Murray McCandless has been an auctioneer since 2005, but he is also an avid auction attendee. The thrill of the competition feeds his competitive nature and the excitement of winning an item is like no other experience! Murray entered the auction industry during a successful pastoral ministry career, from which he retired in 2011, and has now devoted his full time vocation to Benefit Auctions. Having served 5 churches over a 23-year career gives Murray a unique perspective on nonprofit fundraising. His passion for nonprofits and charitable organizations is evident in his consulting and onstage performance. His commanding presence, his warm, energetic and engaging style has won accolades from every group with whom he has worked.
After producing and presenting some 1200 sermons and innumerable newsletter articles, one can imagine that Murray is a prolific writer and speaker. He continues to enjoy writing articles that bring real life experiences into focus, highlighting ideas and experiences that bring increased success to groups in their quest to achieve greater revenue enhancement in their fundraising efforts.
After graduating from high school in 1981, Murray attended Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in German Language/Literature and a minor in Vocal Performance. From there, he attended seminary in Louisville, KY earing a Master of Divinity (MDiv) in 1990 with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling. In 2005, Murray attended the World Wide College of Auctioneering. Since then, Murray has acquired the prestigious BAS (Benefit Auctioneer Specialist) designation from the National Auctioneers Association. NOTE: Of the estimated 30,000 auctioneers in the US, less than 200 *two hundred* have acquired this designation. An annual trek finds Murray in different locations around the US attending the Benefit Auctioneers Summit where continuing education and skill sharpening is the order of the three day event.
Murray has also received training as a Certified Estate Specialist, (CES) an additional designation from the NAA. Murray has found that his pastoral background has given him valuable insights into the specialized field of assisting clients with the sensitive nature of resolving the estate of a loved one.
“On a More Personal Note”
Degrees and designations only tell part of the story. As Paul Harvey would say, “And now, the REST of the story…” One aspect that sets Murray apart from others is his physical appearance. He has worn a full beard/moustache since he was 16. Murray confesses it was not quite as full and it was certainly not white back then, but, in his own teenage defense, it all connected and there were no bare spots. Murray tells the story that at age 12, a popular television program was “Grizzly Adams,” the story of a 
good hearted mountain man and lover of nature. A desire to look like Grizzly took hold of Murray with such force that he began shaving at the age of 12. “Not that there was anything there to shave,” Murray admits, but believing the old wives’ tale that it will grow back thicker if you shave it, he took his dad’s razor and shaved. At the ripe old age of 16, he stopped shaving and hasn’t been the same since.
That beard has helped make him more memorable to people and now, with his facial follicles turning white of their own accord, Murray has discovered another way to impact people’s lives. During the Christmas season, Murray dons a variety of red, white and brightly colored costumes appearing as jolly old St. Nicholas. He has even auctioned off visits with Santa for nonprofit groups.
Murray believes that people are like onions. To get to know them, you have to peel back one layer at a time and sometimes there are a few tears involved. Murray makes a special effort to get to know people and their passions in order to serve more effectively as a Fundraising Consultant and Benefit Auctioneer.