Nick Fowler appointed to auctioneer licensing board

Gov. Asa Hutchinson named local auctioneer Nick Fowler to a four-year term on the Arkansas State Auctioneer License Board. The board tests and recommends yes or no to the board on new auctioneers receiving a license to legally practice this ancient trade and deal with complaints. Enlisting an auctioneer to sell something you own goes back hundreds of years, whether it was an ox cart, farm or new pickup truck. It could be at the place of business of the auctioneer or at a business or farm. Wherever the auctioneer can set up his or her stage, there can be an auction.

It takes a lot of hard work to get ready for a large auction. There are advertisements to make and get distributed several weeks in advance of the actual sale. There is setting up the actual place of the auction, making sure what is advertised is ready to be sold, and making sure everyone knows in advance the date, time and financial terms of the auction sale.

Nick Fowler, his wife Rachel, son Drew, and daughter Bailey, are all integral parts of the business. Rachel and Bailey Fowler are auction marketing assistants to Nick Fowler and he keeps them hopping. They assist him and making sure the pre-auction goes smoothly. Drew, Bailey, Rachel and Nick Fowler and Jesse Ashcraft, set up almost all auctions and perform all duties associated with the actual auction, along with Larry Barnes, Keith Brey and Jay Campbell, on auction day. "To assure superior service to the seller, Nick plans the layout for all auctions, performs the actual hands on design of all newspaper ads, brochures, as well as piloting the company's high-tech drone for aerial 4K videos and photos of the clients property," states the release. Rachel Fowler is continually gathering information from county data for upcoming auctions and listings.

Nick Fowler stated that he was notified late in May of his selection to the Auctioneer Licensing Board. His term will be from 2016 to 2020. He attended the June 8 testing in Little Rock and helped judge 16 new auctioneer candidates vying for a state-approved license. Nick Fowler said the testing is composed of a written exam, and then performing the eight basic items each auctioneer must complete in the oral exam -- from welcoming the buyers to the auction to accurately selling the items to thanking everyone for attending. These tests are given four times a year, with the next one set for September. "The goal of myself and all the board members is to help new people into the industry and abide by the strict code of ethics," stated Nick Fowler.

Many auctioneers asked for the position on the licensing board, and Nick Fowler was selected to replace Kenny McGrew. Being on a statewide board is not unusual for Nick Fowler. From 2011 through 2013, he was on the Arkansas Auctioneer Association Board of Directors.

Nick Fowler has been in this industry since 1979, graduating from the auctioneering school in Fort Smith. Plaques, certificates, State Auctioneer Championship, World Auctioneer Championship, multiple real estate sales awards, marketing and other awards fill the walls, shelves and tables throughout his custom office. Auctioneering and real estate awards are prevalent, as well as many pictures of his family. It reveals his dedication to his family, the family-run auction business, as well as his sellers and buyers. Fowler stated his hat is off to McGrew for his services and added he would help any auctioneer, young or old, that he could, and will serve the license board to the best of his ability.

Business on 07/18/2016

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