Meet The Team

With 100+ years of auction and real estate experience, the Merit Auctions team is ready to help you gain full exposure to the market and achieve maximum return on your assets! We specialize in Live Auctions, Timed Online-Only Auctions and Virtual Online Auctions. With current offices in Iowa and Indiana and the ability to travel nationwide, we offer on site support for setup, cleaning, picturing, loading out & more. We will truly handle all aspects of your auction from start to finish! Contact one of our representatives today for more details!

Interested in joining our team? Contact us today!

Auctioneer & RE Broker

Jim Huff

Jim has nearly 40 years in the auction and real estate industry. His main focus has been in ag real estate & ag equipment auctions which he has conducted from the Eastern Shores of Maryland to California and everywhere in between.

Jim has nearly 40 years in the auction and real estate industry. His main focus has been in ag real estate & ag equipment auctions which he has conducted from the Eastern Shores of Maryland to California and everywhere in between. He is a licensed Real Estate broker in 3 states and a licensed Auctioneer in 7 states. Jim has been very active in the Iowa Auctioneers Association where he is a past president and a member of the Associations Hall of Fame. When not working an auction Jim enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and spending time with friends and family. Jim and his wife Tammie have 3 adult daughters and reside in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
Auctioneer & RE Broker

Zach Hiner

Zach was born and raised on a small row crop farm in Northeast Indiana in which he is still involved today. Zach has been actively involved in the auction and real estate business for almost 20 years.

Zach was born and raised on a small row crop farm in Northeast Indiana in which he is still involved today. Zach has been actively involved in the auction and real estate business for almost 20 years. He has been a part of some of the largest real estate auctions throughout the country and has managed some of the largest farm equipment auctions throughout the United States including both dealer auctions and farm retirement auctions. Early on in Zach’s career, he worked for one of the largest real estate auction firms in the nation. Later, Zach worked for Sullivan Auctioneers, pushing their business east and successfully giving them a presence in his home-state of Indiana. More recently, he has concentrated on Midwest farm retirement sales and dealer auctions, yet still traveling when needed from the years of contacts and referrals in the business. Zach and his wife Gina have four children and reside on their 80-acre farm in Urbana, IN. In their free time they enjoy their small cattle operation, 4-H projects and consider it a great blessing and privilege to raise their kids in a faith-filled family and farm community. Gina and the kids have had the opportunity to travel with Zach to the Custom Harvester’s Convention where he has actively been involved and consequently, has managed most of the custom harvester auctions in the past several years, including Southfork Harvesters, S&L Harvesters, and many others. Prosperity in this business boils down to service and relationships. It has been Zach's wealth of knowledge in the auction business and his contacts throughout the country that continue to drive his success.
Auctioneer & RE Broker

John Probasco

John and his wife Brenda reside on a hay and row crop farm near Moulton, IA. They also maintain a cow/calf operation.

John and his wife Brenda reside on a hay and row crop farm near Moulton, IA. They also maintain a cow/calf operation. John brings over 20 years of real estate and auction experience, obtaining his real estate license in 2001 & his Illinois Auctioneers License in 2010.
John specializes in AG land and farm equipment auctions that has spanned from the Central Valley of California to the Eastern Shore of Maryland. In his spare time John enjoys spending time with his three children and their families.
RE Salesperson & Auction Coordinator

Joey Croy

Joey brings 13 years of auction experience to Merit Auctions.

Joey brings 13 years of auction experience to Merit Auctions. Joey resides in rural Hancock County, Illinois, maintains a small cow/calf and row crop operation. Joey graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Ag Science.
He and his wife, Jessica, have three young children and in his spare time he enjoys spending time with family and friends and engaging in outdoor activities.
Auctioneer & IL RE Broker

Dale Jones

Dale Jones has been actively involved in the auction business since 1982. He graduated from World Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa.

Dale Jones has been actively involved in the auction business since 1982. He graduated from World Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa. Dale also attended Illinois State University where he majored in Agriculture with an emphasis in Ag Business and Animal Science. Dale grew up on a grain and livestock farm near Aledo, Illinois and still lives in the area today. He and his wife, Amy, have 3 grown children and 9 grandchildren. Dale holds both an Illinois Auctioneers license and Real Estate Broker license, as well as auction licenses in Indiana and Tennessee. When not working, Dale and Amy enjoy spending time with their family, caring for their small farm and boating at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Auctioneer & RE Salesperson

Russell Lamp

Russell has 15 years in the auction and real estate industry. He attended World Wide College of Auctioneering and has won several auction competitions.

Russell has 15 years in the auction and real estate industry. He attended World Wide College of Auctioneering and has won several auction competitions. Prior to his auction and real estate career, Russell worked in a family agricultural business for 20 years which together has developed strong ties throughout the Midwest. Along with his wife, Heather and daughters Lydia and Emma Rae, they farm a row crop operation and a cow/calf herd. In his free time he enjoys many family activities including snowmobiling trips, conducting benefit auctions with Lydia, a traction steam engine hobby with Emma Rae, and traveling with Heather. Russell is a practicing auctioneer and licensed to sell real estate in the state of Iowa, and brings over 10 years experience working with nationwide companies. He prides himself with making personal connections with his clients and promoting the auction method of selling.
RE Salesperson & Auction Coordinator

Rachel Freidhof

Rachel hails from strong agricultural roots, having been born and raised on a multi-generational dairy farm with her family, later transitioning the operation to a successful niche farm to market American Bison operation.

