Team Biographies
John Cardoza, CAI BAS, CES, CAGA-Auctioneer/Owner - started his career as an auctioneer by graduating from the Missouri Auction School in 1984. Having a speech impediment and taking 5 years of special speech in grade school made becoming an auctioneer a huge challenge. In the course of his career, John has earned his CAI, (Certified Auctioneer’s Institute) one of less than 20 auctioneers in the State of California. John also graduated from the Charter class for his BAS (Benefit Auction Specialist), received his CES (Certified Estate Specialist) and is a Certified Appraiser with CAGA (Certified Appraiser Guild of America).
John has conducted thousands of auctions including Storage, Abandonment, Benefit, Estate, Bankruptcy, Antique, Government, and Business Liquidations. He lived on Princess, Norwegian, and Crystal Cruise Lines conducting art auctions.
When he is not working with auctions, John enjoys motorcycle riding, Dancing, and cruises. He met his love, Donna on Match.Com 10 years ago and the rest is history. John has a daughter, Melodee, his son-in-law Caleb, and his granddaughter Autumn.
Donna Cardoza, Owner - recently retired after twenty five years as a 9-1-1 Police and Fire Emergency Services Dispatcher for the City of Turlock. If that wasn’t stressful enough, she is now involved in the day to day operations of Storage Auction Experts. Sometimes you might even see Donna at the auctions!
John shocked everyone (especially Donna) by proposing to her while conducting the auction for the annual Turlock Police Department Christmas party (how appropriate) in 2006. Donna was widowed in 1999 and has two daughters, Christina and Stephanie.
Christina is married to Jason and is a Store Manager for a major baby retail store. Her husband Jason is a counselor and he likes Chevy Impalas and the Oakland Raiders. Donna’s other daughter Stephanie recently graduated from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. Her husband Tarek works part time as a server while attending college working towards his Business degree.
While not at auctions Donna enjoys reading, jewelry making, baking and travelling and spending time with her girlfriends. She loves her animals and likes to become involved in her community towards a good cause.
Ryan David, BAS, CES - Auctioneer - while working with John the past 15 years, we have conducted many types of auctions together: estates, farm, charities, and fundraisers. In those years, we have had a great working and personal relationship. I have learned many things from him. Most importantly, that if we stay honest and true to the managers and the buyers, one day it will all pay off. For me, that comes everyday that I auction. I grew up in the auction business. As a child, I dreamed of being an auctioneer, so everyday I auction, I am living out my childhood dream.
I have been lucky enough to be married for eighteen years to my very patient and understanding wife, Katrina. We were blessed with our first child, Dinavia, fifteen years ago. She enjoys playing snare drum in the high school band, and being a part of FFA. We consider her to be a wonderful daughter! My first son, Ryan Jr., came along five years later, and our little family started getting bigger. When Hudson came along, two years ago, not only was our family getting bigger, it was getting better. Just when we thought it could not get any better, the stork brought us twin baby boys, Tucker and Parker on 7/7/11. We realized then that our little family was no longer little and that we had become the David tribe. Last, but definitely not least, I am lucky enough to enjoy the company of my mom, June, who not only is the best nanny in the world, but also, I could not ask for a better clerk at my auctions. So please, if you see me at an auction, feel free to ask me to see pictures. As a proud father, I always love to talk about my children.
Steven Williams, BS - Auctioneer - Auctioning is my Passion! Born and basically raised in Texas, I naturally saw a lot of auctions/sales. Seeing the excitement at those auction sales generated a spark in me! I graduated from Missouri Auction School in 1990 and obtained my first auctioneer license. Being a black auctioneer in Missouri (1 of 12 registered in U.S.) was a great experience for me. My wife and our 3 children opened our own auction house in Jefferson City, Missouri. After a few years in business, we had to close our doors due to the local economy and I had to get a 'real' job! With my bachelors degree I obtained a teaching position at Missouri State Penitentiary and taught Inmates how to pass their GED for 5 years. Also working as a supervisor for U.P.S and Peak Bail Bonds for a total of 10 years still did not put out the 'Passion'!
