About Us

Jena Baker Dennis

OWNER & AUCTIONEER

Jena Baker-Dennis, Auctioneer and Proprietress of Great Expectations Auction & Estate Services is a Florida native and has lived in the Jacksonville & Saint Augustine area most of her life. While in high school, Jena earned her Associates degree through early admissions courses and Clep Testing, graduating early in 1999 and receiving a full scholarship to college. Just 2 years later, in 2001, Jena graduated from Florida State University with 3 bachelor’s Degrees in Marketing, International Business, & Cultural Anthropology.

In the fall of 2001, Jena opened her first antique store in the heart of downtown St. Augustine. Her experience with antiques is cultivated from a lifelong passion for the quality, craftsmanship, and history of each item. Managing her antique shop, Jena developed an interest in auctions and estate sales, and began liquidating estates and other items for customers. In 2007, she decided to become an auctioneer and open an auction house in St. Augustine. With the support of her family and friends, Great Expectations Auction & Estate Services became a reality.

As one of the largest auction companies in North Florida, GE Auctions prides themselves in being a family owned & operated company. Great Expectations Auction & Estate Services is a licensed federal firearms dealer, licensed auto dealer, as well as a licensed real estate brokerage. We are proud to be the liquidation specialist for St. Johns County, the St. Johns County Sherriff’s office, and the Federal Bankruptcy Court Trustees.

In addition to being the proprietress of Great Expectations Auction Company, Jena is also a licensed realtor and co-Owner of Great Expectations Realty with her husband and father-in-law. Jena has served on many local boards in the community, as well as the state, to previously include the executive director position of the Florida Auctioneers Association. Her motivation is helping her clientele realize the value of their assets and accomplishing their lifelong goals in that process. She has a passion for real estate, antiques, high end art, fine jewelry, and anything Art Nouveau.

Between running multiple companies, and having 3 precious children, Jena has an incredibly fulfilling life that keeps her busy, and on her toes. Jena does not believe in doing anything half-way and enjoys fully immersing herself in every project she takes on with vigor and passion.