner-up. Rounding out the top 10 were: Paul Ramirez, Tucson, Ariz.; Paul McCartan, West Bend, Iowa; Merv Hilpipre, Cedar Falls, Iowa; Jim Glines, Santa Maria, Calif.; Eric Jordan, Carrollton, Ga.; and Michael Imbrogno, Fresno, Calif. The rookie division champion was Rusty Rhynalds, Upland, Neb. Others placing in the rookie division were: Mitch Jordan, Phoenix, Ariz., reserve champion; and Justin Hargrave, Mesa, Ariz., first-runner up. Rounding out the top five rookies were: Oscar Jarmillo, Tucson; and Eddie Lugo, Chino, Calif.

In the competition, each contestant was required to auction three items to the crowd. Then the field was narrowed to 10 pro finalists and 5 rookie finalists who, again, auctioned three items to the crowd. A panel of judges representing a cross-section of the auction industry judged the event. A portion of the proceeds raised will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.

Hill received a cash prize, trophy and championship ring for winning the title. To see a list of upcoming auctions where you can see his award-winning chant in action, go to www.abamex.com.

Browse CSAA News Articles...