Relocating to California has been a blessing! John and Donna Cardoza and their Auction team have taken us under their wing. Working with Storage Auction Experts is a privilege and an honor. My wife, Debra and I deeply appreciate the integrity and sincerity of this company! Storage Auction Experts have made my 'passion' a reality and now I am living my dream.
Craig Plante, BS - Auctioneer - has been with Storage Auction Experts for almost one year now. This past summer, he obtained his license to do DMV paperwork for auto liens and is operating that business under SAE Lien Service. Prior to joining the team, Craig worked at Modesto Police Department for 27 years. During that time he rose to the rank of Sergeant and worked in Operations, Investigations and was a member of the SWAT team. In 2005 he won the department's highest award, the Medal of Honor. Just before leaving MPD, Craig “cracked” a 9 year old, cold case murder. Craig was able to get the murderer to both confess and to reveal the long hidden body of the victim.
Craig is usually seen with his beautiful wife, Elena. Together they have three children; Steve, a Stanislaus County Deputy (who proudly wears the Medal of Valor), Michele, a Community Service Officer for Ceres Police, and Jennifer, the adventurous one who moved to New York without ever seeing the city! Steve has a new wife Kristin. Michele has been married to Cliff for a few years now and has a daughter Paige and a new baby boy Ace. Jennifer lives with her boyfriend Matt who is an independent film maker.
Melodee Cluster, Customer Service Manager - Is your Customer service manager via e-mail; and John Cardoza’s daughter. She was raised with a healthy amount of positive auction exposure. Melodee is happily married to Caleb Cluster, and they have a little girl named Autumn. Melodee is pursuing her bachelor’s in Speech Communication and Caleb is pursuing his bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. In addition to working for Storage Auction Experts, Melodee may be found attending classes full time, enjoying her family, or spending time with friends. Melodee is also a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, reveling in assisting women with their skin care and cosmetic needs. Melodee and Caleb have multiple hobbies, and enjoy doing just about anything exciting; travel, shopping, rock climbing, camping and many other active pastimes.
Francine Simbalenko, Office Manager - Francine Simbalenko has recently joined our team to experience an exciting and fun occupation. She recently resigned from 9 years of law enforcement work to be a stay at home mom. Francine graduated from CSU Stanislaus in 2005, receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. While attending college she worked at Turlock Police Department in their Records Department. She then graduated and decided to work at CSU Stanislaus as a 911 Dispatcher. Francine also is an Independent Distributor for Monavie, building teams of individuals to improve their health and financial status. She also plays a vital role at her church as a Sunday School Leader. Francine is happily married to her husband of 6 years, and has 1 son that is 14 months old, and two female black labs. In her spare time you will find Francine working out, (Pilates, TRX, running, gym), baking, cooking, planning parties, hanging out with friends, and most important making her family a priority.
Steve Craig, Web Designer - Is our creative director for advertising and the web. Working with John for close to ten years now. Steve been designing for print since 1991 starting at Kinko's, then moving on to have worked at other print shops, manufacturers and publishing companies.
His web skills go back to the beginning with Adobe Pagemill then Dreamweaver, until he discovered the only way to build a site was by hand coding the entire site. He now builds all sites in code, using HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP and Flash with a emphasis on SEO (Search Engine Optimization). John was one of his first web clients and was very patient with Steve in allowing him to learn the trade. Since Steve has taken over John's web site, it has seen two major overhauls and several back-end updates.
Steve is married to Barbara, and together they raise her two beautiful girls. They enjoy family vacation, biking and Steve is slowly building a 1957 Ford F-100 hot rod.
Did you know, John Cardoza, CAI, BAS, CES, has been doing Benefit Auctions (also called fund-raising and/or charity auctions) since 1984. John Cardoza and Ryan David are certified by the National Auctioneer Association as a Benefit Auctioneer and attended the charter class for this certification.