By William Flood

Ohio Correspondent

Clayton, Ind. – Auctioneer Richard ‘TJ’ Freije has won the title of 2024 World Automobile Auctioneer Champion (WAAC). This latest championship is the most recent in the career of one of the leading auctioneers of his generation.

The National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) conducts the World Automobile Auctioneer’s Championship annually, held at auction facilities around the country. It features the top auctioneers, ringmen, and teams working in the auction business, and highlights the best practices of the auction industry.

Freije is president of Freije & Freije Auctioneers, a four-generation auction company based in Clayton near Indianapolis. Freije won the championship April 26 in a field of over 75 top competitors. In previous years, Freije was named the 2016 International Auctioneer Champion, 2013 World Automobile Team Championship, and Indiana Auctioneer Champion.

The event was also a family celebration, as Freije’s son Tyce Freije, along with his ringman partner Taylor Knotts (also a member of the Freije & Freije team), placed third in the auctioneering contest. Tyce Freije represents the fourth generation of the Freije family to work in the auction profession.

The Freijes have built the family’s personal property and real estate auction business into a nationally recognized firm for classic car auctions. They are now a partner with Jeff Martin Auctioneers, Inc., North America’s fastest-growing live auction company. In addition to their work with classic cars, Freije and Martin are also both well-known for auctioning heavy equipment.

A man of faith and family, Freije said, “All the glory goes to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope to use this championship to be a witness for Him and to help promote the live auction method.” He added, “Growing up in football and coaching, my nickname was the Fridge. Our family and company talk a lot about #TeamFridge and what it means to be committed to family and our team. While this championship has been a major career goal, it pales in comparison to the goal of building a loving family at home and a dedicated team in our business.”

The 2024 WAAC contest was the second conducted under the umbrella of the NAAA. The organization, founded in 1948, is a private, non-profit guided by a mission to protect and promote the interests of the wholesale auction industry. It currently consists of nearly 350 members who work to improve industry standards, customer service, and leadership within the industry. The WAAC competition reflects those aims. In a press release, NAAA officials stated, “We are proud to honor and celebrate those who have made a positive impact by their hard work, devotion, and service.”

For information on Freije & Freije, including their upcoming auctions, visit www.freijeauctioneers.com. For additional information on the NAAA, visit: www.naaa.com.