West Virginia Auctioneers Association

03/10/2026

The West Virginia Auctioneers Association is saddened by the passing of Charles “Charlie” M. McLeish, a longtime auctioneer, friend of the profession, and 2016 inductee into the West Virginia Auctioneers Hall of Fame.

Charlie dedicated his life to serving his family, community, and the auction profession. As the founder of McLeish Auction Services and a longtime member of both the West Virginia and Ohio Auctioneers Associations, he leaves behind a legacy that will not soon be forgotten.

We extend our deepest condolences to the McLeish family and all who knew and loved Charlie.

Rest in peace, Charlie. You will be missed.

https://www.wtap.com/2026/10/02/obituary-mcleish-charles-m-charlie/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAUtLj9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAWZkaWQWUPmgJpPPEouMwiaw8UcSCcN8xle6G3NydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR74TBIlmmBmzTYIp_Pk68ruD0ARMA2AlTWOeI7ddcYxBun9vO5JLt6n1zuwng_aem_ZzGFxdYX7jNn-Bk3guvHEA

Charles "Charlie" M. McLeish passed away on September 30, 2026.

30/09/2026

🎤 WHAT A DAY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF AUCTIONEERS!

Our first Youth Auctioneer Camp & Contest, held in conjunction with the WV FFA Fall Leadership Conference, was a huge success!

We’re grateful to West Virginia FFA for partnering with the West Virginia Auctioneers Association to give young people the opportunity to experience the auction profession firsthand.

The courage these students showed was incredible. In just five hours, they learned the fundamentals, worked on their chants, and then stepped in front of a real crowd to sell real items for real money! The growth from the beginning of the day to the contest was impressive.

🏆 Beginner Division
🥇 Champion — Morgan Cobb
🥈 Reserve Champion — Emily Huffman
🥉 Third Place — Emma Sollars

🏆 Advanced Division
🥇 Champion — Caleb Wayne
🥈 Reserve Champion — Sam Hitt
🥉 Third Place — Michael Wayne

Congratulations to every student who had the courage to step behind the microphone!

A special thank you to Justin Kennedy, who flew in from Oklahoma to lead the camp and help guide us through bringing this program to West Virginia. Thank you as well to WV FFA, our volunteer auctioneers, advisors, families, bidders, and everyone who supported these young people.

And this is just the beginning!

🎤 Next stop: The Junior Auctioneer Contest in March at Stonewall Resort, held in conjunction with the West Virginia Auctioneer Championship!

From there, the top 10 FFA students will advance to the 2027 WV FFA State Convention to compete for the title of WV FFA State Auctioneer Champion! 🏆

Camp ➡️ Junior Contest ➡️ FFA State Championship

The future of auctioneering is looking bright in West Virginia!

16/09/2026

🚨 SECOND CHANCES DON’T COME OFTEN! 🚨

We have had a good turnout and we don’t want an interested FFA student to miss this opportunity just because they didn’t get registered by the original deadline. So we just got permission to extend registration for the first-ever WV FFA Auctioneer Camp & Contest through Saturday!

🎤 No experience necessary! Students of ALL skill levels are encouraged to attend. Auctioneers from across West Virginia will be at Cedar Lakes to work one-on-one with students, help develop their auction chant, and teach the fundamentals of the auction profession before giving them an opportunity to showcase what they learned in a mock contest.

📅 September 29
📍 Cedar Lakes Conference Center
⏰ NEW REGISTRATION DEADLINE: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

💲 And remember—we have auctioneers who have offered to help cover the $75 registration fee for students who need assistance. Don’t let the cost be the reason you miss out!

Second chances don’t come often. This is yours. Grab one of the remaining spots and come give auctioneering a try!

👉 Register here:
https://ams.s3onegoal.com/online/879/tickets

FFA advisors — please share this with your students!

15/09/2026

🚨 TODAY IS THE DEADLINE! 🚨

FFA students and advisors — today, September 15, is the final day to register for the first-ever WV FFA Auctioneer Camp & Contest! 🎤

The camp will be held September 29 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center, the day before the FFA Fall Leadership Conference.

No auctioneering experience is necessary! Students of ALL skill levels are encouraged to participate. Auctioneers from across West Virginia will be there to teach students the fundamentals of auctioneering, help them develop their chant, and prepare them for a fun mock contest at the end of the camp.

💲 Need help with the $75 registration fee? We have a couple of auctioneers who have generously offered to sponsor students who need assistance. Please reach out—we don’t want cost to keep an interested student from participating!

This could be the beginning of something pretty special for a young person. Give it a try!

⏰ Registration closes TODAY — September 15!

👉 Register here: https://ams.s3onegoal.com/online/879/tickets

FFA advisors, please share and tag a student who should be there!

18/08/2026

Help Us Represent the Auction Industry! 🎤🔨

We’re looking for auctioneers and association members willing to volunteer a little time at the WVAA Booth to help us represent our profession and introduce fairgoers to the auction industry.

This is a great opportunity to:
🔨 Talk with the public about what auctioneers do
🤝 Represent your business and our profession
📣 Help promote the auction method of marketing
💬 Share your auction stories and experiences
❤️ Show West Virginia what makes our industry so special

You don’t have to spend the entire fair at the booth — even a few hours makes a difference!

