From left to right (back): J. Stephen Proffitt, Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel; Vincent E. Jarbo, Chief Operating Officer; Julie Bryant, Vice President of Auction Operations; Jody Keene, Vice President of Finance and Technology; (front) Christie King Ray, Vice President of Administration; J. Craig King, President and CEO; J. Scott King, Executive Vice President
J. Craig King, CCIM, CAI, AARE
President and CEO
In almost two decades as president of J. P. King, Mr. King has played a key role in the nationwide explosion in the use of auctions for high-value properties such as mansions, ranches, land, condominiums and developments. He is currently a member of the board of the National Auctioneers Association Foundation and was inducted in 2006 into the Alabama Auctioneers Hall of Fame.
During his career, he has served the industry as president of the Auction Marketing Institute and president of the Alabama Auctioneers Association. In addition, he has been a director of the National Auctioneers Association and a member of the Auction Committee of the National Association of Realtors.
Because of his reputation and experience, he is frequently sought out by such national media as the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, US News & World Report, Forbes and other prestigious publications. He has been a guest on major networks, including CBS, CNBC and CNN. He authors a widely followed blog on high-end real estate at craigking.realblogging.com.
Mr. King frequently serves as a speaker for such organizations as the National Auctioneers Association, Auction Marketing Institute, and the National Association of Realtors, in addition to various auction and real estate organizations. Mr. King is active in civic organizations, having previously served as vice president of the U. S. Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. King holds real estate and auctioneer licenses in more than a dozen states and has personally auctioned approximately 10,000 properties with sales prices totaling $1 billion.
Vincent E. Jarbo, CAI Chief Operating Officer
With extensive management experience both within and outside the auction industry, Mr. Jarbo is in a unique position to lead J. P. King’s nationwide expansion and manage the company’s operations to enable the company to consistently achieve excellent results and provide superior customer service in a cost-effective manner.
Before joining J. P. King, Mr. Vincent Jarbo spent 14 years in a management position and 8 years as vice president of operations for a major retail company. During his tenure, he was responsible for implementing and executing the company’s growth plans, strategies, budget planning, and profit & loss management.
By continually tracking business trends, incorporating “best practices” and spotting emerging markets and opportunities, Mr. Jarbo has played an important role in maintaining J. P. King’s leadership role in auction industry.
Jody Keene Vice President of Finance and Technology
Mr. Keene brings a wealth of experience to his current position. Before joining J. P. King, he served as a staff accountant for an Ingersoll-Rand subsidiary, where he was responsible for cost accounting and general accounting operations. In addition, he was responsible for overseeing financial operations at six cost centers for a billion-dollar company.
At J. P. King, he oversees all financial activities, including preparation of current financial reports as well as summaries and forecasts for future business growth and general economic outlook. He holds a B.S. degree from Jacksonville State University, with a concentration in accounting.
J. Stephen Proffitt III, Esq.
Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel
With training as both an attorney and an auctioneer, Steve Proffitt is uniquely qualified to address the many legal complexities of the real estate auction business. A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, he has practiced for 26 years with an emphasis on auctions, contracts, commercial law, litigation, and torts. He is also a graduate of the Missouri Auction School and a licensed auctioneer.
Mr. Proffitt also has a long track record of service to the auction industry as a noted writer and lecturer. He has taught seminars in 25 states and Canada and teaches legal classes at Reppert School of Auctioneering in Auburn, Ind., and Mendenhall School of Auctioneering in High Point, N.C.
In 2004, the National Auctioneers Association awarded him its President’s Award of Distinction, and he has been interviewed by numerous media outlets about legal and ethical issues relating to auctions.
J. Scott King CAI, AARE
Executive Vice President
For 25 years, Scott King has earned a reputation as an innovator in the real estate auction industry, with a particular talent for identifying new areas of opportunity and finding creative ways to get excellent results for sellers.
Soon after graduating from the Reisch World Wide College of Auctioneering, he pioneered the use of auctions for developers of high-rise condominiums and Planned Unit Developments along the Florida coast. In that role, he was responsible for J. P. King’s largest single auction up to that time, selling 48 units for an average of 97% of last selling price, with all units selling and closing in escrow that same day.
