About Us

About Us

Gavel Roads is the place to go to buy and sell equipment. We are an online auction designed to provide the easiest way for buyers to find what they are looking for and sellers to move equipment in the marketplace. Born and raised from our sister company, Gene Francis & Associates, our staff has obtained over 100 years of combined live auction experience. Gavel Roads has brought our live auction experience to online users and expanded to included everything from real estate, construction equipment, farm machinery, sporting goods, classic cars, and much more. At Gavel Roads, we know auctions.

Tyler Francis

With over 20 years of experience in the auction industry, Tyler has focused his attention on a career in the heavy highway and road construction industry while significantly participating in his family’s business, Gene Francis & Associates. Tyler started his career in the construction industry after obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Kansas State. Tyler graduated from Missouri Auction School in 1994 and has been a licensed real estate agent for over 15 years. A few of the strengths Tyler has developed in his career include working within teams to develop growth, consulting with State DOT’s, County, and City agencies, and developing relationships with contractors, business partners, and suppliers to construct positive results.

Gene Francis

Gene Francis, along with his wife Connie, founded Gene Francis & Associates in Wichita, KS in 1984. Together they have built a strong & successful real estate and auction business. Gene Francis & Associates conducts live auctions consisting of quarterly farm machinery consignment auctions, biannual sporting goods & gun auctions, real estate auctions, and estate sales. In regards to real estate, Gene and his associates spend their energy marketing farmland, ranches, residential, and recreational property. Gene graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University in 1970, graduated from the Missouri Auction School in Mason City, IA, in 1982, and has been a licensed real estate agent for over 35 years.

Lori Rogge

Lori Rogge has leveraged her professional experience and strategic insight to successfully assist clients in their real estate, equipment, and asset management.  Lori is an auctioneer and licensed real estate agent in Kansas with Gene Francis & Associates. Before joining Gene Francis & Associates and Gavel Roads, Lori held positions at the Kansas State University Foundation. Rogge was senior director of development for the College of Engineering for the KSU Foundation leading the formulation and implementation of plans in support of individual and corporate philanthropy for the college. She was also an academics and athletics fundraiser with broad experience in major gifts, gift planning, and capital and endowment campaigns.  Rogge assisted donors with integration of their charitable intentions with their investment portfolio including transferring stocks and real estate, and designating their future gifts to Kansas State. Prior to joining the KSU Foundation, Rogge was a personal financial advisor for more than 10 years. She specialized in retirement, estate and tax planning. Rogge earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kansas State University and graduate of the World Wide College of Auctioneering.

Connie Francis

Connie Francis began her sales career in 1982 becoming a licensed real estate agent. In 1984, Gene and Connie founded Gene Francis & Associates, real estate brokers and auctioneers. Connie ensures a service-oriented, results-driven experience for each client. Her continued success is dedicated to the commitment she shows to every buyer and seller. With over 30 years of experience in the real estate and auction industry, she has a high degree of knowledge in her field and has a great deal of enthusiasm for her interest in the business.