CANDIDATE PROFILE AND ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

1.If elected, what would you recommend or do that would grow the NAA membership during the next three years while you serve?

ANSWER: I would encourage each and every person that I came into contact with, that is a part of the auction industry, to join and be an active member of the NAA. I would recommend they take advantage of the educational opportunities, and member services that NAA provides. This information will enable them to stay in tune with the issues affecting our industry, and enhance their professionalism. Supporting education, membership, and involvement in NAA will enhance the professionalism of the practitioners of the competitive bidding methods, and increase the awareness of the auction industry.

2.What Auction and life experiences do you possess that will benefit NAA and the membership by your serving on the board?

ANSWER: I feel blessed and very fortunate to have grown up in a family auction business. Together with my parents and their partners, I have gathered a wealth of knowledge in my young 39 years. I have progressed through all the jobs associated w/ an auction business and I have a deep passion and belief in the auction method of marketing. I believe my leadership abilities, experience, and my desire and willingness to learn, will help the NAA, and it members. A favorite passage of mine is: Success is not a goal, rather a pathway. Each one of us may have different pathways, when combined it will enable all of us to better serve our clients and promote the industry.

3.What are your top five goals that NAA should include in its Long Range Plan for the next 5 years?

ANSWER: Promotion and awareness; market research; enhanced education; increase member benefits; and build competitive bidding alliances.  

Promotion on a national basis that increases awareness to the general public of the advantages of the competitive bidding method of marketing for both sellers and buyers. This will help all involved in the auction industry. Market research will point each of us in the right direction. Educational workshops that continue to bend the bar and enhance professionalism. Embrace and welcome auction staff and those in the marketing industry into our profession and substantiate their membership value. When we build alliances everybody wins.


4.What changes do you foresee in the profession in the next 5 to 10 years, and how can NAA be best positioned to address those changes?

ANSWER: I foresee many changes, some of which are still on the horizon. Some that come to mind include: Increase usage of live internet auctions and technology; increased usage of diverse marketing plans for both sellers and prospective buyers; and an increased use of the competitive bidding method, in all of its forms. NAA is the leading visionary for the auction industry. By staying in tune with the NAA each of us will be able to react to the industry trends and better serve our clients. By providing research and enhanced education, through membership NAA will stay at the forefront of the auction industry.

5.Most members agree that changes in the industry over the past 10 years have been significant. Given that a growing number of professionals involved in the auction industry today are not traditional bid callers, should NAA offer membership to those making auction marketing their career?

ANSWER: Yes. The auction industry’s foundation is built upon the traditional “bid caller” and often is the preferred choice. I believe we need to embrace all involved with the competitive bidding process and welcome them to our association. One of Americas Greatest opportunities is the individuals right of choice. What works for one may not work for the other. The key is that we respect each others opinions and alternative ways of doing business. 

6.In your opinion, how can NAA enhance the image of the individual Auctioneer and the Auction Method of Marketing?

ANSWER: Tremendous strides have been made in this area. I recognize that many programs are being implemented to increase awareness of the competitive bidding method. We need to continue our multi media marketing efforts. NAA’s promotion of the industry offers unlimited value to the industry and the individual auctioneer. In the end, the real responsibility always rests with the individual. We must get involved with NAA assisting with its mission and vision. Working together through cooperation and embracing new ideas and change we can take our industry to new Horizons.

7.Please explain what you see as your role, if elected to the board, and how will you make a difference in NAA, versus the other candidates.

ANSWER: I will listen, communicate, evaluate and make decisions that are best for the membership as a whole. I have a deep passion for the auction industry. I have been told that I’m a people person. I thoroughly enjoy visiting with members of the NAA and will make myself available anytime for member discussion. I will promote the advantages of getting involved. I will follow those that have gone before building upon their accomplishments. Orion Samuelson, a national farm market reporter said, “Find something that you love so much that you would do it for free, and then do that job so well that you get paid for it.” I believe I have found that and welcome the opportunity to represent the membership of the NAA on the board of directors.





International Auctioneer Championship
Contestant Information Form

Name:            Monte W. Lowderman
Shipping Address:    10985 East 1000th Rd,     Macomb, Illinois   61455
Telephone Number:    (309) 833-5543        Fax:    (309) 833-5500        E-Mail: info@lowderman.com
Have you participated in the IAC before?    No
Are you a current or past State Bid Calling Champion:    Yes
Location and date of your championship:    Illinois ISAA, August 2005
Would you like NAA to write News Releases Promoting your IAC participation in Orlando, Fl?    Yes
International Auctioneer Championship News Release Information Form

1.How long have you been in the auction industry?

ANSWER: I consider my self one of the fortunate ones, being a second generation auctioneer, and having the opportunity to follow along with my father and his auction partner since I was 9 years old; both of whom I admire and have been mentors to me. I value the exposure and times, we as a family, would attend the LMA contests watching my father and his friends compete from an early age. I have been an active auctioneer since 1986.

2.What is your Auction specialty?

ANSWER: My auction specialty is real estate. However I also conduct purebred livestock, agri-business including machinery and equipment, estate, personal property, and liquidation auctions. I also conduct several benefit auctions in the local community and state & national organizations.

3.What are the most important rewards you expect in your auction career?

ANSWER: My goals in life are to be respected and considered a professional in the auction community; and to be a spokes person for the auction industry, as well as, viewed as a person who treats people fair and works each auction to the best of my abilities.

4.What do you consider to be your greatest strengths?

ANSWER: Everyone tells me that I am a people person. I love to interact with people, and with my outgoing personality and willingness to help others, the auction industry allows me to do this. My bid calling abilities compliment these strengths while at the same time showing enthusiasm and believing in the auction method of marketing.

5.What qualifications do you have that make you successful as an auctioneer?

ANSWER: I believe my leadership abilities, experience and my willingness to continue to learn by experience and education help make me a successful auctioneer. One of my favorite passages describes success is not a goal, rather a pathway. Each auction I conduct and the way that I handle each auction is an additional brick along the pathway to success.

6.What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?

ANSWER: Being involved and playing a major role in the success of our family auction business; and having the opportunity to work for a nationally recognized real estate auction company are very satisfying accomplishments. The most important satisfaction comes when a seller / client says, “That was a job well done, nobody else could of done the job as well“, because in the end, the true evaluation of an auctioneer is that of the seller and knowing that the buyers were treated fairly.

7.Describe the most rewarding experience of your auction career thus far?

ANSWER: The opportunity to make my sole livelihood in the profession I love, the auction business, since High School, is my most rewarding experience, as it now supports and provides for my family. For me, my experiences sum up family, friends, support, and hard work, all of which are keys to enjoying life and having a successful career. To quote Orion Samuelson, “Find something you love to do that you would do it for free, then do that job so well that you get paid for it”. I believe I have found that.