STAFF
Steve Bartkus
Auctioneer / Realtor / CAI / AMM
Lic. #AU11100072 - RB14051464
(260) 437-6555
steve@stevebartkus.com
Steve Bartkus is a first-generation Auctioneer who grew up just north of Fort Wayne Indiana. He started his career in Real Estate in 2001 and is currently a broker with Century 21 Bradley. He has gained experience working with the public liquidating Real Estate and now personal property of those who need to make that next move in their life. After an 8-year career in Architectural Design, he decided to switch gears and serve the public in a different manner. Steve grew up a small-town boy with big dreams and aspirations while his parents instilled in him a great work ethic and the desire to work hard for the things that matter to him. He has been married to his wife, Jody since 1998, and has a son and daughter that also enjoy helping around the auction ring. He has a passion for giving back to the community and has been involved with many benefit auctions around the area. Steve enjoys spending time with his family and taking in the great outdoors. He is very active in his church parish and is a part of both men’s and youth groups. Steve also serves as a member of local 4H boards and the Northwest Allen County School Board. He has been a member of both the Indiana and National Auctioneers Association since 2011, Held the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) designation since 2018, and the Auction Marketing Management (AMM) designation Since 2019.
Jody Bartkus
Realtor
Lic. RB14051463
260-715-9797
Jody was employed by Northwest Allen County Schools for 15 years before she started selling real estate full-time. She is currently a Broker with Century 21 Bradley and she loves working with buyers and sellers, meeting new people, and getting to know their housing needs. She prides herself in getting back to clients fast and being there for them from the beginning to long after closing. She was a first-grade religious education teacher, and youth group leader, and is a Eucharist minister, and a member of the parish council. They have been married since 1998. They enjoy spending time with their family and friends
Ben Bauman
Auctioneer
Lic. #AU12100036
(260) 413-7545
ben@bartkusauctioneers.com
Ben Bauman is a first-generation Auctioneer who grew up in Decatur, Indiana, but recently relocated to Noble County, Indiana. He started out his career by going to Purdue University for Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering earning a Bachelor of Science degree. He has worked as an engineer in the space industry since 2007, supporting multiple weathers (metrological) and defense-related satellite build and launch campaigns. Ben growing up in a family where attending auctions was a weekly rite of passage, may have planted a seed early in his childhood that just recently started to grow. Ben went to Reppert School of Auctioneering in 2021, allowing him to start his professional auctioneering aspirations. He is an active member of his church (Pine Hills), being part of the men’s ministry group as well as a small community group.
Chris Hedges
Auctioneer
Lic. # AU11800006
260-410-0867
chris@bartkusauctioneers.com
Chris is a first-generation auctioneer who grew up in Huntertown IN and now resides in Spencerville IN since 1995. He was a Graduate of Reppert Auctioneer School in December of 2017 & is a member of the Indiana Auctioneer Association since 2017. Chris is experienced in mechanics & farm properties. He has the right touch when it comes to working around heavy equipment & farming communities. Chris is a 1989 graduate of Garrett High School and has a degree in Criminal Justice. He has been married to his wife Dana since 1992 while living on the farm with their 2 daughters & 2 sons, who enjoy helping out around the auction setting also. He also has 4 beautiful grandchildren, with one on the way. Chris enjoys spending time with his family, working with kids in 4H, tinkering with equipment, camping & the great outdoors. Chris is an Army veteran & member of the Legion Post 202 in Butler, while also serving on the Honor Guard. He has also been involved in 4H, volunteering since 2004, in club leadership, and as an auction chairman.
Andi Jones
Auctioneer / Estate Specialist
Lic. #AU1200012
(260) 417-2647
andreajones0707@gmail.com
With a strong background in sales, art, music and auction leadership, Andi brings energy, experience, and attention to detail to every auction. Before joining Bartkus Auctioneers, starting in 2011, she spent almost a decade as a Sales Director in car, truck and heavy-duty equipment auctions, following working with an Estate Sale service during Covid. Andi has developed a deep knowledge in asset value, buyer behavior, and fast-paced auction environments. Known as a true people person, she thrives on the fast pace of auction days, enjoy learning something new at every sale, and values the relationships she builds with both buyers and sellers. A Fort Wayne native, Andi is a graduate of Bishop Dwenger High School and hold certificates from Ivy Tech in Business Administration and Supply Chain Management/Logistics as well as recently graduating from Repperts Auctioneering School. Coming from a family business background, Andi's grandparents built and operated Roller Dome North and South along with her parents running a Hardwood Flooring company for 40 years, she understand firsthand the importance of trust, hard work, and community. Whether assisting families, businesses, or organizations, she is committed to making the auction process smooth, professional, and successful.
Judi Burgess
Lead Auction Curator | Estate Liquidation Specialist | Personal Property Appraiser
ISA | CAGA | ASEL | USPAP Compliant
estates@bartkusauctioneers.com
Judi Burgess uses her 25+ years experience in estate liquidation, personal property appraisals, and e-commerce sales & marketing to create engaging auction catalogs. Her work combines identification, market awareness, visual presentation, descriptive titles, and practical resale knowledge to showcase estate contents, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, household goods, and unusual personal property.
Judi earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Design from Purdue University. She is a member of the International Society of Appraisers and is current in USPAP education as of June 2026.
Judi provides USPAP-compliant appraisals for IRS needs and other personal property valuation purposes, with clear, well-supported reports tailored to the intended use.
Overwhelmed with an estate? Need to fully or partially liquidate a business? Judi can help you understand what you have, evaluate your options, and move forward with a practical plan.
Billy Hagan
Auctioneer
Lic. # #AU10400170
502-724-2969
billy@haganauctioneers.com
Billy has been employed in the auction industry since 1997 and became a licensed auctioneer in 2004. He is a full-time auctioneer, licensed in IN, KY, OH, TN & FL, an active member of the National Auctioneers Association, and an instructor at the Indiana College of Auctioneers. He has earned the Certified Auctioneer Institute (CAI), Auction Marketing Management (AMM) and Graduate Personal Property Appraiser (GPPA) designations through the National Auctioneers Association and is a USPAP compliant appraiser who has done appraisals for individuals, small businesses, large corporations, banks, and attorneys.