Christie King, CAI, BAS, AARE

President

Ms. King is the founder and president of C King Benefit Auctions. She started her company in 2007 after working for more than 20 years in her family business, J. P. King Auction Company, a premier real estate marketing firm that sells high-end properties throughout North America, where she still serves on the Board of Directors and as one of three principles. She is licensed in real estate in 16 states where she serves as broker for J. P. King and works in a freelance capacity facilitating auctions when not conducting benefits.

After creating C King Benefit Auctions in 2007, Ms. King received her Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS) designation through the National Auctioneers Association. During her 24-year auction career, the Governor of Alabama appointed her to serve on the Alabama State Board of Auctioneers, where she served as the first female and youngest Chair. In addition, she is past President of the Alabama Auctioneer’s Association and the 1995 Alabama Grand Champion Auctioneer. In 2007, she was the first female inducted into the Alabama Auctioneers Hall of Fame. She presently serves as the Vice President of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) and will be the first woman to serve as President of the NAA in 2011.  She also serves on numerous Educational Institute Committees for the NAA and is the past Chair of their St. Jude Committee. Ms. King served a Class Advisor for the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) at Indiana University for the NAA’s Education Institute, serves on the NAA's Executive and Human Resource committee, and is also an adjunct auctioneer instructor at Jacksonville State University’s Continuing Studies in Jacksonville, Alabama. Ms. King was the recipient of the 2010 Woman of Distinction award given by the Girl Scouts of Northeast Alabama. She is a member of the Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida Auctioneer's Associations, and the Auctioneer's Association of North Carolina. Ms. King attends Ohatchee Church of Christ and is married to Michael Ray of Gadsden, Alabama.

Cathy Thomas, BAS

Auction Coordinator

Ms. Thomas began her affiliation with the auction industry as a Development Director for Eagle Rock Boys Ranch in Gadsden, Alabama. Through her event planning and marketing she developed a relationship with Ms. King, who was the auctioneer for their annual fund-raising event. Ms. Thomas came on board with C King Benefit Auctions in 2007. Her understanding of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into planning an event is the driving force behind her helping C King clients.

Ms. Thomas has a background in marketing. She is a graduate of Jacksonville State University with a double major in Marketing and Management and a minor in Business Administration. She received her Benefit Auctioneer Specialists designation from the National Auctioneer Association in January of 2009. She is also a member of the National Auctioneers Association. Ms. Thomas is very active at Harvestfield Church in Rainbow City, Alabama. She is the wife of Jerome Thomas and has two beautiful daughters, Emily and Hannah.



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