Iowa Farmland Real Estate Brokerage and Auction Company
WHITAKER MARKETING GROUP
Our commitment is to be your trusted advisor. Our obligation is to market your assets to the largest audience, yielding the most successful outcome.
Whitaker Marketing Group’s mission is to serve our clients by providing an accelerated marketing campaign in combination with a competitive bidding platform allowing assets to achieve their greatest value in the shortest amount of time possible. With our office located in central Iowa, we offer a host of services to all of Iowa and Nationwide. With years of experience, our Team of Professionals is available to assist you with exceptional service and proven results.
Whitaker Marketing Group is a licensed real estate brokerage and auction company providing land auctions, equipment auctions, appraisals, and online auctions. We Specialize in Farmland and Fundraising. Licensed in Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska • David Whitaker License # B61078000 Firm # F06262000 • 101 US 69, Huxley, Iowa 50124
DAVID WHITAKER
BROKER | AUCTIONEER Licensed in Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska
📧 Email: David@wmgauction.com
📱Mobile: (515)-460-8585
📋 Biography: David attended Missouri Auction School in 2008. Since then, he has been a contract hire auctioneer as well as the owner of Whitaker Marketing Group. Although David enjoys his auctioneer role in many types of auctions, Whitaker Marketing Group's primary focus is selling farmland and fundraising. David's passion for the industry has led him to many state championships, international rookie champion, and a world auctioneer spokesman of the year award. David is the Charmin of the board for the Iowa Auctioneers Association. David is the President-Elect of the Iowa Realtor Land Institute.
🎓 Education
Iowa State University Bismark State Collge DMACC Iowa Association of Realtors Realtor Land Institute Missouri Auction School Worldwide College of Auctioneering Western College of Auctioneering
🏆 Awards
Land Report Best Brokerages & Best Auction Houses Certified Auction Institute - Rose Award (Best Business Plan) International Auctioneer Finalist (Top 5) Iowa State Champion Auctioneer Minnesota State Champion Auctioneer Nebraska State Champion Auctioneer Missouri State Champion Auctioneer US Bid Calling 1st Runner Up Champion Canadian International Western Champion Mule Day Champion Auctioneer World Livestock Auctioneer Spokesman (Interview Top Score) Nebraska Champion Ringman
📋 Biography: Ann has been in the auction business for over 13 years but has utilized the auction method of marketing for her family’s livestock, hay etc. ever since she was little. Being the owner of Whitaker Marketing Group and her involvement with the auction business of selling farmland has led her to getting her real estate license this year. Her home roots in farming/ranching, & livestock make it the perfect combination when selling farmland real estate.
🎓 Education
Iowa State University Iowa Association of Realtors
AMBER FRANKS
OFFICE MANAGER
📧 Email: Amber@wmgauction.com
📱 Mobile: (515)-298-0289
📍 Location: Huxley Iowa
📋 Biography: Amber was born and raised in Iowa. She earned an Associate's degree in Management from DMACC in 2001 and has a background in customer service, having worked at Camp Dodge and as a city carrier for the Post Office. In 2008, she married Raymond Franks and in 2010, they decided to relocate for his career. Over the next 12 years, they moved seven times across five different states. Amber and Raymond have two children, Tinley and Daughtry. During this period, Amber received a web design certificate from McHenry County College and worked as a substitute teacher. In 2021, the family returned to Iowa, settling in Huxley. Recently in 2024, Amber completed her Bachelor's degree in Software Development from WGU, continuing her commitment to her professional and personal growth.
🎓 Education
DMACC McHenry County College WGU
📋 Biography: Cathy Vincent, the owner of Gypsy Alley, a vintage gift shop in Nevada, Iowa, was born and raised in Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University. Over the past 20 years, she and her husband Jason and their two growing boys, have built several small businesses in Central Iowa with integrity, exceptional customer service, and compassionate public relations. Cathy has an eye for quality craftsmanship, a love for antiques, collectibles, and things of days gone by, and an incredible work ethic. Her personal touch and creativity is evident through her diverse and rich community involvement. Cathy is dedicated to her family and her Iowa roots invest in her community and is motivated to provide quality services to every customer. She listens to the needs of her clientele and through her personal interactions with customers, Cathy excels in connecting motivated sellers with interested buyers.
