ERIN WARD
Certified Benefit Auction Specialist
Professional Auctioneer

Erin Ward, CAI, BAS, is a third generation auctioneer from New York. She has been in the auction business her entire life with both her mother, Jill Doherty, 2002 IAC, and grandfather, Jack Doherty.

In 2010, Erin competed for the first time in the International Auctioneers Competition. Standing amongst the best in the world, she placed 7th, and she looks forward to next year's competition. Erin is a recent graduate of CAI, (Certified Auctioneers Institute), the most highly respected education designation in the auction industry, and less than 5% of auctioneers nationwide have achieved CAI status.     

Erin received her Bachelor of Arts in Women's Studies with a focus in Art History from SUNY Purchase, New York. She took advantage of her time in college to study abroad in Spain, Italy, and China.

After graduation Erin attended World Wide Auction School and chose to pursue a career focused on benefit auctions. She is in the charter class to receive her Benefit Auction Specialist degree. Erin continually works with auctioneers from all over the world to learn the most modern and affective ways to increase revenue for fundraising events.

Erin is a diversely trained auctioneer, but specializes solely on benefits. She excels at communicating with people of all cultures and has taken the time to study the most affective ways to help organizations raise money. This includes helping event guests feel confident and excited about donating. “My goal is to make everyone leaving the fundraiser feel like a star!” shares Erin “It’s all about the organization and the guests.”

JILL DOHERTY
Professional Auctioneer

A second generation auctioneer, Jill Doherty has been in the auction business for over thirty years. She worked with her father, Jack Doherty as an apprentice auctioneer until she went to Missouri Auction School. She graduated from Certified Auction Institute in 1997. Jill worked at Doherty Auctioneers conducting multiple auctions. She has sold everything from equipment to real estate. She has conducted thousands of benefit auctions since the 1980’s. She has worked learning the trends of the benefit world and brings her insight to today’s auctions. Jill is a proud member of the New York City Auctioneers Association and the Islip Rotary.

Jill has competed in several auction competitions, and has won in both New York State and New York City. In 2002, Jill won the International Auction Championship, the most prestigious auctioneering award.

Jill has been featured on several television shows including David Letterman, Today in America, Good Morning America, Rolanda, and Rickie Lake. She has worked with an international art group performing auctions at the MoMA as well as in Manchester, England and Basel, Switzerland. Jill also has preformed many auctions in the Virgin Islands.

Today, Jill works with a group of professional auctioneers as part of the Star Benefit Auction team. Joining the company with her daughter Erin gives Jill great pride. She is excited to be part of the only mother-daughter auction team in New York. She loves when they can work together at events. Jill boasts that “it’s great to tag team auction with my daughter. The crowd loves it, and we always raise more money!”

VINCENT ST. GEORGE
Professional Auctioneer
Professional Auction Assistant

Vince has been in the auction industry for over thirty years. He attended the Career Institute for Auctioneers in 1979 after finding his passion in antique auctions. He ran his own antique auction company while also providing auction services for Estates, warehouse events, and benefit auctions. Vince is a past president of the New York City Auctioneers Association, Inc. and was on the Board of Directors for the New York State Auctioneers Association. Vince has been featured on many TV shows including a special on Comedy Central. He has won several awards including NY state and city Auction Champion.

Vince has conducted thousands of auctions. His personal record was an all-day auction where he was auctioning alone and sold over 2,500 lots in one stretch, which grossed in the millions. Today, Vince works for Star Benefit Auctions as a professional auctioneer and an auction assistant. Crowds love his energy and sense of humor. He brings charm and charisma to all auctions. Having Vince part of our auction team takes all auctions to the next level of greatness. To some of his beloved auction followers, Vince is known as Mr. Mustachio, cowboy, or Mr. Monopoly. To us, he is an attribute and a great addition to all our auctions.

GAIL HARRIS
Professional Auction Assistant
Professional Clerk

Gail Harris has been in the auction industry for the past ten years and brings all her knowledge and experience to Star Benefit Auctions. Currently a professor in the English Department at CUNY, Gail has also studied law and and acting. Having traveled the world over, she is now a proud New Yorker and has provided insight to items as well as New York experiences that only a true New Yorker can.

Gail works in the audience encouraging bidding and effectively taking down the required notes of an event. Further, she works with volunteers to make sure all aspects of the auction and event go smoothly. Gail works with Star Benefit Auctions as a professional auction assistant, using her shinning personality to intrigue bidders and instil confidence with the audience as they bid in the live auction. In addition, Gail works as a professional auction recorder, recording winning bidders, prices and even back-up bidders; therefore we can keep track of all active bidders with comprehensive notes about the auction and its attendees. Providing additional eyes and ears for the auctioneer, Gail works to ensure that each event gets stronger and maximizes its potential.

COLLEEN HELWIG
Professional Auction Assistant and Recorder

Colleen is a local to the New York / New Jersey area. She has been around the auction industry her whole life, and she has worked with Star Benefit Auctions for the past five years. Colleen has worked in several fields, but finds her skills as a sales woman are exceptional. Colleen has a BA from Rider University in American Studies. Today one of her favorite past times is sampling local cuisines and wines with her chef / foodie husband Kurt. She has a very extensive knowledge in local food and liquor trends and brings a great knowledge of local hot restaurants and neighborhoods to the table. When she works as an auction assistant she is able to talk with bidders about some packages in great personal depth and encourage additional bidding.

Colleen has helped hundreds of events raise money, and she has organized her own fundraiser for one of her sisters in need. She learned hands-on every detail that goes into putting together a benefit and can offer great solutions to many problems. Colleen is outgoing and loves working in the audience with the bidders. With a bubbly and fun personality, event attendees fall in love with her and feel ease and excitement bidding with her. She is a great recorder and is excellent at capturing the bid numbers of all bidders as well as winning denominations. Colleen helps provide Star Benefit Auctions with a full report after each auction so we can work with the organization to improve future events. With Colleen as extra eyes and ears for the auction team, she makes sure that no bid gets missed and everyone that wants to bid or donate gets a chance. She is a great addition to any auction.