The more members who participate, the more we can showcase the incredible auctioneering community we have here in West Virginia.

Want to volunteer? Let us know!
Drop a comment, send Ellie a message (304)669-5626, or reach out to WVAA Board Members.

Come represent your profession, meet some future auctioneers, promote your business and have a little fun while you’re at it! 🔨🎪



https://www.facebook.com/statefairofwv/

See you August 13 - 22, 2026: Celebrating 101 Years!

17/08/2026

🎤 FFA Students & Advisors — Don’t Miss This Opportunity!

Our WV Auctioneers Association President, Ron Wiles, sat down with Levi Knopp, WV FFA State President, and Miyah Swiger, National Officer Candidate, at the State Fair to talk about something we're incredibly excited about — the upcoming **FFA Auctioneer Camp & Contest!

This is the first-ever FFA Auctioneer Camp & Contest in West Virginia, and it's an opportunity for students to build confidence, strengthen their public speaking skills, learn about the auction industry, and maybe even discover a career they never knew existed.

Take a few minutes to watch the video and hear what they have to say!

📅 Registration deadline: September 18th

👉 Get signed up here: https://ams.s3onegoal.com/online/879/ticke

**FFA advisors — please share this with your students and encourage them to give it a shot! One opportunity can open a door they never expected.

Questions? Contact President, Ron Wiles at 304-680-7140 or Vice President, James Yoder at 304-844-3139

29/07/2026

🚨 Attention West Virginia FFA Teachers & Students!

What if one contest could change the direction of a student’s life?

Three years ago, Oklahoma FFA member Logan Snider entered the Auctioneering Career Development Event simply to try something new. She had dreams of becoming a veterinarian and had never considered a career in auctioneering.

That one opportunity changed everything.

Through the FFA Auctioneering CDE, Logan gained confidence, sharpened her communication skills, built lifelong relationships, and discovered a passion for the auction industry. Just two weeks ago, at only 16 years old, she was crowned the International Junior Auctioneer Champion.

Now it’s West Virginia’s turn.

We’re excited to announce that the very first West Virginia FFA Auctioneer Camp & Contest will be held during the WV FFA Fall Leadership Conference!

Whether you’re interested in public speaking, leadership, agriculture, entrepreneurship, or simply trying something new, this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. You never know where one moment on an auction stage might lead.

📣 FFA teachers: Encourage your students to participate.
📣 FFA students: Step outside your comfort zone and discover what’s possible.

📣 WVAA members: Share this post and spread the word to your local FFA.

Your story could be the next one we’re telling.

Register today:

https://ams.s3onegoal.com/online/879/tickets

22/07/2026

Education is one of the greatest investments an auctioneer can make. In an industry that continues to evolve at a rapid pace, staying informed and committed to learning is essential for long-term success.

At last weeks National Auction Association Conference & Show in San Antonio, Texas, WVAA members Jarrod Hines and Linford Berry shared their expertise by presenting educational sessions to auction professionals from across the country. Their willingness to give back to the industry by teaching others reflects the professionalism and leadership we are proud to see from our West Virginia members.

Thank you, Jarrod and Linford, for representing the WVAA so well and for helping move the auction industry forward through education!

🗓️Be sure to mark your calendars for the WVAA annual convention, March 4th, 5th and 6th

15/06/2026

📅 SAVE THE DATE! 📅

Mark your calendars for the 2027 West Virginia Auctioneers Association Convention!

Join us March 5-6, 2027, for two days of education, networking, industry updates, competitions, and fellowship with auction professionals from across West Virginia and beyond.

Whether you're a seasoned auctioneer, industry partner, or new to the profession, this is an event you won't want to miss.

📍 Additional details, speaker announcements, registration information, and hotel accommodations will be released in the coming months.

For now, save the date and plan to join us on March 5-6, 2027!

07/06/2026

It is with great sadness that the West Virginia Auctioneers Association shares the passing of Jim Frio, one of the most influential figures in the history of the auction profession in West Virginia.

Jim dedicated more than 40 years to the auction industry and leaves behind a legacy that few will ever match. A member of the West Virginia Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame, Jim was a two-time West Virginia Bid Calling Grand Champion, former Executive Director of the Association, longtime member of the Governor’s Auctioneer Board of Professional Review, business owner, mentor, advocate, and friend to countless auctioneers across our state.

His impact reached far beyond the auction block. Many members remember the 2004-2005 WVAA Convention in Charleston when Jim helped bring then-Governor Joe Manchin and the First Lady to spend the evening with our membership, supporting fundraising efforts for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and helping elevate the visibility of our profession throughout West Virginia.

Jim remained committed to the auction industry until the very end, continuing his service on the Governor’s Board of Review and supporting auctioneers throughout the state.

There are individuals who participate in an industry, and there are those who help shape it. Jim Frio unquestionably helped shape the auction profession in West Virginia. His leadership, dedication, and passion leave a lasting footprint that will be felt for generations.

Please keep Jim’s family, friends, business partners, and all who knew him in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Rest easy, Jim. Thank you for everything you gave to the auction profession and to the people of West Virginia.

“A great auctioneer knows how to sell an item. A legendary auctioneer inspires people. Jim Frio did both.”

🕊️ 1950 – 2026

For more information on Jim’s passing: https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2026/06/pioneering-auctioneer-jim-frio-dies-at-age-75/