Recognizing a growing oversupply of properties in the Northeast, he then brought J. P. King’s auction methods to that area, accounting for more than $150 million in sales activity. These efforts earned him the coveted Vanguard Award, one of the industry’s highest honors. Recent major achievements have included the sale of NBA superstar Karl Malone’s Salt Lake City home ($2.75 million); Boston Red Sox infielder John Valentin's home on the Navesink River in New Jersey ($7.3 million); a Lake Tahoe mansion ($10.7 million); and a golf resort and development ($15.6 million).
Mr. King is responsible for expansion of J. P. King’s sales force nationwide, including recruitment and training. He also serves on the company’s board of directors.
He is a fourth-generation auctioneer, a member of the National Auctioneers Association, and holds the NAA's Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) designation. He also has earned the Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate designation, the Auction Marketing Institute's highest degree of accomplishment.
Julie Bryant, AARE Vice President of Auction Operations
Ms. Bryant has demonstrated a leadership role in the real estate industry for more than 23 years. As Vice President of Auction Operations, Ms. Bryant oversees all auction related activities for J. P. King. These vital elements include the Auction Information Center, Project Management, Auction Administration, on-site showing personnel, and the production of our industry-leading auction events.
Prior to joining the J. P. King team, Ms. Bryant held various roles with a national property management firm. As District Manager, she was responsible for the operation of numerous properties. Additionally, Ms. Bryant coordinated acquisitions and the associated due diligence for the expansion of their business.
Ms. Bryant has been instrumental in teaching the multi-par method of bidding at the annual National Auctioneer’s Conventions throughout the country. She has also been pro-active in contributing ideas and beta testing software programs for the auction industry.
Ms. Bryant received her Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate (AARE) designation in 2006, along with her Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) designation from Indiana University in 2007. These prestigious designations are conducted by the National Auctioneers Association’s Education Institute. Ms. Bryant currently holds real estate licenses in multiple states.
Jeff Hathorn, CAI
Senior Vice President
Jeff Hathorn has worked with J. P. King in the real estate auction business for over 32 years, serving as a Marketing Consultant and as Sales Manager. In 2000, Mr. Hathorn became Senior Vice President of J. P. King.
Mr. Hathorn is an instrumental part in the growth of J. P. King due to his unwavering integrity and dedication to the company and its clients. He has successfully met the expectations of our sellers by assisting in the implementation and development techniques used by J. P. King. Mr. Hathorn has extensive knowledge in all facets of the real estate auction business and has sold properties from coast to coast. As a result, J. P. King has honored him numerous times with the “Marketing Consultant of the Year Award.”
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Mr. Hathorn is one of the leading producers of new business for the company. He has listed many valuable properties such as Camp Creek Ranch in Oregon for $11.7 million, Stray Winds Farm in Pennsylvania for $13.6 million, the Double Diamond Estate in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida for $5.3 million, the Flower Ranch in Colorado for $6.3, the Ridgeway Area Ranch in Colorado for $5.6 million, Eagle Lakes in Washington for $4.5 million, Elk Ridge Estate in Big Sky, Montana for $2.8, Snake Creek Ranch in Nebraska for $5.2 million, Star Harbor in Ft. Lauderdale for $5.59 million, Maison Caribou in Boulder, Colorado for $4.3 million, Gulf County Florida development property for $5.6 million, North Star Farms for $5.2 million, Last Dollar Ranch in Colorado which sold for over $6.2 million and has been quoted by USA Today as “one of the nations most picturesque ranches” and a mullti-property bank sale that consisted of 21 properties in 12 states which exceeded $24 million in sales, among numerous others nationwide. Mr. Hathorn has procured hundreds of J. P. King auction events for properties valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. This impressive list includes a mega-yacht, “Bon Bon”, a 122’ Flagship which sold for $4.95 million.
Mr. Hathorn is a member of the National Auctioneers Association and the Alabama Auctioneers Association. Mr. Hathorn has earned the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) designation from the National Auctioneers Association Education Institute, which is the highest achievement awarded to members of the auction industry. A total of 870 auctioneers worldwide hold the prestigious CAI designation. He holds real estate licenses in several states, and an Auctioneer license in Alabama.
