Our Team
Dwight Butler, CES
Principal Broker/Auctioneer
Dwight Butler is a Partner, Broker, and Auctioneer with Americana Real Estate & Auctions, LLC. With over 30 years of experience as a licensed Real Estate Broker & Auctioneer, he has been a multi-million dollar producer across Kentucky, specializing in farms, land, and personal property.
A former Kentucky State Legislator for over 20 years, Dwight leverages his extensive experience to advocate for his clients, ensuring their needs are met in negotiations and planning. Passionate about problem-solving, he treats clients like family.
Education and Certifications include:
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Western Kentucky University – MPA
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Eastern Kentucky University – BBA
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Elizabethtown Community & Technical College – AS
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Mason City College of Auctioneering
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Dale Carnegie Course
Beyond real estate, Dwight has taught Ethics and Public Speaking at ECTC. He enjoys reading in his free time, has been married to Cindy for over 35 years, has four children and three grandchildren, and resides in Campbellsville, KY.
📧 dbutler@americanasells.com
📞 (270) 668-2432
Todd Akridge, CAI, CES
Broker/Auctioneer
Todd Akridge (pronounced "acreage") is a Partner, Broker, and Auctioneer with Americana Real Estate & Auctions, as well as an Associate Real Estate Appraiser with F.A.R.M. Appraisals LLC in Lexington, KY. With over 20 years in real estate, he has conducted auctions nationwide, specializing in farms, land, equine properties, timber, and luxury homes.
Raised on a beef cattle and burley tobacco farm, Todd’s deep agricultural background enhances his expertise in real estate. He has also worked as a crop adjuster and consultant for Fortune 500 insurance companies and banks, supporting American farmers across the South and Midwest.
Affiliations & Credentials:
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Campbellsville University – Alumni
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National & Kentucky Auctioneers Associations – Member
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Certified Estate Specialist (CES) – NAA
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Crop Adjuster Proficiency Program (CAPP) Graduate
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Master Cattleman – University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
Todd enjoys hiking, kayaking, & spending time on his family farm with his wife, Danielle, and their coonhound, Delilah.
📧 takridge@americanasells.com
📞 (270) 668-3047
Aaron Haycraft
Principal Auctioneer
Aaron Haycraft is an Auctioneer with Americana Real Estate & Auctions, bringing 20 years of experience both on-site and behind the scenes. His energetic style keeps crowds engaged, ensuring the best outcomes for buyers and sellers. Specializing in auctions for machinery, estates, farms, homes, businesses, livestock, and land, he is a multi-million dollar producer across Kentucky.
Raised on a beef cattle farm in Grayson County, Aaron has nearly 30 years of experience in livestock markets, giving him deep industry knowledge. He is passionate about supporting youth organizations and conducting benefit auctions for charities and families in need.
Married for 25 years, Aaron has three children.
📧 ahaycraft@americanasells.com
📞 (270) 589-1236
Eric Vertrees
Sales Associate
Eric Vertrees is newer to real estate but has decades of experience working with people. Raised on a family farm, he continues to manage part of it today. A seasoned entertainer, he has spent 43 years in Christian music, performing across the Eastern U.S., and has been a member of the Heart of Kentucky Men’s Chorus since 2016.
Eric holds an Associate Degree in Business Management from Elizabethtown Community College and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Midway University. He has served on various boards, including 18 years on the Breckinridge Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, where he was once Chairman. Currently, he is Vice President of the Kentucky State Gospel Singing Convention and will assume the presidency next year.
He is also the Emergency Management Director for Breckinridge County, KY. In his free time, he enjoys golf, hunting, and fishing. Married for 37 years, he has two sons.
📧 ericv@americanasells.com | ericvertrees@gmail.com
📞 (270) 536-3334
Joseph Riggs
Apprentice Auctioneer
Joseph Riggs is an Auctioneer with extensive experience in land, farm, residential, and charity auctions across Kentucky. His background as a singer, entertainer, and event emcee makes him a natural at engaging auction attendees.
Active in his community, Joseph is a member of the Heart of Kentucky Men’s Chorus, the Leitchfield and Upton Masonic Lodges, and serves as an Advisor to the Twin Lakes Demolay. He is a graduate of Central Hardin High School and Western Kentucky University.
In addition to his work with Americana Real Estate & Auctions, Joseph is an Environmental Supervisor for Lincoln Trail District Health Department. He enjoys fishing, hunting, and the outdoors.
📧 jriggs@americanasells.com
📞 (270) 766-8627
Jim Gooch
Sales Associate
Jim Gooch brings 40 years of experience in Insurance, Real Estate Sales, and Investing.
Raised in rural western Kentucky, he has long supported agriculture, coal, oil, and natural gas. His civic involvement led to a passion for politics, serving on local boards and as president of the Chamber of Commerce and Providence Jaycees. In 1990, he was named Providence Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.
Jim’s political career began at age 30 as Mayor of Providence. He later served two terms on the City Council and is now in his 30th year as 12th District State Representative, chairing the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee since 1999.
📧 jgooch@americanasells.com
📞 (270) 635-0510
Lisa Saunders
Appraiser/Sales Associate
Lisa Saunders is a Licensed Sales Associate with Americana Real Estate & Auctions and an agent on the Real-X mineral and solar exchange platform. Originally from West Virginia, she is the granddaughter of a Hungarian coal miner & developed a deep appreciation for the land through her family’s connections to coal country and nature.
Lisa’s background includes showing American Saddlebreds, with her daughters later competing in Kentucky circuits. Lisa earned a degree in Agricultural Business from The Ohio State University and gained extensive land appraisal experience as a USDA-Farm Service Agency loan officer. Her appraisal expertise spans farm estates, equestrian estates, conservation easements, rural residential properties, and eminent domain cases.
After 30 years in land appraisal, Lisa became a Licensed Sales Associate in 2018, specializing in land, equestrian properties, and farms. She provides expert guidance on land issues and ensures clients’ best interests are met.
A portion of her sales proceeds supports local animal rescue efforts.
📧 lisa@americanasells.com
📞 (859) 338-4690
Hunter Ashley
Sales Associate/Auctioneer
Hunter Ashley is an Apprentice Auctioneer with Americana Real Estate & Auctions, specializing in farm and industrial machine auctions. A 2020 graduate of the Kentucky Auction Academy and 2021 graduate of Elizabethtown Community & Technical College with a Mechanical Degree, his technical expertise is invaluable to the auction industry.
Earlier in his life, Hunter gained experience by volunteering at charitable auctions in Central Kentucky. He has earned multiple FFA Auctioneer Competition awards, including 1st place at WKU (2018) and Murray State (2019).
Passionate about the auction industry, he looks forward to continue building connections and serving clients. Residing in Mammoth Cave, KY, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and the outdoors.
📧 hashley@americanasells.com
📞 (270) 320-6017
Ashlynn Pawley
Sales Associate
Ashlynn Pawley is a seasoned REALTOR® with over five years of experience in Kentucky real estate.
Passionate about real estate, Ashlynn excels in property valuation, market trends, and negotiation, making her a trusted guide for buyers, sellers, and investors. Her strong work ethic, professionalism, and client-focused approach have earned her a stellar reputation.
Committed to staying ahead of industry trends, Ashlynn leverages Americana’s extensive resources to provide top-tier service. She is also deeply involved in her community, valuing personal connections and helping clients find their perfect homes.
📧 Ashlynn.Americana@gmail.com
📞 (270) 287-8531