Rachel hails from strong agricultural roots, having been born and raised on a multi-generational dairy farm with her family, later transitioning the operation to a successful niche farm to market American Bison operation. She first became involved in the auction business in high school, helping a local auctioneer with all facets of the business, from pre-sale prep to after sale clerking duties. Upon graduation from UW-Platteville, she worked in the automotive industry before transitioning into consumer sales for a large John Deere Dealership. Rachel, along with her husband, Ben, reside on a small farm in New Hampton, Iowa with their three children where they raise livestock, hay, a large garden, and work hard to instill a strong work ethic and moral responsibility into the next generation. As a family, they enjoy working together, traveling, and making lasting memories.
RE Salesperson & Auction Coordinator

Kaycee McGregor

Kaycee works as an Auction Coordinator and has been in the auction business for 3 years.

Kaycee works as an Auction Coordinator and has been in the auction business for 3 years. Originally from Fort Madison, IA, Kaycee graduated from Southeastern Community College with a degree in General Agriculture and holds her Iowa Real Estate License. Kaycee enjoys getting out and being involved in the auction process from start to finish.
She currently lives in Stockport, IA with her significant other Jarrett and their two dogs, Bailey and Winston.
When not at work you can often find Kaycee fishing on the Mississippi River, traveling with her friends, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes or spending time with family.
RE Broker & Auction Coordinator

Connor West

Connor has been involved with and helped coordinate some of the largest equipment sales throughout the country.

Connor has been involved with and helped coordinate some of the largest equipment sales throughout the country. Most recently, Conner received his Indiana RE Broker’s license and is excited to focus on agriculture and recreation properties. Connor grew up in Huntington, Indiana and helped his family feed and raise bottle calves. His family also ran a small butcher business. Connor graduated from Huntington University in 2019. He and his wife Mikayla, along with their son Carson, reside in Huntington. In his free time, Connor likes to hunt and spend time with family and friends.
RE Salesperson & Auction Coordinator

Russ Beckham

Russ Beckham was raised in Thomas County, Georgia where he still resides. After graduating from Thomas County Central High School in 1988, he earned his bachelor’s degree in public relations from Valdosta State University.

Russ Beckham was raised in Thomas County, Georgia where he still resides. After graduating from Thomas County Central High School in 1988, he earned his bachelor’s degree in public relations from Valdosta State University. Following college, he spent 5 years in Central FL managing accounts in the nursery business. Moving back to Thomas County in 1999, he began a career in the produce seed industry, building relationships with industry colleagues and farmers nationwide. His entire life has been spent in and around agriculture. Russ is the current president of Georgia Seed Association, serves on the Thomasville City school board, and is a past member of the YMCA board of directors as well as the Thomasville recreation board and the Georgia seed arbitration board. Most recently, he earned his Georgia Real Estate and auctioneering licenses.

Russ has 3 sons - Braxton, Mason & Parker. In his spare time, he enjoys time with his boys, hunting, fishing, high school sports and University of Georgia football. He attends the Hub church.

Graphic Designer

Stacy Peak

Stacy brings over 30 years experience in graphic design and has been part of a nationwide auction company for the past 17 years.

Stacy brings over 30 years experience in graphic design and has been part of a nationwide auction company for the past 17 years. She specializes in all aspects of marketing for land & farm equipment auctions.

Stacy lives in Quincy, IL with her husband Brian and between them they have three daughters and nine grandchildren. In her spare time, Stacy enjoys traveling with her husband and attending grandkids events.

Office Manager

Sheila Garcia

Sheila was born and raised on a small row crop farm in Southeast Iowa which also included raising cattle and pigs.

Sheila was born and raised on a small row crop farm in Southeast Iowa which also included raising cattle and pigs. She was active in 4H and enjoyed spending time on her grandparents’ farms. Sheila has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Iowa Wesleyan University and an associate degree in accounting. She brings with her over 15 years of experience in equipment manufacturing of Case and John Deere parts as well as over 15 years of experience in legal, healthcare, and non-profit industries. Sheila and her husband Danny live in Fort Madison and love spending time with their families, especially their three grandbabies. In their spare time they enjoy traveling the world to experience new cultures.
Graphic Designer

Holly Spees

Holly has been in the graphic design field for over two years. She graduated from Indian Hills Community College with a degree in Interactive Media Technology.

Holly has been in the graphic design field for over two years. She graduated from Indian Hills Community College with a degree in Interactive Media Technology. While being passionate about design, Holly is also inspired by photography and content creation. She enjoys learning new things about the auction process and being a part of a team.

Holly currently lives in Birmingham, IA with her two dogs, Maci and Bailey. She likes to spend her free time fishing, camping, going to county fairs, attending concerts, and spending time with her family.