🎓 Education
Iowa State University
MERLE WITT
AUCTION REPRESENTATIVE WESTERN IOWA
📧 Email: Merle@wmgauction.com
📱 Mobile: (515)-231-7310
📋 Biography: Merle’s background is in farming, raising livestock, running a purebred Angus herd, working for us and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. During his time on staff, we have benefited from the long-term relationships he developed throughout the years working for ICA and through his involvement in the community through 4-H, school and church activities, the farmers’ cooperative board, and an insurance board.
🎓 Education
Iowa State University
📋 Biography: Ron attended the World Wide College of Auctioneering and now works with Whitaker Marketing Group, helping with all types of Auctions.
🎓 Education
Iowa State University World Wide College of Auctioneering
📋 Biography: Born and raised on a farm, and a jack of many trades, Jay from Hampton, Iowa is excited to join the Whitaker Marketing Group team. With his varied background; crop spraying in the 1970’s and a Chevrolet Dealer in the 1980’s, Jay brings many skills to the team. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-Law Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa and has run an insurance and securities business since 1982. To complement his diverse background, Jay also obtained his Real Estate License in 2008 and his Broker’s License in 2010. In his free time, Jay enjoys golfing, working in his shop or spending time with his grandkids.
🎓 Education
University of Northern Iowa Iowa Association of Realtors
📋 Biography: Mike was born and raised on a family Century Farm in Creston, Iowa, encompassing row crops and livestock. Mike still cherishes his memories of putting up small square bales of hay on many a hot summer day in Iowa. Mike went on to attend Iowa State University where he received a degree in Agricultural Business and a minor in Finance. Upon Graduation from ISU Mike went to work for Asgrow Seed company as a District Sales Manager in Southeast Iowa, residing in Washington, Iowa. After 5 years, his career path took him to Ankeny, Iowa, to work as an agronomist, seed sales, and crop input sales for Heartland COOP at their Elkhart location just East of Ankeny. Mike took a shift in his career and went on to DHI Inc. to start a 20-year career in Sales and Management in the technology recruitment and software space. Mike had many years of achievement and made Presidents club five different years while at DHI. Agriculture always tugged at his heart. Mike made a move back into Agriculture in 2021 going to work for IntelliDrive, in Indianola, Iowa, an aftermarket provider of GPS control systems for air seeders and other equipment. He was the Regional Sales Manager, covering many midwestern states. Mike also obtained his Real Estate license for the State of Iowa in the spring of 2021. Mike transitioned in the spring of 2022, into a role as Regional Sales Manager, for Conservis, a platform offering a farm management system for growers to better understand and advance their business of farming, covering Iowa and Illinois. Mike met David and Ann in the spring of 2022 and found a terrific opportunity with Whitaker Marketing Group. He is excited to bring his unique and varied skill set in Business and Agriculture to Whitaker Marketing Group as a Realtor and Sales Agent where he is available to help you with anything regarding Land and Real Estate.
🎓 Education Iowa State University - Agriculture Business
📋 Biography: Scott was born and raised near Hampton, Iowa where he and his family currently live and farm. He has been around cattle and row crop farming his whole life, but has been actively farming his own operation since 2012. Scott and his wife, Becky, have been married since 2005 and currently reside on their farm Northwest of Hampton with their three sons. The oldest, twin boys, Brody and Ryder are currently 15 and their youngest son, Madox, is 12. Scott and his family have a purebred Angus herd with the raising and selling of breeding stock being their primary focus, but they also feed a select amount out for butcher beef. Scott says, “I love to do anything with cattle, as well as hunting and fishing and traveling with my wife and kids.” Along with these activities, Scott is also active in his community serving on the Hampton Fire Department, being a member of the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association, as well as an active participant in the Knights of Columbus. When asked what he likes about being a realtor, Scott says the thing he enjoys most is meeting people. More especially, helping both buyers and sellers through a very exciting time in their life.
