February 26, 2025

By Lane Kimble

The final item–a gorgeous 14-karat white gold necklace–went for a lot of money.

$11,000, to be exact.

Still, it looked like it wouldn’t quite be enough to push the 2025 WTBA/TEF Scholarship Auction beyond last year’s record setting amount of $275,000.

Then came the last-minute addition from County Materials and a no-hesitation purchase by Musson Brothers, elevating the total to $276,000.

Hello, new record setter.

“I didn’t want to set a goal and make anyone feel like they had to participate,” Past President Brian Endres said.

“I feel the beauty of this organization is how organic it is.  People want to support good causes.  Even without setting a higher goal, people took it upon themselves to beat it and that really means a lot.”

Held every year during the WTBA Annual Convention, money raised at the auction supports the WTBA Scholarship Program and the Transportation Education Fund (TEF).

TEF, in turn, promotes the importance of sustainable funding and members’ work statewide all throughout the year through school outreach, public relations, roundtables with key stakeholders and much more.

Goal or no goal, the auction became an instant highlight for Endres in a week filled with a lot of fun.

“The true nature of this organization came through,” Endres said.