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GARY NEWTON, Sr. Project Manager and Owner
Our unique ability to customize our services in response to the variety of collections, circumstances, and client needs sets PEERLESS Estate Sales above any competitor. Business Development expert and native New Yorker, Gary Newton, designed our information management system, EMPIRE V.2 which is a custom-built inventory manager and database marketing tool. It is designed to manage details for estate & consignment Clients, track a constantly growing list of sale shoppers, manage on-line sales, produce detailed Client reports and more. He is responsible for production of all direct mail sale promotions, and on-line marketing efforts. His sales and marketing talents are thanks to many years in the technical and professional staffing arena. An accomplished musician and vocalist, Gary earned his Associate’s degree in Business Management from Alfred State College in NY, and his Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
There are no days off when you own a small business. Like a shark that keeps swimming to keep oxygenated water flowing through its gills, Gary never stops moving. "I SLEEP-work."
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BRIAN PETERSON, Operations Manager
Since 2005, Brian's strong work ethic, sense of ownership, and enthusiasm for our business has been irreplaceable! Exceeding the expectations of Peerless Estate Sales' clients is a daily focus and his care for our loyal following of customers ensures they'll be there to make every project a success. He manages a long list of details every week to open each liquidation event on time, every time. In addition to coordinating the resources and talents of both our sales and set-up teams, Brian supervises the on-line selling process to bring consistently high sales volume and customer satisfaction. Brian holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Southern Oregon University.
When you wonder how the PEERLESS Estate Sales team can pull-off such top-notch estate sales and service week after week - seemingly without a break -- it's thanks to Brian who will gladly work literally weeks straight with no need for a day off.
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SUSAN SCHAUS, Sr. Merchandising Associate
Tugging on her mother’s sleeve after stepping into one of our events, we hear the compliment that’s music to our ears: “mommy, it looks just like a store!” Thanks to the design and decorating talent of Susan Schaus who not only is a deadline driven merchandiser with the highest personal standards, but someone with a skilled eye for creative visual merchandising. After more than 8 years in New York’s jewelry market with A. Jaffee & Sons Jewelers on 5th Avenue and well-known designer Penny Preville, Susan ran her own small business, selling sterling pieces to many of the better galleries across the country and continues a personal line of unique jewelry pieces designed with repurposed gems and vintage treasures. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Studio Art from State University College of NY at Brockport.
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MITCH MEGAW, On-line Sales
With 20 years of retail customer service experience, Mitch Megaw is more than just a friendly and efficient cashier you recognize from sale-to-sale! He's our resident pop-culture collectibles smarty-pants too! Comic books, Si-Fi movies, TV, you name it! A native of Ohio, Mitch has been an avid collector all his life and is constantly learning about the values and selling potential of vintage collectibles and antiques. |
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AL CARDER, Generalist Appraiser
Appraiser with PEERESS Estate Sales since 2004 specializing in vintage and antique glass, collectible porcelain, Pacific Northwest artists- fine oil paintings and watercolors. Our "old man of the sea" Al is, in fact, older! He was born in West Virginia and left home at the age of 15. One of 10 children - all who's names started with the letter "A," young Alvin traveled the country for 4 years then settled in Seattle before serving 2 years in the army.
Out of the service, Al joined Safeway Corporation -- working 48 hours a week while attending Seattle University where he got his Bachelor's degree in Business. Al retired from Safeway in 1999 after 40 years of promotions -- his final position as Director of Labor Relations. He remains a Management Trustee on the Western Conference of Teamsters Trust.
"I'm not a lazy old man," he says. "I've never been without a job!" And what a history -- oiler on heavy equipment, door-to-door salesman, and nurse. He even tried preaching when he was young! "Don't forget the SEA-GOING TUG story, Al..." Gary often jokes. After helping to rebuild the railroad in Alaska, working in a bakery, grocery store, and gold mining!
Informed and passionate about STUFF, Al has quite a bit of his own! The collectables business is just a retirement hobby now. A full-time hobby! Al and his wife Carol travel the antiques and collectibles show circuit buying other people's treasures while trying to sell their own -- maybe not always making money, but always making new friends. Sharing a smile and a glass of fine wine.
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ALLISON JONES, Office Manager
The first friendly and helpful voice our new clients hear on the phone, Allison was born in Winterset, Iowa and graduate of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI with a degree in Animal Science ...and a licensed pilot!
She understands the intense nature of our deadline-driven business and can go toe-to-toe with the guys. Ask, can you work 7 days a week again, Allison? "No problem," she'll reply.
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EMALINE GOGGIN, Merchandising Associate, Palm Springs
Retired reading teacher from New York, Emaline has been part of the setup and sales team since 2004. She is tireless when it comes to clean dishes and glassware plus the creative packaging you'll find at our sales!
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JORGE GARCIA, Cashier - Portland
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CAROL HOWE, Cashier - Seattle
Recent recipient of the Lifelong Learning Award a North Seattle Community College, Carol is a full-time member of the team in the eLearning Support Center. She works to organize, develop, implement and facilitate training relative to organizing educational materials for effective online delivery as well as training with the etools used in the process. Graduate of the State University of New York at Alfred, Associates Degree
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ELIE CHARPENTIER, Cashier - Portland
Graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. Elie is thrilled to have joined the Peerless team! She loves learning about collectors, collecting, the Life of Stuff and those who accept its stewardship. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design, and when she’s not helping people take home bargains and treasures from a PEERLESS Estate Sale, this painter/singer/songwriter does freelance editing and proofreading!
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AMY TAYLOR, Creator, Videographer and Editor of The Liquidators pilot
Amy started her career in television at KCTS Seattle in 1979. She then launched into a 25 year career as an editor, first in New York City, and then in Miami, where she owned her own post production boutique and provided creative editorial and post supervision for many large ad agencies.
After raising two sons, she relaunched her career by merging everything she had learned about production and editing, and since 2004 she has scripted, produced, and shot dozens of videos for high tech companies.
While shooting a reality show pitch for someone else, she realized that she had a great concept for a show about estate sales! That led to her seeking out Gary Newton and the PEERLESS Estate Sales team. The word “serendipitous” is a perfect description for this match. |
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MARY STEELE, Bookkeeper |
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GERALD JONES, Cashier - Palm Springs
Always being ready to pack his bags is second-nature to Gerald. During the week, he's a travel consultant for American Express! Gerald attended Walla Walla University. |
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RICK EDMUNDSON, Web Master
While Gary may be the star of the stage, Rick is the star behind the scenes technically. Rick has been with Peerless for over 10 years now, helping the Peerless team realize their goals through technology and artistry. Rick is also the owner of nwcoffee.com - his motto... "Quality -vs- Quantity". |