Dean Kruse

Background

Kruse started working in the local auction business founded by his father, Russell W. Kruse, and soon became the company"s president

Career

He is also the former owner and Chief Executive Officer of Kruse International. Kruse is a former Indiana State Senator, serving from 1966 to 1970, and was elected at the age of 25. Dean was responsible for negotiating the purchase of his auction company in 1999 by online auctioneer eBay which paid $275 million for Kruse International and Billpoint.

The company was purchased back from eBay by Dean Kruse in 2002.

Kruse used part of the money he received from eBay to start two museums in Auburn. The World World War II Victory Museum and the Kruse Automotive Horse Power and Carriage Museum.

On May 25, 2010, the Indiana Auctioneer Commission suspended Kruse"s auctioneer"s license for two years and permanently revoked the license of his company, Kruse, Incorporated., after receiving complaints that he had been failing to pay those who sold items through his auctions.

Achievements

• A 1957 graduate of the Reppert School of Auctioneering in Decatur, Indiana, Kruse cried his 5,000th auction in Houston in 1987, and is reportedly one of the youngest men to even attain that goal.

Membership

Known to many as the "Dean of Auctioneers," Kruse was once a well-respected member of the collector car hobby.