About Patrick O'Neill

{short description of image} With over twenty-five years of experience, you could say that Patrick Shane O’Neill 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

Client List
American Cancer Society American Red Cross March of Dimes Best Buddies International Starlight Starbright Foundtion American Horticultural Society Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation Georgetown Preparatory School Sidwell Friends School Gonzaga Landon School Bullis School National Child Resource Center (NCRC) Durham Academy Connelly School of the Holy Child St. Martin's-in-the-Field School Woods Academy Potomac School		James Renwick Alliance Youth Apostles Isaac Walton League Habitat for Humanity Skipjack Martha Lewis Harford Day School Faith Communities and Civic Agencies United Mason-Dixon Community Association 4H Club Harford Community College Foundation Little Falls Meeting of the Friends Community Action Agency Fallston Animal Rescue Harford County Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Harford Friends School Highland 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. O’Neill 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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