About Us

Lynne Zink, International Auctioneer Champion — International Auctioneer Champion

Lynne Zink

Professional Auctioneer, Consultant, Speaker, Voice Over Artist

Lynne Zink is an International Auctioneer Champion specializing in Benefit Auctions, Real Estate and Personal Property. She is also a Consultant, Educator, Speaker & Voice Over Artist. Her high-energy delivery motivates and engages audiences of all sizes: public auctions, non-profits, schools, individuals, organizations, radio. Consistent client testimonials state that Lynne’s energetic style and enthusiasm are contagious and her personal connection to engage each audience makes the difference.

Click here to see Lynne’s background of experience and honors.

Anna Kraus, Professional Bid Assistant

Anna has been actively involved in the auction profession for over ten years. Experienced and committed, her welcoming approach as bid assistant
engages guests, encourages bidding and generates excitement.

Anna is the 2010 Scholarship Recipient awarded by the Auctioneers
Association of Maryland Support Group for her academic achievements.
She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree and works at
the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Anna is very passionate about non-profits, having served in management and training positions for several fundraising and community events.

Lia Kvatum, Professional Auctioneer & Bid Assistant

Lia Kvatum has been an auctioneer since 2005. A background in fundraising for non-profits and improvisational theater made Benefit Auctioneering a natural fit for her and today, she loves bringing prople together to raise money for a great cause! She earned the honor of 2013 Maryland Bid Calling Champion and has served as Newsletter Editor for the Auctioneers Association of Maryland.

In addition to auctioneering, Lia has produced videos for entities such as the National Geographic Society, The Smithsonian Institution, PBS, and the Department of Justice. She is also an award winning, prolific writer who most recently authored a children’s book for the National Geographic Society.

She grew up on a farm in Western Minnesota, graduated from Saint Olaf College in North field, MN, and today lives in Washington, DC with her husband and daughter.

Roxane Casto, Professional Auctioneer & Bid Assistant

Roxane Casto has been working in the auction industry for 20+ years. She attended Mendenhall School of Auctioneering in 1997. Through the years she has sold everything from box lots to fire trucks and fundraising auctions are her strongest passion. She is a member of the Auctioneers Association of Maryland (AAM) and served on the AAM Board of Directors from 2010-2012. She is the 2008 Maryland Bid Calling Champion, 2005 Auctioneer of the Year for her outstanding contributions to the auction profession and served as the AAM Newsletter Editor in 2005. Her compassion for people and her love of the auction industry is what makes her a perfect fit for Benefit Auctions. She has worked as a professional bid assistant and auctioneer for both non-profits and private schools for over 10 years. She has been taking improvisation classes and performing since January 2018. Roxane lives in Glen Burnie, MD with her husband. She has 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

Courtney Chamberlain, Tech Support & Professional Bid Assistant

Courtney serves as an IT Technical Support specialist, manages the professional BOSE sound system for events and works as a Professional Bid Assistant at non-profit and private school events with Lynne Zink Productions. He also works as a Network Administrator for a private school in Baltimore. In his free time, Courtney enjoys metal detecting and improvisational theater, where he has been taking classes and performing since January, 2018.

Brian Warfield, Professional Auctioneer & Bid Assistant

Brian Warfield graduated from Missouri Auction School in 1992. He specializes in Benefit Auctions and works as a contract auctioneer selling building supplies, farm equipment and personal property. He also works as a professional bid assistant and auctioneer for both non-profits and private schools. He is a member of the Auctioneers Association of Maryland and has been a finalist in the Maryland Bid Calling Championship. Brian and his wife Onna reside in Carroll County, Maryland.

Clarke Peacock, CAI, Professional Auctioneer & Bid Assistant

Clarke attended Mendenhall School of Auctioneering in 2010. Prior to that, Clarke owned and operated a successful catering and event planning company in the Washington, DC Metro Area for 15 years. Since attending Mendenhall, Clarke has attended the Benefit Auction Specialist class, as well as, other specialized classes sponsored by the National Auctioneers Association. He also attended the coveted three year journey through the Certified Auctioneers Institute held at Indiana University. Clarke works as a professional auctioneer and ringman full time. He lives in La Plata, MD with his wife and son. He is active in Boy Scouts and 4H as a volunteer and instructor. He is also active in his community and his church.

Derek Hopkins, Professional Auctioneer and Bid Assistant

Derek Hopkins was introduced to the auction business as a young boy, when he attended 4-H and local livestock sales with his grandfather. As a member of 4-H he showed pigs and cattle, and he helped with bid spotting. He continued throughout his high school years, gaining experience in the many different aspects of auctions. He attended Missouri Auction School in 1998 and since that time, has worked as a contract auctioneer and ringman. Hopkins earned the title of Maryland State Bid Calling Champion in 2002. Derek, his wife and two children reside in Harford County, Maryland and are very active with 4-H.

