This year Valuation Expo is unveiling our new annual appraiser award. Members of the Collateral Risk Network were asked to submit their nominations for the appraiser who exemplifies professionalism, influence, character/reputation, and achievement within the industry.
The winner of this award will receive a free round trip flight to Las Vegas, two-night stay at the host hotel, and free entrance into Valuation Expo Las Vegas where they will be presented with the award. The following are the final four nominees. We now need your help to choose the finalist. Voting is now open to all our Appraisal Buzz readers and subscribers and will run from May 31st to July 31st. The winner will be announced shortly after voting has ended.
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Name: Kevin Grant
Company: Fairway Appraisal Services
Location: Brookfield, WI
Years Appraising: 12
About:
My name is Kevin P. Grant. You could definitely call me a small-town guy, having been raised by a pair of pretty amazing parents in the small town of Sheboygan, WI. I majored in Business and Finance at the University of WI-Milwaukee. In my personal life, I enjoy building a life, spending time, and traveling with my great love, fiancé, and best friend Brandi. I am very close to my family; my parents-Donald and Mary Grant, and my sister-Michele. My nephew and niece, Joey and Katie, bring lots of joy into my life! I am the owner and developer of Fairway Appraisal Services, based in Brookfield, WI. With the love, support, and encouragement I’ve received from my closest loved ones…I was able to build Fairway Appraisal Services into an extremely successful business. In addition, I developed a couple of other strong businesses as well. As a 12-year residential real estate veteran, I have represented many lenders, home owners, and appraisal management companies throughout my career as a certified residential appraiser. The success that I have worked very hard to build is no coincidence, in that I strategically put together and trained a team at Fairway Appraisal Services, that is extremely client centric. We go the extra mile to make sure that the client receives the most accurate, efficient, and complete appraisal possible each and every time. I consistently keep myself and my staff updated/educated in industry changes, USPAP, and our clients’ needs.
Nominating statement:
Kevin Grant consistently delivers accurate and complete reports. He is a pleasure to do business with and is very knowledgeable. In addition, Kevin is responsive, completes assignments on time and is always tactful and professional. We have always found Kevin to be honest in all regards. For all of these reasons and more, he serves as an example of what an appraiser can aspire to be.
How did you get into the appraisal industry?
I started out early in my real estate career as a real estate agent. Through a realty connection, I was invited to give appraisal a try, as a residential appraisal trainee. It quickly came to my realization that real estate appraisal was way more suitable to who I am. With an education & background in business and finance, I’m able to relate to each party involved in the appraisal process. Each step of the appraisal process is related to both business and finance. On each appraisal that I sign my name to, I consider the business and financial significance to all parties involved.
What do you like most about being an appraiser?
The things that I like most about being an appraiser are:
- the independence & freedom that being an appraiser provides, through allowing the appraiser to be their own boss
- the opportunity to make the career as big as I can imagine it being
- the connections & relationships that are built within the real estate community
What is one thing you do or have done to make the appraisal profession better?
I feel that I make the appraisal profession better by taking the time to make sure that my team and I always consider all parties involved in each appraisal we accept. Most importantly, ensuring client satisfaction with every product that I deliver. As appraisers, always keeping these concepts at the forefront of our work, improves the appraisal profession all the way around. Without client satisfaction, we have no business!
CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR KEVIN GRANT
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Name: Rick Hiton- MS, IFAS, LEED GA
Company: Rick Hiton & Associates
Location: Chicago, IL
Years Appraising: 37
About:
Mr. Hiton is President and Owner of Rick Hiton and Associates, one of the largest and oldest real estate appraisal and consulting firms in the Chicagoland area. He has held various leadership positions in the appraisal industry, including the 2015 President of the Illinois Coalition of Appraisal Professionals (ICAP), considered one of the leading appraisal coalitions to affect change in the appraisal industry. He currently serves on the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers (NAIFA) Chicago Chapter Board. Mr. Hiton holds the IFAS designation from the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers and a Master’s of Science Degree in Real Estate and Urban Economics. In 2016, Mr. Hiton completed the Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership Program, a Certificate Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University. Hiton provides expertise in sustainability and environmental impact as a certified LEED Green Associate and is committed to the green building movement. He is also certified by the Appraisal Institute in Commercial/Residential Solar Valuation. Finally, Mr. Hiton currently serves as the Director of Sustainability for Accurity Valuation, providing Corporate Sustainability as well as LEED Green consultation at a national level for one of the largest appraisal firms in the nation.
Nominating statement:
Rick Hiton is one of the Premier LEED Green Appraisers in the United States. He is the first valuation professional to complete the Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership Program, a Certificate Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University. The program is bringing new ideas and modalities to the valuation profession.
How did you get into the appraisal industry?
I was hooked the first day of my first real estate class in college. I have an affinity for construction, development and urban economics. The appraisal profession led me on my path for working in the various modalities.
What do you like most about being an appraiser?
