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About Patrick O'Neill
With
over twenty-five years of experience, you could say that Patrick
Shane ONeill is a consummate professional auctioneer. But
that would be telling only part of the story. He started his
career right out of high school working for his father, assisting
in livestock and grain farming, as well as real estate and
personal property appraisals and sales. The business thrived. But
over time his love for the art of auctioneering pulled him from
the other business matters so that he could focus on his passion.
Since leaving the family business, Patrick has been affiliated
with antique auction galleries in three states. His experience
brought him into the fund raising sector of the auction
profession. Along the way, he has developed a growing list of
organizations that have relied on his expertise in fundraising
development including: American Cancer Society, March of Dimes,
Best Buddies International, Starlight Starbright Foundation,
Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, American Red Cross,
Sidwell Friends, Bullis, NCRC, Durham, Gonzaga, Georgetown Prep,
Landon School just to name a few. Now, benefit auctions are the
mainstay of his professional career. In addition to the many
non-profit organizations and private schools that rely on his
expertise in the mid-Atlantic region, he is currently auctioneer
for the Potomack Company, an antiques and fine art auction gallery
in Old Town Alexandria. That is, when he is not growing organic
vegetables on the family farm where he grew up. You see, you
really cannot ever take the farm out of the boy.
"My mission is to provide superior auction
consultation and performance for my clients, while developing a
lasting professional relationship within the community."
Patrick
O'Neill
Present and Past Clients |
American Red Cross March of Dimes
American Cancer Society
Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation
Best Buddies International
Points of Light
Children’s National Medical Center
DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Washington Tennis and Education Foundation
FRESHFARM Markets
Year Up
Operation Smile
Charity Works
DC Nationals
Institut Curie
Journey Through Hallowed Ground
Hearts & Homes for Youth
Latino Student Fund
MD Film Industry Coalition
Baltimore City Office of Promotion
Seabury Resources for Aging
Auguste Escoffier Society
James Renwick Alliance
Habitat for Humanity
Washington Ballet
Cosmos Club
Oyster Recovery Partnership
American Horticultural Society
Organization of American States
Thurgood Marshall Academy
Georgetown University
Georgetown Prep
Beauvoir School
Lab School of Washington |
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National Cathedral School
Holton-Arms School
National Presbyterian School
Sidwell Friends
Gonzaga College High School
Landon School
Lowell School
Bullis School
Primary Day School
Temple Sinai School
Browne Academy
Youth Apostles
Isaac Walton League
Skipjack Martha Lewis
Harford Day School
Faith Communities and Civic Agencies United
Mason Dixon Community Association
4H Club
Animal Rescue
Harford Community College Foundation
Little Falls Meeting of the Friends
Community Action Agency
Fallston Animal Rescue
Harford County AG Marketing Cooperative
Harford Friends School
Highland School
National Child Resource Center
Durham Academy
Connelly School of the Holy Child
Academy of the Holy Cross
St. Martins in the Field School
Woods Academy
Potomac School |
FAQs
How do I know if hiring a professional auctioneer
like Patrick O'Neill is right for my organization?
Are you looking to increase the revenue stream
from the event? If so, Patrick O'Neill will help you reach that
goal by placing more emphasis on the live auction portion of the
event.
What is the benefit of a live auction over a
silent auction?
In a live auction, you are able to encourage far
more competitive bidding from the audience than with a silent
auction. A live auction provides an interactive atmosphere that is
fun and entertaining, whereas a silent auction can often be
tedious for the attendees.
Besides the live auction, what role will the
auctioneer play?
The auctioneer also can serve as master of
ceremony for the entire event. That would include making any
necessary announcements, tracking the progress of the silent
auction and announcing the closings, keeping the event moving on
time, conducting raffle drawings, etc.
What kind of consultation service do you offer?
Organizing a fund raising event is a huge
undertaking and requires hundreds of hours of time and energy from
many people in the community. Patrick O'Neill centers his
consultation services on fine-tuning your existing event for
optimum results. This may include helping you to make changes
where you believe it is needed, as well as discussions of the live
auction order of sale, time line modifications, additional
staffing, elements of surprise, etc.
What kinds of "elements of surprise" can
be included in an auction?
"Elements of surprise" are methods of
raising attendee participation and revenues. They include Mini
Live; Sign-Ups; Heads or Tails; Secret Second; Fund-a-Need;
Bidding Frenzy; Best-of-Live and more. For more information on
these elements, request a free consultation online or by phone.
What type of auctions have you conducted?
My experience is comprehensive: fund raising
auctions; antiques and fine art auctions; absolute auctions;
online auctions; sealed bid auctions; industrial, commercial,
residential and unimproved land real estate auctions; business
liquidations; equipment and livestock auctions;
bankruptcy/foreclosure; delinquent tax sales; etc.
What is the most noteworthy auction you have
conducted?
A career highlight was auctioning the estate of
Clark McAdams Clifford, counsel to Presidents Truman, Kennedy,
Johnson, and Carter. After conducting the appraisal for the estate
representatives, I lived at Clifford's home while preparing and
conducting an online sealed bid auction of the balance of his
possessions, which were not kept by the family or given to the
presidential libraries or the Library of Congress. The auction
grossed over $350,000.
What other support services are you able to provide
for the event?
Patrick S. ONeill can arrange for bid
spotters as well as full service auction event consulting at any
level through his network of professionals that have collaborated
with him over the years.
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Copyright © 2007
Patrick O'Neill. All rights reserved.
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