Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals Puts Quality Above All Else

• Business Name: Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals
• Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals has been named the Northwest regional finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's America’s Top Small Business Awards.

In 2018, Dan Newman left a decade-long career in television and media advertising to found auctioning service Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals (APAA). Since then, the company has earned a reputation as a top auction house in Alaska, with a 98% sell-through rate serving clients across over 40 countries.

APAA has carved out a niche in the market that emphasizes quality, professionalism, discretion, and compassion as it facilitates the auction of assets ranging from personal belongings to real estate and commercial equipment. The company also focuses heavily on philanthropy and has raised over $3 million for various Alaskan nonprofit organizations through live and online auctions. Local benefactors include the American Cancer Society Alaska, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Alaska Public Media, Boys & Girls Club Alaska, Anchorage Museum, Anchorage Public Library, and Anchorage Senior Activity Center.

The firm employs 45 people, most of whom are full-time Alaska residents, at its 44,000-square-foot warehouse located in the heart of Anchorage. Under the guidance of Newman and his business partners Nick Cline and Abigail McLagan, APAA has garnered numerous accolades, including the Alaska Business Magazine 2023 Best Auction House award and the 2021 Alaska Small Business of the Year award by BBB, showcasing its commitment to ethical service and business excellence.

3 things that made Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals a finalist for America's Top Small Business:

It provides high-quality support to local community members through transitional phases in life

In Alaska's relatively isolated economy, Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals (APAA) stands as a pillar of support for the community during pivotal life transitions, including estate sales, divorce, business closures or downsizing, out-of-state moves, or “whatever else life throws at you,” as APAA says. The company’s approach is tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, alleviating stress and ensuring items are presented in the most professional light.

APAA has orchestrated the sale of over 100,000 items and $28 million in assets for a wide spectrum of local and international clients, from high-profile corporations and banking institutions to nonprofit organizations and local community members. In doing so, it has filled a substantial gap in the market, providing professional services characterized by respect and quality, and consistently raising the bar in every facet of its operations.

The company’s conscious decision to remain local extends beyond mere business operations; it actively engages with the community by supporting new local businesses, fostering relationships with local vendors, and reducing its overall carbon footprint by encouraging local sales.

It is committed to diversity, ethics, and integrity

Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals operates within a culture of diversity, ethics, and integrity, aiming to represent Alaska's rich and diverse cultural tapestry. The company prides itself on a workforce that mirrors the Alaska Native tribes and other communities that constitute nearly half of the state's population. This commitment to diversity is demonstrated through APAA’s respect for cultural sensitivity, especially when it comes to correctly representing the unique assets it handles.

APAA's Founder, CEO, and Principal Auctioneer Dan Newman, who identifies as a Black and Hispanic American, is among the less than 1% of Minority Benefit Auctioneers in the country and holds the prestigious Benefit Auctioneer Specialist designation from the National Auction Association (NAA). This year, the company is furthering its commitment to diversity by sending its Chief Innovation Officer and first Korean-American auctioneer in the United States, Jen Motyka, to earn the same designation at the Benefit Auction Summit.

Through its commitment to its values, APAA not only cultivates an inclusive and nurturing work environment for its internal team but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of diverse individuals who may wish to carve out a career in the auctioning industry.

Its leaders embody the motto ‘service above self’

Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals believes in “service above self,” and its leaders clearly demonstrate this through their community involvement. Newman serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and Club President of Anchorage South Rotary. He is also on the Choose Anchorage Advisory Committee and is the Ambassador for Alaska in the NAA. Through these roles, Newman has positioned himself and, by extension, the company, as a key player in the economic and community development of the region.

Other APAA team members contribute to the community through positions in diverse local and national organizations, showcasing a broad spectrum of engagement and making the company a reliable presence in the industry. The company’s outreach includes supporting other small businesses through social media, organizing benefit auctions, and initiating donation drives during the holidays with organizations like the Food Bank of Alaska and Toys For Tots. These efforts are aligned with the company’s mission, which is to provide assistance beyond business transactions and to actively help others realize their dreams.

By adhering to its core values of honesty, ambition, and relationship-building, APAA promotes a culture that attracts like-minded individuals who are ready to serve the community with integrity and enthusiasm.

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