/ meet the speakers
Jason Deel, CAI, GPPA, CES
Owner, Nashville Auction School
Originally from Haysi, VA, Jason Deel is the founder of JD’s Realty & Auction of Clinton, TN and the Co-Owner of The Nashville Auction School He grew up collecting as a child and continued his collection while serving 20 years in the U.S. Army. As a young man, Jason was destined to serve in the U.S. Army as a leader and officer. Jason served in six combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan in the Army as an Infantry Officer. Jason earned his M.B.A. from the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology from Webster University while attending Command & General Staff College. Jason conducts approximately 400 auctions a year of both real estate and personal property. Jason has continued to further his education by attending the National Auction designation for Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate, the Auction Marketing Management, Graduate Personal Property Appraiser Course and the covenant Certified Auctioneers Institute course.
Bryce Irlbeck
Co-Founder, Boa Safra Ag, LLC
Bryce Irlbeck is CO-Founder of Boasafra Ag LLC. As well as an Iowa State University graduate, Organic & Regenerative Producer, and multiple other Entrepreneurial ventures. During his time at Iowa State University, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture business. Bryce also spent four months in the Brazilian city of Minas Gerias, attending Universidad de Vicosa, learning Portuguese and consulting on a large agriculture production farm in the Southern region of RioGrande De Sul. Bryce also spent five months consulting for Kilombero Plantations Ltd, a commercial investment production farm consisting of 12,000 acres of rice production in south central
Tanzania, Africa. This experience consisted of learning the day-to-day operations, process and systems to create production efficiency, also how to effectively interact and teach local talent.
Jeff Kaplan
CTO & Co-Founder, Listernaut
Jeff Kaplan is the co-founder and CTO of Listernaut, an AI-powered platform transforming how auctioneers and resellers catalog and manage inventory. With a background in reverse logistics, automation, and marketplace strategy, Jeff has helped power over 1 million listings across platforms like HiBid, eBay, Amazon, and many other auction platforms.
A lifelong builder of disruptive business models, Jeff has led teams across warehouse operations, e-commerce and software development—all focused on practical innovation. Recently, walking through Grand Park Sports Park reminded Jeff of the clarity that comes when vision meets persistence — a reflection on the power of perseverance and the importance of building solutions ahead of the curve. The evolution of Listernaut reinforced Jeff’s mission to create tools that empower sellers, not overwhelm them.
Today, Jeff travels the country alongside CEO Bert Leffel to train auctioneers, mentor cataloging teams, and introduce AI-powered tools that make listing smarter, faster, and more sustainable for the resale economy.
Bert Leffel
CEO & Co-Founder, Listernaut
Bert Leffel is the CEO and Co-Founder of Listernaut, an AI-driven cataloging platform transforming how auctioneers, resellers, and warehouses list products at scale. A creative leader with a background in design and decades of resale experience, Bert built Listernaut to eliminate the bottlenecks of manual cataloging.
Under his leadership, Listernaut has powered over 1 million listings, helping sellers go from hours to minutes per product using barcode scanning and AI recognition. Bert speaks on topics like automation in resale, the future of returns logistics, and how small teams can scale big with the right tools.
When he’s not leading software innovation, Bert is on the road training sellers nationwide—proving firsthand that anyone can list smarter with AI.
Shane McCarrell, CES
Owner, Nashville Auction School
After over 12 years of active-duty military service in the United States Marines and Army, Shane and his family call Tennessee home. Shane is a graduate of Nashville Auction School and is currently the past president of the Tennessee Auctioneers Association after serving as a director from 2018-2021. Over the last 11 years, Shane has traveled the country working with, consulting, and educating some of the most successful auctioneers in the industry. Shane is an active member of the National Auctioneers Association, serving as Tennessee State Membership Ambassador, Promotions Committee Member, and a Certified Estate Specialist approved instructor. As Co-Owner and Education Director of Nashville Auction School, Shane is no stranger to teaching. Shane's passion for education is only rivaled by his competitive spirit; he has been awarded the TN Rookie Championship, Volunteer Open Championship, and 2019 TN State Championship and has multiple top 10 finishes in the International Auctioneer Championship. Shane currently leads a robust team of Real Estate Auction Professionals as the Director of Auction Operations for Blackwell Realty and Auction in Nashville, TN.
Greg Schowe
Division Manager, Asset Preservation, Inc.
Greg Schowe is Division Manager at Asset Preservation, Inc., bringing over 20 years of experience in 1031 tax-deferred exchanges and real estate transactions. Known for his client-focused approach, Greg works closely with investors, brokers, attorneys, and financial professionals nationwide, offering personalized guidance and practical insights. His dynamic presentations combine deep industry knowledge with real-world case studies to help audiences understand and apply effective exchange strategies.
John Schultz, AMM
Partner | Chief Marketing & Technology Officer, Grafe Auction Company
A recognized leader at the intersection of auctioneering and innovation, John Schultz has dedicated over 25 years to advancing the industry. As Partner and Chief Marketing & Technology Officer at Grafe Auction, he spearheads the strategies that have transformed the company into a national leader, conducting over 300 online auctions annually across the retail, hospitality, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors.
