The owner of the company, Rick Williams, has been in the auction business since 1978. He began his career learning from the late Charlie Hunter of the Hunter-Chambers Realty and Auction Company. Charlie guided Rick while he learned the chant and the business. He taught Rick the importance of respect and honesty. Charlie lived by the motto “treat people the way you want to be treated.”

Rick is the son of Naomi and the late Neil Williams and grew up in the Marshall area. He graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1973, and attended the Ohio University-Chillicothe branch and Southern State Community College. In 1979 he married Connie and they have 2 children, Brad and Lauren.

Community involvement is a big part of the Williams family life. Rick serves as a Co-chairman of the Festival of the Bells and also is in charge of the entertainment for the event. He has booked many famous and successful artists, such as Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Joe Diffee, Chris Cagle, Brad Martin, Joe Nichols, Trick Pony, Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, Josh Gracin, Darryl Worley, Little Big Town, Taylor Swift, Emerson Drive, and Neal McCoy. Rick is also an active member of the Hillsboro Rotary Club and received the coveted Paul Harris award in 1999.

The Hillsboro FFA recognized Rick and Connie for their involvement in the annual Consignment Auction by naming them as Honorary Chapter Farmers in 1999. This consignment auction has aided many FFA members in their college endeavors as well as assisting with students with projects, conventions, and leadership sessions.

Brad Williams is the son of Rick and Connie. He began his auctioneer career as soon as he learned to count. Many hours were spent with his toy tractors lined up in front of the fireplace, selling tractors to anyone present. In 2002 Brad graduated from Repperts School of Auctioneering.

Brad also graduated from Hillsboro High School in 2001. During high school he was an active member of the FFA Chapter, serving on many committees and as treasurer his senior year. As a member of the Chapter he received his Chapter, State, and American FFA degrees. In 2005 he received the Honorary Chapter Farmer degree from the Hillsboro FFA for his support of the Chapter and his efforts with the annual FFA Alumni Consignment Auction, which his started during his freshman year in high school.

After high school Brad attended Southern State Community College and OSU-ATI in Wooster, earning an Associates Degree in 2005.

He currently operates a grain/cattle farm, auctioneers, and has his own snow removal business.

Mike Ames has been auctioneering with the company since the beginning of the business. In 1994 Mike obtained his real estate license and began auctioneering after attending the Missouri Auction School. Mike is a 1992 graduate of Hillsboro High School and attended The Ohio State University. He is the son of Gary and Vickie Ames and was raised in the Hillsboro area. Mike and wife, Becky, have 3 adorable daughters, Katie, Ann, and Claire. They operate a cattle farm, plus have some other interesting livestock for the girls—a horse, llama and whatever Mike decides to bring home. While in high school Mike was active with the FFA Chapter. He kept busy with the family’s hog operation and showed pigs at the county and state fairs.

Mike also works at car auctions in Ohio and West Virginia.

Chip Yochum joined the company in 1999. His auction career began after graduating from Missouri Auction School. He is the son of Fred (also our clerk) and Barb Yochum, growing up in the Mowrystown area. He graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1996 and attended The Ohio State University. His high school years were kept busy with FFA activities and showing cattle. As a member of the FFA, Chip received his Chapter, State and American degrees. Chip and his wife Shannon are proud parents of a new daughter, Emma Gail. They keep busy with the loveable new baby and raising show cattle. Chip also works at car auctions in Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky.
Fred Yochum is the clerk of the operation. He joined the company in and 2002. Fred is the head of the Math Department at Hillsboro High School where he teaches Algebra and Advanced Math. He is a graduate of Whiteoak High School, Ohio University and Miami University. Fred and wife, Barb, are the proud parents of three children, Marcy, Chip, and Abby; and grandparents of two beautiful grandchildren, Carter and Emma. In 1996 Fred and Barb were chosen as Honorary Chapter Farmers by the Hillsboro FFA Chapter. Fred spent a great deal of time with Branden of Fortress Technologies, to develop the “Auction Tracker” program from the clerk’s point of view. He also is very innovative in creating just the right tools (stands and carts) to make his job easier.
Lauren Williams is the daughter of Rick and Connie Williams. She works in the auction trailer as a cashier. Lauren is a student at Shawnee State University majoring in Business Administration-Health Management. When not working for the auction company or at school she works part-time at the Davis Law office in Hillsboro. Lauren is a 2006 graduate of Hillsboro High School. While in high school she was quite active in sports and FFA. She served two years as the Chapter Reporter receiving gold and silver pins at the state level for her work. Lauren has received her Chapter and State degrees, and will receive her American degree this fall. 4-H was also an important part of Lauren’s life for many years. She exhibited swine at the county and state fairs and also served on the Highland County Junior Fairboard for many years. She held many leadership positions, including serving as President of the Junior Fairboard and Family Consumer Sciences Board.
Connie Williams is the wife of Rick, and mother of Brad and Lauren. She tries to keep everything in order with the business! Connie is the daughter of Bill and Frances Baldwin, both who have been big supporters of the business. She graduated from Fairfield High School, Wilmington College, and Wright State University. Teaching is Connie’s full-time career, where she has kept busy teaching kindergarten, 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, and now 4 th grade reading. One of the highlights of her career was being able to teach in the new Hillsboro Elementary building and helping develop the Literacy Program at the school, which won a Best Practices Award in 2001.

Cory Myers is the youngest employee of the business. Cory began working for us when he was 9 years old. He was intrigued with the auction business and started out as a “sheet runner”. Cory was a little worried when the company went computerized because a sheet runner was not needed. But, he continues to help, now being old enough to help set-up auctions and work in the ring. Who knows, he may be the next auctioneer in the auction block?

Cory is a student at Hillsboro High School where he is active in the FFA Chapter. He recently began driving, so beware of a white Chevy. Cory raises swine projects and exhibits at the county and state fairs.
Branden Jackman, owner of Fortress Technologies, helps with the auction crew, serving as a clerk and cashier. He also developed the “Auction Tracker” program for the company. Branden has created many software programs for businesses and public offices. He is the father of a beautiful daughter, Ashlen. Branden is a member of the Hillsboro Rotary Club and was also selected by the Hillsboro FFA Chapter as an Honorary Chapter Farmer in 2007. He assists with the FFA Alumni Consignment Auction and helped the Chapter establish their website.