Meet the K-BID Team




Chris Schwartz

President


  • Favorite Season: Fall
  • Favorite Hobby: Golfing
  • What I take in My Coffee: More Coffee

“I grew up on a farm near Plato, MN, where I learned the value of hard work and developed a love for the outdoors. Although I grew up attending auctions, I didn't take a traditional route into the industry. After graduating from college during a financial crisis with a fresh finance degree, a massive newspaper advertisement about online auctions piqued my interest. Soon after, I found myself working at K-BID.

My wife and I reside in Wayzata, MN with our two daughters. We love spending time together as a family, especially when we're outdoors, golfing, camping, or just playing in the yard. With a background in finance and marketing, I've been with K-BID since 2010. It's been rewarding to contribute to K-BID's growth and success in the online auction industry, and I'm passionate about connecting buyers and sellers to create great auction experiences.”

Becky Farniok

Executive Vice President


  • Fun Fact: My husband and I began dating in 9th Grade
  • Celebrity Crush: Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds)
  • Wish I Could: Sing (and look!) like Carrie Underwood

“I have four adult children and live in Delano with my husband and daughter. My educational background is in financial and systems analysis and I began working for K-BID in 2003. I’m a true golden gopher football fan. I enjoy travelling, coaching Special Olympics and reading murder mysteries --- my favorite thing to do is spend time with family and friends."

Jeremy Delgado

Director of Marketing


  • Favorite Season: Summer
  • Favorite Hobby: Tennis
  • Wish I could: Fly like Superman so I could visit anywhere in the world at any moment I please and not have to worry about flight delays :-)

As Director Marketing, with over a decade of experience in marketing and a strong focus on digital, Jeremy helps companies navigate the digital websphere by auditing, analyzing, reporting and creating digital opportunities to help increase awareness, visibility and generate more leads online.Jeremy graduated from Augustana College with degrees in both finance and marketing. Upon graduation, he noticed the power of Search Engine Marketing, and therefore learned Search Engine Marketing by reading industry books and blogs from digital experts.
SPECIALTIES:
PPC Management
SEO Search Engine Optimization
Digital Marketing Strategy
Web Analytics & Reporting
Local Search Optimization

Leslie Schwankl

Office Manager/Titles/NICS


  • Favorite Season: Fall
  • Favorite Personality Trait: Sense of Humor
  • Dream Destination: United Kingdom

“I grew up in Delano, am married and have 2 daughters. I like to keep my life simple, but enjoy traveling, going on motorcycle rides with my husband, reading and hunting for deals. I’ve been with K-BID since 2019 working with titled assets.”

Jon Wurtzler

Senior Dev.


  • Favorite Season: Fall
  • Favorite Hobby: Writing (Fiction)
  • Fun Fact: Wish I could: Speak / Understand every language. This includes coding languages.

I grew up in norther ND on a farm and graduated HS with a class of 11 if you can believe that. I got my MIS (Managment Information Systems) degree from Concordia College in Moorhead MN (Go Cobbers!). I'm married with two amazing girls that keep me on my toes. I've got a lot of experience working in the web world, mainly for SAAS companies, so not afraid to work with clients when the need arises. I'm a geek of many colors, so if there is something you geek out about, let me know.

Tyler Jaeger

Affiliate Network Manager


  • Favorite Season: Spring
  • Favorite Hobby: Golfing
  • What I take in My Coffee: Coffee is best with nothing

I grew up in Plymouth, MN, when there were still a lot of corn fields. I've always had an interest in secondhand goods and will almost always opt for secondhand if available.  After graduating college, I knew I belonged in tech. I've worked for several fast-growing companies in the Minneapolis metro & love helping clients succeed with technology.

Susie Wagner

Creative & Social Media Manager


  • Favorite Season: Fall
  • Favorite Activity: Watercolor and Sketching
  • Fun Fact: Restored vintage furniture as a side-hustle while raising little ones.

Susie brings a diverse skill set to the marketing team. With over 20 years of experience in design and communications, she holds a degree in Advertising Art and Psychology Pre-Counseling.

A lifelong Minnesotan, Susie grew up on a farm in Central Minnesota. She currently lives in Greenfield, MN, with her husband, two of her three children, a golden retriever, a cat, and chickens. Her adult son serves in the Air Force and is stationed in Charleston, SC.

In addition to her marketing expertise, Susie is a certified and experienced yoga instructor who teaches part-time. She enjoys traveling with her family, all things art, music festivals, gardening, and spending time in nature.

Raymond Caruso

CEO


  • Dream Vehicle: 1965 Mustang or a 1954 Thunderbird
  • What I take in my coffee: Embarrassing Amounts of Cream and Stevia

“I am married and we have a 24-old daughter. I started with K-BID in 2003. I have a background in multi-unit retail management and IT.”