Chance Martin – Owner/ Fieldman / Auctioneer: 403-358-0456
Chance brings almost 30 years of marketing and auctioning experience throughout Alberta. Starting in Red Deer in 1993 he has also auctioned at Stettler, Veteran, and Canadian Satellite and for the past 19 years at Ponoka, in this time there he worked with many of the top independent market operators in the province.
Chance has been crowned the 2005 Western Region World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, 2007 International Livestock Auctioneer Champion and the 2009 Canadian Livestock Auctioneer Champion.
Chance, Trina and their four children ran a cow calf and yearling operation east of Red Deer, but in 2018 relocated to call Thorsby their home.
Jeff Fritz - Owner/ Fieldman / Manager: 780-203-4953
Jeff has always had an interest with auction markets. As a toddler, he went to his first auction sale and spent many days thereafter at different markets with his Grandpa who was a cattle buyer. He grew up involved with the agricultural industry, starting with 4-H, then owing his own herd of purebred cattle.
He had started working for Sekura Auctions Ltd. in Drayton Valley, Alberta in his school age years, returning in 2002 as a field representative for several years. In 2008 Jeff started a company as a cattle buyer, which continues.
Early in 2013, Jeff started managing Sekura Livestock Ltd. in Rimbey until it was sold in 2015.
Jeff then pursued his own goals, and with his experience and knowledge, he was ecstatic to co-found Thorsby Stockyards Inc. with partners Chance & Corey in May 2015.
Jeff has a farm outside of Thorsby. He is a father to three busy boys and a husband to his wife Trina. His children are involved with hockey, soccer and lacrosse, which keeps the family busy in their time away from work.
Jeff enjoys working with his own cattle, horseback riding, camping and spending time at the lake.
Corey Lawrence - Owner / Fieldman /Auctioneer: 780-940-6301
Corey Lawrence was born and raised on a farm in Genesee, AB near the Warburg/Thorsby area. While he attended Warburg School until his graduation in 1991, Corey was also extremely active and successful in 4-H for 10 years, being the recipient of several Grand Champion Steer Awards.
After completing his education, Corey began auctioneering at farm, household, and estate sales. He also sold for the Thorsby Auction Mart for 15 years and in addition worked many purebred cattle sales while still helping on the family farm.
Starting in 1995, Corey travelled between Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and Vancouver for Adesa Auto Auctions’ dealer sales. Corey continues to work for this same company and is actively involved with the auto industry. The year 2000 was a milestone in Corey’s life, as this was the year that his talent was recognized when he was awarded the Canadian Livestock Market Auctioneer Champion and the Reserve Champion International Livestock Auctioneer Titles. Corey married his long-time girlfriend, Tracy Mudry in August 2000. They purchased their own farm in the Genesee area where they and their three daughters continue to reside.
Being an active partner in the Thorsby Stockyards Inc., Corey loves working and visiting with you all. Corey is an extremely friendly individual who enjoys meeting new people and conversing with everyone!
Mack Vars - Field Man: 780-940-2899 TEAM Representative
Mack Vars has worked in the cattle industry for 44 years. He also worked for some of the oldest and largest cattle markets including Edmonton and Calgary Stockyards, Nilsson Bros. out of Clyde and Vermillion and Sekura Auctions out of Drayton Valley, Rimbey and Westlock.
As well as listing cattle for Internet Auctions via Team Auctions. Mack is our TEAM auctions representative please call him with any questions.
He now enjoys working with Jeff, Chance and Corey at Thorsby Stockyards Inc. to handle all your livestock needs, whether buying or selling.
Ron Kramer - Field Man: 250-793-2713
Northern Alberta, B.C
Shane Buksa – Fieldman 780-999-5358 HORSE Sale Representative
Shane has been part of the cattle industry for many years. From sorting to selling he has experience in all areas. Growing up in the Genesee area and managing his own cow/calf and feeder operation he also works the ring at TSI weekly. He also has a great deal of experience with horses and horse markets.
Chance Thomson: Fieldman 780-898-9962
Chance joined the Stockyards team in the fall of 2018. He is the newest fieldman to the team and looks forward to getting to know the producers in the area. Growing up in the cattle industry and managing his own cow/calf operation gives him a great deal of experience, he also loves getting to know producers. Give him a call if you would like to have him come for a visit.
Nathan Swap: Sorter / Fieldman 780-898-0992
Nathan brings 15 years of working in various markets.
He spends the busy time at the market and spring at home working along side his dad in their own cow/calf operation. Nathan is another new member to the fieldman TSI team and loves getting to know producers.
Amanda Thomson - Office Manager: 780-789-3915
Amanda brings almost 15 years of auction market experience both in working the back, as well as the front of markets. She was raised on a cattle farm, spent ten years in 4-H beef winning numerous awards and growing up in the agriculture industry, has given Amanda excellent knowledge of all aspects of the mart.
Graduating in 2005 from Breton High School she is a member of the community along with her husband Chance and their 3 young kids they raise and race thoroughbred chuckwagon horses during the summer near Carnwood, Alberta. They also have an active cow calf operation.
Amanda also graduated from Olds College in 2006 with a Certificate in Meat Processing.
She has been with the market since the start and thoroughly loves the producers / buyers in the area as is looking forward to building more one on one relationships with customers.