Minnesota State Auctioneer’s Association Conference took place Jan. 23 to 27 in Bloomington, Minn.

During the five-day event, Auctioneer Ray Henry of I.R.A.Y. Auction received multiple awards such as first place for auction clothing as well as first and second place awards for various auction flyers.

Henry spent time this past summer at the World Championship Auctioneer College in California where he placed among the top five bid callers in the state.

The most meaningful first place win was for a photo of Ray and Cheryl Henry’s young son, Maurice. Maurice was named after his great-grandfather who started the family in the auction business in 1943.

Ray and Cheryl founded I.R.A.Y. Auction in 2000 and they have developed the business with a focus on heavy equipment and real estate auctions.

Ray attributed the company’s continued growth to Cheryl and his belief in personal advancement and community involvement.

Ray volunteers as a member of the board of directors of the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association and I.R.A.Y. Auction donates services for numerous fundraising auctions to benefit local charities and struggling families.

One example of that is an upcoming benefit auction at Mr. Jim’s in Foley, Minn., Feb. 22, which will raise funds for the first Foley-area Habitat for Humanity home.

For more information, call 877/968-7230 or visit www.iraymn.com.