Meet our newest auctioneer Kevin Howell!  Kevin joined the J.P. Weigand & Sons, Inc. Commercial Division in 2019 and specializes in auctions, commercial sales & leasing, farm, ranch, recreational, and development land.  In early 2020, Kevin received his auctioneer certification from Continental Auctioneer School in Des Moines, Iowa.

Q&A with Kevin Howell

Where did you grow up?  

I was born and raised in Oklahoma. We moved around a little, but my family is all from Western Oklahoma.

How many siblings do you have?

I have a sister that is five years older than me.

What is the best meal your mom prepares?  

Anything!

When you graduated high school what were your future plans?  

Take over the world! I wanted to go to Oklahoma State University like my Grandpa had and get a degree in Agriculture.

You wear your Oklahoma State University (OSU) orange proudly.  What did you study during your tenure at OSU?  

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Leadership from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources with an emphasis in Agriculture Economics. I started out as a Plant & Soil Science major and quickly decided there was not enough “people interaction” and “too much science” in that for me, so I changed to education and then to leadership.

When did you decide you wanted to be in real estate? Was there something or someone who influenced you?  

My grandpa owned a real estate and insurance business in Clinton, Oklahoma where my mom and dad grew up.  I grew up running around the office there, so I developed a natural interest.  In 2008, I had an internship at a bank and I got to work in commercial and agriculture lending.  This is when I knew that I liked the business and commercial side of things and really started thinking about it as a career opportunity. Life had other plans, but I have been working my way back to commercial real estate since then. My biggest influencers have been my Grandpa, and Grant Ward, the president of the bank I worked at.

When did you decide you wanted to specialize in auctions?

I have always had an interest in becoming an auctioneer, but never really had a chance to make that happen until I started in J.P. Weigand & Sons, Inc.

When & where did you attend auctioneer school?

I attended Continental Auctioneers School In Des Moines, Iowa in February 2020.

Is there a strategy to auctioneers talking so fast?

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. It is not as much about speed as it is be smooth and rhythmic.

It seems most auctioneers have a signature style or technique.  Has anyone ever told you what your style or technique is?

Most auctioneers develop a style from “filler words” that are smooth and natural for them to use and blend together in their chant.  Depending on what words are natural for you and what speed and cadence you are comfortable with will have a lot to do with your signature style. Not yet!

Tell us about your family.  

My wife of 7 years, Jeralynn, grew up in Colwich, Kansas and all her family still lives in the area. We lived in Granbury, Texas for several years before moving to Colwich in June of 2016 and starting a family.

We have two daughters, Evalynn Jack is three and Hazel Neil is one.  They keep us busy!

Jeralynn is a 5th grade teacher in Valley Center.

Any family pets?

We have two dogs, a border collie named Dally, and a mutt named Gibbs. We also have three horses, Sugar, Davi, and Woody.

What would you consider to be your hobbies?

Spending time with my family, cooking, attending Oklahoma State University sporting events, and working with and training horses.

If you were stranded on a desert island and were allowed three items aside from survival gear, what would they be?

Something cold to drink, record player, and my record collection.

What is your middle name?

Neil

What did you do prior to joining J.P. Weigand & Sons, Inc.?

I worked in sales, marketing, and event management in the equine sports industry.

What is your favorite part of living in the Wichita area?

I love that we get to be so close and connected to our rural roots, but also have access to all the amenities a larger city has to offer. I take pride in being a small part of the future and development of a city and region I have grown to love.

Favorite local restaurant?

Fast food: Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Causal: Bricktown Brewery

Special Occasion: Newport Grill or Siena Tuscan Steakhouse

What memberships do you hold?

Kansas Auctioneers Association
National Auctioneers Association
Realtors Land Institute
Kansas CCIM Chapter
Realtors of South Central Kansas
Kansas Association of Realtors
National Association of Realtors

Contact Kevin

Contact Kevin at 316-292-3971 or by email a khowell@weigand.com