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After a successful Marine Corps career, Rick pursued his lifelong dream to be an auctioneer. The day after his retirement ceremony in January of 2011, he was at Auctioneer School in St. Louis. Since graduating from his first auctioneer school, he began working with several local auctioneers and began learning the business. In March of 2011, Rick began working property auctions for both Marty Read Auction Service and Wendt Auction Services. He has also worked with Webb & Associates Auctioneers & Appraisers, working numerous real estate and benefit auctions.
Rick has a passion for the business and really enjoys auctioneering. It is a real blessing to be able to work at something which you have always wanted to do and to be able to put your heart and soul into a business. In pursuit of his dream, Rick has worked with a vocal coach and continued to get more training and attend as many educational programs as he can. He attended the NAA Benefit Auction Seminar in Denver in September 2012 and participated in an exclusive program at the World Wide College of Auctioneering in November 2012.
Rick is a active member of the National, Kansas, and Missouri Auctioneers Associations and regularly attends their annual meetings. He has been a board member on the Kansas Auctioneers Association.
Rick also holds a Kansas and Missouri Real Estate License. He is the owner and broker of Bravo Realty.
Rick retired from the United States Marine Corps obtaining the highest enlisted rank as Sergeant Major. Rick served our country on combat tours during the Gulf War, Haiti, and multiple tours in Iraq. He has received numerous awards and medals, including the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit. He served as a Drill Instructor for 2 years and returned to the Drill Field as a Company First Sergeant. He also served on Embassy Duty in Bridgetown, Barbados; Kinshasa, Zaire and Braziville, Peoples Republic of the Congo.
Rick has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resource Management and a Masters Degree in General Management from the American Military University.
Since returning to Linn County in 2008, Rick has been involved with many local events and projects. He has been the keynote speaker for Veterans Day and Memorial Day events. He was the Grand Marshall of the Swanfest Parade in 2011. He coordinated the first ever Swanfest River/Mud 5K in 2012 and the Swanfest Director for 2013 and 2014. He has coached children's basketball and been a member of school board sub committees. He is also a current member of the Louisburg Rotary. He is participating in Project 17 which is being administered by the state of Kansas to encourage business growth.
Rick served as the County Commissioner for District 1 in Linn County, Kansas from 2014-2022.
Rick is married to Allyson James and has 4 children. They reside on their small farm near LaCygne, Kansas.
