Many of our Ritchie Bros. team members come from farm backgrounds and bring a unique, local experience when it comes to helping our customers. Living, working, and being part of the communities we serve, is a core value for Ritchie Bros.
Our team members have the experience, market knowledge and a solid reputation for helping Canadian farmers not just reach their goals, but exceed them. We wanted to feature some of our family members who are living the #aglife and helping customer every day.
Brooke Schrijver
Agriculture Territory Manager
Southwestern Ontario
How did you first get involved in the ag business?
Since I was a kid, I was involved on my grandparent’s beef, cash crop and standardbred racehorse farm helping with farm chores to spend time with them. I started working on a dairy farm while I was in college, loved it and decided to get into dairy consumable sales then venture into equipment sales. With just under a decade of experience now. Today, I live on a Canadian dairy farm here in Ontario with my husband.
What is your key to being successful with customers in the farming industry?
I like to make sure our customers are feeling HEARD as well as feeling relatable in the industry. With having a farm background and living in a small farm community, I better understand farmers’ concerns and can guide them through tough decisions.
Why should a customer choose Ritchie Bros. over other auction companies?
We are a local company with a global reach. We care about our customers; no matter the situation we want their outcome to be the best it can be. Our dedicated team ensures a smooth transition for farmers when auctioneering their equipment.
Kelly Cissell
Agriculture Territory Manager
Grande Prairie, Alberta
How did you first get involved in the ag business?
I started working for an equipment dealership after high school as a receptionist/office admin, through the years I worked my way up the ladder and eventually became Sales Manager for locations in Grande Prairie, AB and Dawson Creek, BC. I grew up in the Peace Country so have been around farming my whole life, while not directly involved my grandparents farmed, so I was always in and around the industry.
What is your key to being successful with customers in the farming industry?
Building great relationships over the years with the customers has been the main key, understanding the importance of customer service and how the industry works has also helped a lot.
Why should a customer choose Ritchie Bros. over other auction companies?
The global exposure that Ritchie Bros. offers – paired with the fact that our employees live in the communities we serve – make Ritchie Bros. the best choice when looking for an auction company.
Sherry Hahn
Regional Operations Manager
Canadian Prairies
How did you first get involved in the ag business?
I’ve been involved in Ag all my life. I come from a mixed farming operation and continue to operate my own mixed operation of cash crop and commercial cattle.
What is your key to being successful with customers in the farming industry?
Some of my neighbours are our customers, and it really goes to show how a global company is tied to small town roots. I will run into our customers at the store, getting parts, at the post office, etc., and we all have something to bring to the table in the conversation.
Why should a customer choose Ritchie Bros. over other auction companies?
Farming is probably one of the most riskiest jobs there is, whether your cash crop and waiting on rain, or if you’re in -40C and trying to calve, there’s never a guarantee you’re going to make any money at the end of the year. Some of our customers have been farming for generations and that’s all they know, where RB brings the experience and professionalism in decades of learning that it takes to provide the quality of auctions that they do. Just thinking about retirement is an emotional roller coaster for most, and RB removes the uncertainty of the process for the customer, walking them through every step of the way.
Avril Arthur
Buyer Marketing Manager
Warman, Saskatchewan
How did you first get involved in the ag business?
I ran a print shop at the University of Saskatchewan when I was hired at the Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers office in Saskatoon in 2009. I was quickly immersed into the world of agriculture and farm auctions through managing the Agriculture Auction Guide projects, then developing the advertising campaigns for each farm auction we conducted. Growing up and living in Saskatchewan, I am surrounded by farming and have good friends who are still active in farming – both grain and cattle. I’ve even taken part in butchering chickens and cleaning out the gizzards!
What is your key to being successful with customers in the farming industry?
It’s the personal stories of our customers that showed me that no matter how big or small the operation, our customer is selling their entire life… a life that more often than not, goes back generations. The team at Ritchie Bros. understands that better than anyone, which is why we are there at every step of the dispersal process.
Why should a customer choose Ritchie Bros. over other auction companies?
We live in the communities with our customers – we go to the same football and hockey games, attend the same events and experience the highs and lows of the agriculture industry. We have the insight of the region as a local, with the power of Ritchie Bros. to get their equipment the global exposure its deserves.
Want to speak with someone on our ag team?
Our representatives would be happy to hear about your needs, learn about your business and provide tailored advice and solutions.