Our industry is ever evolving with constant challenges and changes. I really enjoy problem solving, and being an agent of change training appraisers and working in the LEED and Sustainable fields.
What is one thing you do or have done to make the appraisal profession better?
In the past I have enjoyed serving the industry in leadership positions and working on the various challenges it faces. The last four years have been a metamorphous of my career by becoming a LEED GA, completion of the AI Green program with emphasis on Solar Valuation and completing the Harvard Program which includes being a cohort continuing member: I am in a position with Accurity Valuation, as their Director of Sustainability, to impact our profession in many ways. I am currently working on a Corporate Social Responsibility program with a national veterans group known as Bunker Labs. Bunker Labs is part of the 1871 Chicago Incubator startup technology hub who are transforming opportunities for young veterans in various industries and we are their mentors and advocates for the appraisal profession. In short I am looking to bring new life to the profession! All of this keeps me very busy with never a dull day at the office.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR RICK HITON
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Name: Robert Schiff
Company: Broadway Appraisal Service
Location: Freehold, NJ
Years Appraising: 18
About:
Robert Schiff is a life-long resident of New Jersey. He was raised in South Brunswick. Bob attended Stockton State College near Atlantic City. After graduation, Bob’s career started in sales. He eventually made the decision to join the appraisal industry, allowing him to grow both personally and professionally. Bob currently resides in Freehold with his wife of 25 years, their two daughters and three dogs.
Nominating statement:
Mr. Schiff is a positive force in the industry and always takes changes in stride in a positive and professional manner. He has trained appraisers throughout his career and is held in high regard by his partners and those he has trained. He is dedicated family man, the type of person that is steady below the radar but always supportive of his family as well as his co-workers. He and his wife are known for always helping out if there is a need within the community.
How did you get into the appraisal industry?
I owe my career to my college roommate. He started appraising with his father and uncle in their business 32 years ago, right out of college. My career in appraising started when he shared his passion with me. When I ultimately decided sales was not the path I wanted to follow, I began pursuing the appraisal industry. After approaching him about apprenticing and spending time with him, his father and uncle in the field, I knew I had found my life-long career.
What do you like most about being an appraiser?
Being an appraiser gives me the opportunity to run my own business the way I prefer. I have the flexibility which allows me to enhance my home life, while providing a needed service for the community. I enjoy solving complex assignments as it gives me a feeling of accomplishment.
What is one thing you do or have done to make the appraisal profession better?
I have always maintained relationships with my peers. This assists appraisers in my area in sharing knowledge of market trends and appraisal methodologies. It also helps keep a level of consistency within the industry.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR ROBERT SCHIFF
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Name: Ryan Campbell
Company: OnPoint Appraisals
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Years Appraising: 11
About:
Ryan began pursuing an appraisal career in 2003 where he apprenticed with an established appraisal office in Scottsdale, AZ. In 2008 Ryan branched off and started his own firm “Ryan Campbell Appraisals.” In late 2015, company growth dictated a change in direction and Ryan Campbell Appraisals became OnPoint Appraisals. OnPoint has since progressively built a successful residential appraisal company. His staff and office is located in downtown Gilbert, AZ.
Nominating statement:
Ryan gets the idea of bringing new blood into the business. He has mentored and trained more than a handful of appraisers. Part of the mentoring process is demonstrating and passing on what it means to be a true professional and a successful partner to all involved within the appraisal industry. A leader by example with an entrepreneurial spirit, his ‘practice’ is instilled into the minds of the next appraiser generation.
How did you get into the appraisal industry?
One of my best friends was already pursuing his appraisal license when I discovered the profession. I was immediately intrigued at the thought of being a “specialist” in a field where there is already so many loan officers, real estate agents, home inspectors etc. I liked the idea of being different and an expert in the field of real estate. Around the same time I realized I knew of a real estate appraiser that frequented where I worked. I politely badgered him for a year and a half to take me on as an apprentice. He convinced his brother, Philip Reichl, to give me a chance. I will forever be in debt to Phil; he went above and beyond any reasonable expectation in his efforts to make sure my training was adequate. Thanks Phil if you are reading this; I can never repay you but will always appreciate you.
What do you like most about being an appraiser?
I absolutely love speaking to the general public, homeowners, real estate agents etc. about the profession. Most people have assumptions about what an appraiser does (myself included prior to becoming an appraiser). I give a 60 minute PowerPoint presentation about appraising to anyone who will listen. I’ve been extremely lucky to have NOVA home loans invite me quarterly to speak about the appraisal process to their agent clients.
What is one thing you do or have done to make the appraisal profession better?
Membership & Support of the professional appraisal organizations when I can: AI, COAA, NAA etc. all do so much for the profession. I am pursuing my SRA designation this year; the Appraisal Institute members have welcomed me, thanks Dale. Also, Ann Susko with NAIFA & COAA deserves a shout, she is so involved and always trying to improve the profession for all of us.
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Written by : Appraisal Buzz Staff
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