Zach Shelley, Professional Auctioneer and Bid Assistant

Zach Shelley is a full-time professional auctioneer. He graduated Harrisburg Area Community College Auction program with honors in 2007. Zach conducts 4-5 auctions per week and brings experience to any auction. He loves fundraising and benefit auctions. Zach believes in working hard to obtain top dollar for all clients and organizations. The auction method of marketing is meant to be fun and exciting, while delivering dollars to help clients.

Zach is the 2009 Maryland State Bid Calling Champion and National Auctioneers Association International Auctioneer Championship Finalist. He loves animals and lives on his farm in Harford County, MD with wife Chelsey.

Lynne Zink, International Auctioneer Champion

Lynne’s Background of Experience and Honors

Education/Certifications

September 2021 NAA’s Benefit Auction Summit in San Antonio, TX
September 2020 NAA’s Benefit Auction Summit – Virtual
January 2018 – February 2020 Improvisation Classes & Performances at the BIG Theater, Baltimore Improv Group
December 2017 Real Estate Workshop with NAA in Las Vegas, NV
December 2017 Kathy Kingston’s Master Class Fund-A-Need Workshop Scottsdale, AZ
April – July 2017 Voice Coaches training, Demo Development & Marketing
September 2016 NAA’s Benefit Auction Summit in San Diego, CA
September 2014 NAA’s Benefit Auction Summit in Nashville, TN
September 2013 NAA’s Benefit Auction Summit in Chicago, IL
August 2012 Kathy Kingston’s “Benefit Auction Consulting” workshop in Chicago, IL
September 2011 NAA’s Benefit Auction Summit in Baltimore, MD
December 2010 Kathy Kingston’s “Beyond Bid Calling” workshop in Dallas, TX
September 2010 NAA’s Benefit Auction Summit in San Antonio, TX
July 2010 Benefit Auctioneer Specialist class in Greensboro, NC – BAS Designation
2009 Expert Witness in the Courts
2008 Certified Appraisers Guild of America – GAGA Designation
2007 Certified Estate Specialist – CES Designation
2004-2006 Certified Auctioneers Institute – NAA at Indiana University – CAI Designation
2001 Graduate from Mendenhall School of Auctioneering
1996 Towson State University: B.S. Degree in English/Secondary Educ., Minor in Theatre

Honors

2013 Awarded Auctioneer of the Year by the Auctioneers Association of Maryland for outstanding contributions to the auction profession.
2012 International Auctioneer Champion and Ambassador for the NAA
2011 Toastmasters International Speech Contestant at Club, Area, and Division Levels
2010 Best Speaker Awards & Enthusiasm Award from Towson Toastmasters
2007 1st Place in the NAA Marketing Competition for the AAM Website.
2006 Awarded Auctioneer of the Year by the Auctioneers Association of Maryland
2005 Maryland State Bid Calling Champion.
2003 Awarded Outstanding Alternative Educator by the Baltimore County Pubic Schools Department of Alternative Education.

ASSOCIATIONS

Auctioneers Association of Maryland (AAM) since 2001

2016: On-Line Fundraising Auction Chair
2014 – 2015: Immediate Past President
2012 – 2013: President
2010 – 2011: President-Elect
2010 – 2011: Professional Development Chair
2007 – 2009: Board of Directors then Vice President
2004 – 2010: Website Administrator
2003 – 2008: Newsletter Editor
2004 – 2006: Bid Calling Contest Committee
2001 – 2003: Newsletter Reporter

National Auctioneers Association (NAA) since 2001

2019 – Present: Board of Trustees for the Education Institute
2021 – Vice Chair Benefit Auction Summit, San Antonio, TX
2021 – Chair for the Conference & Show Education Committee, Minneapolis, MN
2020 – Vice Chair Benefit Auction Summit – Virtual
2017 – 2021: Ambassador representing the state of Maryland
2015-2017: Co-Chair for the NAA Pass if Forward Campaign
2014 – Co-Chair Benefit Auction Summit, Nashville, TN
2012 – 2013 IAC Championship and Education Task Force Committees
2012 – 2013: NAA Ambassador and Speaker’s Bureau
Since 2009: Instructor at the Annual Conference
2011 – Benefit Auction Summit Committee
2009 – 2010: Allied Partners Committee
2006 – 2008: Conference & Show Education Committee
2006 – CAI 30th Anniversary Gala Committee

Toastmasters International since 2009

Towson Toastmasters Club
- Served as Sgt. At Arms, Website Admin and VP of Public Relations
- Served as a Mentor for Tiger Toastmasters at Towson University
- Earned Competent Communicator (CC) and Competent Leader (CL)

Member

Harford County Chamber of Commerce
BON, Business Opportunity Network
BRN, Business Resource Network
CPWN, Chesapeake Professional Women’s Network
Route 40 Business Association

Lynne Zink, 410-852-6925