🎓 Education Ellsworth Community College - Associate Science Degree
📋 Biography: Terry was born and raised on the family farm in Carroll County Iowa and continues to be active in farming. He earned a finance degree from Iowa State University. He recently retired after working for several decades in the banking industry, primarily in ag production lending. Terry and his wife Vicki live in Red Oak Iowa. They have four children and five grandchildren. He remains active in his community continuing to serve as treasurer for the Montgomery County Farm Bureau and secretary of the Red Oak Airport Commission.
Marilee Jones
AGENT
📧 Email: Marilee@wmgauction.com
📱 Mobile: (641)-512-5723
📍Location: Sheffield Iowa
📋 Biography: Marilee Jones, raised on a Dumont, Iowa farm, embodies the essence of Midwestern agriculture. Educated at North Iowa Area Community College, she evolved from a dedicated field appraiser of 15 years to a farmer and Sales Agronomist in North Central Iowa. Her roots in farming enrich her work, guiding farmers with a blend of expertise and passion. She currently resides in Sheffield, Iowa, as a real estate agent.
🎓 Education
North Iowa Area Community College
🏆 Awards
2021 Women Impacting Ag Award
Kalon Cleveland
CLOSING CORDINATOR
📧 Email: kalon@wmgauction.com
📱 Mobile: (712)-790-2274
📍Location: Huxley Iowa
📋 Biography: Kalon Cleveland, from Westside, Iowa, was raised on a family farm with cattle and a row crop operation, shaping his strong work ethic and practical skills. Embracing his rural roots, he pursued an education at DMACC in Carroll, Iowa, where he earned an Associate of Applied Science. Kalon's life story is a testament to the values of hard work and perseverance learned on the farm, seamlessly integrated into his academic pursuits. An avid Minnesota Timberwolves basketball fan, Kalon's life reflects a blend of rural values and diverse interests.
🎓 Education
DMACC- Liberal Arts
EmiLee Brown
OFFICE ASSISTANT
📧 Email: EmiLee@wmgauction.com
📱 Mobile: (641)-436-6578
📍Location: Huxley Iowa
📋 Biogrophy: EmiLee was born and raised in Grant City, Missouri. She spent her formative years on her family's farm helping raise Angus cattle. EmiLee started attending Des Moines Area Community College in the fall of 2022 and majoring in Agribuisness. EmiLee's deep-rooted passion for agriculture is evident in her involvement in the Agribusiness Club at DMACC. She currently serves as the Vice President for the club and is an active participant in the Professional Agricultural Students organization.
🎓 Education
DMACC- Agribuisness
🏆 Awards
American FFA Degree
AS A FULL SERVICE AUCTION COMPANY, WE PROVIDE A VARIETY OF OPTIONS:
Real Estate Listings and Brokerage:
We have a large footprint when it comes to selling farmland. We would love to go to work marketing your land for sale.
Farmland Auctions:
We work to be the best in the state of Iowa to sell your farmland. Our goal is to be your trusted farmland advisor.
Equipment Auctions:
As farm property specialists, we aren’t scared of heavy machinery. Equipment dispersals are some of our favorites to work on, we’d be happy to talk to you about selling your equipment!
Cattle Auctions:
We love good livestock just as much as the next farmer- so we have the knowledge and know-how to get you top dollar for your cattle!
Fundraising Auctions:
A staple of our business is helping our community. We hold a variety of Galas and Fundraising Events in an auction format to help raise money for numerous organizations!
WE ALSO OFFER SEVERAL AUCTION FORMATS TO BEST FIT YOUR NEEDS:
Live Auctions:
This is the most traditional auction style and probably what most people think of when they hear “auction”. This standard live auction is held in-person and is conducted by an auctioneer calling the bid in the normal outcry/chant fashion.
Online Only Auctions:
As the name suggests, this auction is held entirely over the internet. Typically, there is a time of closing on the items and buyers have until then to competitively bid on the website platform. All transactions take place virtually once time is up on that auction.
Simulcast Auctions:
This auction type combines both live and online options into one. The auction happens via a webcast in real time, with an auctioneer calling bids live but bidding can take place virtually or live in the crowd.
Fundraising Auctions:
Our Fundraisers can take form of any of the above options, but uniquely our firm offers countless resources to help better serve you and whatever would best suit your program. These resources include but are not limited to: consultations and webinars, as well as numerous physical handouts like brochures and guided outlines to best prepare you for the event!