InTouch with Southern Kentucky January 2020 | Page 21

and got mesmerized by it,” says
Sam. “Once I got out of the Army, I
became a full-time auctioneer.”
“Sam caught the ‘bug’ early by
witnessing auctions in the area,”
adds Danny. “Deciding there was an
opportunity, he took the plunge and
opened his own company.”
Danny is the same Danny Ford
who is a former state representa-
tive from the 80th district of Ken-
tucky’s House of Representatives
(Pulaski, Lincoln, and Rockcastle
Counties). He still remains as the
longest-standing Republican in the
House, serving from 1982 to 2012.
“I started helping him with his
auctions,” Danny says. “I would
unload furniture and organize items
like pots and pans.”
Danny too would become a
licensed auctioneer in 1968 and
began working full-time at Ford
Brothers not long after. Presently,
the business is recognized through-
out the Commonwealth and seven
other states.
Ford Brothers specialize in real
estate, commercial and residen-
tial property, estates, farms, and
personal property. The brothers
estimate they have done well over
15,000 auctions during the lifespan
of their family business.
“It has grown beyond our expecta-
tions,” Danny says. “We have been
fortunate.”
Ford Brothers have offices in Som-
erset, Mount Vernon, London, and
Richmond. Somerset is the home for
the Ford Brothers Auction Center,
3375 E. Hwy. 80. Additionally, it is
the locale for Weichert Realtors
Ford Brothers (Weichert Realtors),
406 S. Hwy. 27.
Sam and Danny’s sons (Devin and
Matt respectively) are now principal
auctioneers and brokers just like
their fathers in the profession. As
you would expect, they both began
working in the family business at an
early age.
“We were pretty involved as kids
and helped out wherever we were
needed,” says Matt. “We sold pop-
corn, set up tents and chairs, and
held up items at auctions.”
Both would go on to get their auc-
tioneer and realtor licenses. Matt is
the owner and broker of Weichert
J anuary 2020
Realtors in Somerset, while Devin is
for the London office.
They affiliated the family business
with Weichert Realty national net-
works in 2013. Though they spend
a majority of their time managing
agents, both still continue being
auctioneers alongside their fathers.
“It (Weichert Realty) gives our
agents more resources and expo-
sure for our properties,” Matt says.
“Internet marketing is unbeliev-
able.”
“It has been a good move for us,”
adds Sam. “We can do more now
than we did as an independent
agency.”
Devin and Matt also wanted to ex-
pand the family business in auction-
eering. They convinced their fathers
to begin offering online auctions.
“I’m from the old-school and was
hesitant,” Sam says.” I thought peo-
ple like to see and touch it before
bidding. But we do as many, if not
more, online auctions now than we
do onsite.”
However, Devin and Matt are not
the only Ford family members asso-
ciated with the company. Through-
out the years, other children,
spouses, and even grandchildren
have pitched in helping sustain Ford
Brothers.
“We truly are a family business,”
Danny says. “It’s amazing to be able
to work with your children and
grandchildren while watching them
grow in the business and take an
interest in it.”
“We love working together,” adds
Sam. “But we can be tougher on our
family members because we expect
more from them.”
The Ford family wishes to express
appreciation to all its customers
throughout the years. The brothers
share that this region has been gra-
cious to their business.
“I never dreamed we would grow
as we have,” Sam says. “We’ve really
been blessed.”
“Our parents taught us if you
take care of your customers, your
customers will take care of you,”
he continues. “We have sold to
third-generation families in this
area.”
Cumberland
Lake, Inc.
“Working together for
a better community.”
P.O. Box 430
150 Railroad Drive
Somerset, KY 42502
Offi ce: 606-679-6316
Fax: [phone]
I n T ouch with S outhern K entucky • 21