John’s leadership extends across the profession, having served as the 76th President of the National Auction Association (NAA) and 60th President of the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association (MSAA). His passion for the industry was first sparked in 1992 at his grandfather’s estate auction, igniting a lifelong commitment to the craft and its community.
A firm believer in professional development, John is a lead instructor for the Auction Marketing Management (AMM) designation and a graduate of the prestigious Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI). His contributions have been celebrated with the 2025 Pat Massart Leadership Award, the NAA President’s Award of Distinction, and the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association’s Golden Gavel Award.
Based in Grand Meadow, Minnesota, with his wife Billie Jo and daughter Anna Claire, John is driven by a core mission: to empower others through leadership, education, and meaningful innovation.
Brandon Rowley
Sales Representative | AuctionTime
Brandon Rowley is a Sales Representative with AuctionTime, serving the Midwest for more than seven years with one goal—help auctioneers and dealers win. From cutting-edge appraisal tools to precision marketing and insider market insights, Brandon brings the resources and know-how to help clients capture more business and close more deals. Known for his no-nonsense approach and results-driven mindset, he equips auction professionals with strategies that give them the competitive edge they need in today’s fast-moving marketplace.
Cooper Samway
Sales Representative | AuctionTime
Cooper Samway is a Sales Representative with AuctionTime, helping auctioneers and auction companies across the South-Central U.S. launch, grow, and thrive. With years of hands-on industry experience, Cooper is known for turning big ideas into practical results—whether that’s helping a start-up make its first sale or guiding a seasoned pro toward new revenue streams. His relationship-first approach and tailored solutions make him a trusted partner for long-term success, while his presentations deliver real-world strategies auction professionals can put to work right away.
Matt Corso
Branch Director, Kauffman Realty
Matt Corso is an auctioneer and real estate broker, with over 20 years’ experience, serving as the branch director at Kaufman Realty & Auctions in Illinois. With a history of facilitating the development of multiple live and online multi-parcel bidding platforms, Matt has become a go-to expert, frequently called upon to facilitate multi-parcel land auctions across the United States. His expertise has earned him invitations to speak about auctions, business, and auction technology both throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Kaufman Realty & Auctions conducts over 400 auctions and more than 1,400 transactions annually. Matt's previous role as CEO of a national auction franchise further solidified his leadership skills. He also contributes to his community through service on the elder board at Taylorville Christian Church and the school board at VisionWay Christian School. He also leads worship at his church and coaches junior high girls’ basketball. He holds the CAI (Certified Auctioneer Institute) and CES (Certified Estate Specialist) designations from the National Auction Association. Matt is married to Heidi, owner of Anderson Jewelers, and they are proud parents to seven children: Gracie, Mylie, Isaac, Piper, Paisley, Primrose, and Ivy.
/ meet the hosts
Shawn Terrel CAI, AARE, UCMA, ALC
President, United Country Auction Services
As the head of United Country Auction Services, Shawn Terrel brings a wealth of auction experience and insight to our executive management team. Shawn has 30 years of professional auction and bid calling experience. He is a former Director of the National Auction Association and a past Chairman and President of the Oklahoma State Auctioneers Association. Shawn has been crowned a Champion Auctioneer in multiple states during his career, and is recognized as one of the industry’s authorities on conducting auctions which incorporate internet bidding and accessibility technologies (ie. online auctions and live internet simulcasts). He has conducted thousands of auctions across the U.S., Mexico and Central America, with highlights such as a $500 million Hacienda Pinilla in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Shawn is a graduate of the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) at Indiana University and was an instructor for the “business planning” class for several years at (CAI). He holds the Accredited Auctioneer Real Estate (AARE) designation. He is a graduate of the Missouri Auction School and the Texas Auction Academy, where he is a certified instructor. He holds a real estate brokers license and an auctioneer’s license in multiple states across the U.S. Shawn is also the Co-owner and Chief Operations Officer of Mineral Marketing, LLC, a nationwide oil & gas mineral and asset marketing firm.
Jimmie Dean Coffey CAI, AARE, UCMA, ALC
Vice President, United Country Auction Services
Jimmie Dean Coffey is a highly accomplished professional in the real estate and auction industry. As Vice President of United Country Auction Services, he brings over four decades of experience and expertise to his role. Beginning his journey as an Auctioneer in 1983, he expanded his knowledge by obtaining his Real Estate license in 1985. He holds the prestigious CAI (Certified Auctioneer's Institute) designation and has pursued continuous professional development, earning various auction designations through the National Auction Association (NAA) such as AARE, BAS, AMM, and CES.
Jimmie Dean Coffey's outstanding skills and contributions have earned him a place in the Indiana Auctioneers Association's Hall of Fame. He has held director positions with NAA and NAA Education Trustees, as well as serving as Chair of the CAI Committee. He also demonstrated his commitment to the real estate and auction community by serving as a past president of IAA and the local Board of Realtors. Throughout his career, Jimmie Dean has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, leading the Auction Services division at United Country Real Estate to new heights and ensuring unparalleled success for clients and affiliates alike.