Ronald Farrell, of Mechanicsville, Maryland, took home the title of 2011 Maryland State Bid Calling Champion at the Auctioneers Association of Maryland Bid Calling Contest held on October 17, 2010, in Boonsboro, Maryland. Taking second was John Roop of Walkersville, Maryland, and Dana Dudley of Middletown, Maryland, taking the third place award.
 
Contestants were judged by a panel of four out-of-state judges on criteria that included opening statements, bid calling, salesmanship and professionalism. Each contestant sold three items in the first round with the finalists selling one additional item in the final round of competition.  Farrell will now have the opportunity to compete at the National Auctioneer’s Association International Auctioneer Championship to be held in Orlando, Florida in July of 2011. 
 
“It is an honor to win such a coveted title. There are so many great auctioneers in this State and I fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with many of them over the past few years. I look forward to continuing to improve my auction skills and to learn more from every auction I work”, stated Farrell.  
 
Farrell is a graduate of Mendenhall School of Auctioneering, High Point, North Carolina and a graduate of the Professional Ringmen’s Institute, Springfield, Missouri. In addition, Mr. Farrell holds the National Auctioneers Association’s Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS) designation. He has worked for several well-established auction firms including Cochran Auctioneers and Associates, Boonsboro, MD; Chesapeake Auction House, St. Leonard, MD; Gregory’s Auctions (Associated Auctioneers & Appraisers, Inc.), West Friendship, MD; A.J.’s Auction Service, Leonardtown, MD; and Wolfe Auctions, Frederick, MD; and serves as part-time auctioneer for the Loveville Produce Auction, Loveville, MD. Mr. Farrell also conducts several fund-raising/benefit auctions for numerous organizations in the area. Recently, in partnership with the Russell Brothers’ Farm, LLC, Morganza, MD, they have established an annual “Southern Maryland Farm and Country Christmas Auction” the first of which was held this past year with plans already underway for next year’s event in December.