News
Auctioneer From Eugene Captures Second Bid Calling Championship
September 8, 2005
OAA Press release
SALEM, OR – Winning is sweet. But it's even sweeter the second time around. For the second time, Jake Cheechov, an auctioneer and businessman from Eugene, Ore., has captured the top title in the Oregon Grand Champion Auctioneer Competition. The event was held Sept. 2 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem. It was presented by the Oregon Auctioneers Association (OAA) and the Oregon State Fair. Cheechov earned the coveted title for the first time in 2003. It was his first time to compete in the event. And now he is thrilled to take the reins again this year. "It's a great honor to win twice," Cheechov said. "It just makes it that much sweeter." Cheechov is the owner and manager of Pacific Industrial Auctions, LLC, an auction company based in Eugene which specializes in auctions and appraisals of commercial, business and industrial assets as well as quarterly heavy equipment sales of agricultural, construction and forestry equipment. He loves being an auctioneer and said he enters bid-calling competitions not so much to win, but to better himself as an auction professional. Held since 1986, the Oregon Grand Champion Auctioneer Competition serves to promote the auction method of marketing throughout the state, while emphasizing the importance of the auctioneer as an effective marketing specialist. This year's contestants faced off for the title auctioning three items to the audience in both the preliminary and final rounds. Contestants were judged on their appearance and poise, body language and eye contact with the crowd, and the clarity, speed and rhythm of their chants. Auctioneers winning the runner-up spots in the event were Dennis Turmon, Powell Butte, first runner-up; and Marcus Morgan, The Dalles, second runner-up. In recognition of the plight of the residents of the Gulf Coast, the 10 percent buyer's premium on items auctioned was donated to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. As winner of the Oregon Grand Champion Auctioneer Competition, Cheechov received a $500 cash prize provided by the Capital Press, and a trophy and one-year paid OAA membership, courtesy of Industrial Publishing/Koke Printing Company (IP/Koke). He also received a one-year paid membership to the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) and paid registration for the NAA's International Auctioneer Championship set for July 2006 in Orlando. This annual event draws dozens of auctioneers from throughout the country who vie for the international title. In October, he plans to compete in the Northwest Bid-Calling Championship sponsored by the Washington Auctioneers Association.
