Welcome to ISA!

The ISA is proud to introduce you to the newest appraisers to obtain an ISA membership. Please join us in publicly welcoming them to the Society!

Mary Kohnke Bartlett, IL	Larissa Wild Gould Eagle, CO
Olga Belyaeva Chicago, IL	Charles Davis Louisville, KY
Renee Banks Linden, NJ	Elaina Grinwald Dallas, TX
Laura Toops Merrillville, IN	Amy Hoover St. Louis, MO
Brendan Ryan San Jose, CA	Shelah Allen Tacoma, WA
Gabrielle Segal New York, NY	Elin Hamalainen Rockville, MD
Leah Carey Toronto, ON	Lennie Pressman New York, NY
Donnie Kim Richmond Hill, ON	Charles Tinsley Bedford, TX
Keith Rainer Memphis, TN	Bianca Morabito Boca Raton, FL
Sonjia Weinstein Laramie, WY

New to the ISA

The ISA is proud to introduce the following individuals to the ISA. Please join us in publicly welcoming them to the Society!

Elizabeth Anastos Winnetka, IL	Meridith Baer Los Angeles, CA
Catherine Bassett Midland, TX	Paula Cagigal Edmond, OK
Jeffrey Chandler North Port, FL	Laura Cole Naperville, IL
Kimberly Daylor Houston, TX	Vincent Dillon Indianapolis, IN
Candace Drexelius Louisville, KY	Steven Gilman Arlington Heights, IL
Beth Hancock Lady's Island, SC	Travis Havelka Wheaton, IL
Catherine Hovey Dripping Springs, TX	Chenying (Molly) Huang Falls Church, VA
Ann Helene Iversen Princeton, NJ	Jo-Ann Kane, ISA Montreal, QC
Khadinn Khan Hong Kong	Katherine Klein Rocklin, CA
Angie Longpré Thornhill, ON	Emanuel Nash, III Jacksonville, FL
Suzanne Pringle Winnipeg, MB	Marcey Ramos Hermitage, TN
Glenn Rand Mason, MI	Jason Rzepniewski Pflugerville, TX
Mitch Schmer Crystal Lake, DR	Sneha Shah Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Gene Shapiro, ISA AM New York, NY	Shanna Shelby Denver, CO
Claire Shields Raleigh, NC	Ann Smith Fredericksburg, VA
Elizabeth Taylor Columbus, OH	Heidi Vaughan Houston, TX
Valerie Voinis Houston, TX	Edward White Bartlesville, OK
Cathy Wright Albuquerque, NM

New ISA Members

The ISA is proud to introduce you to the newest appraisers to obtain a 2016 ISA membership. Please join us in publicly welcoming them to the Society!

William Bales Santa Fe, NM	Janel Bedor-Griffiths Appleton, WI
Keven Belt Montgomery, AL	Jessica Berger Streamwood, IL
Susan Conway Houston, TX	George Cunningham Phoenix, AZ
Linda Dembek Naperville, IL	Sophia du Brul Wilmette, IL
Philip Elia Davie, FL	Robert Farner Liberty Lake, WA
Mary Catherine Godvin Ferndale, MI	Myrna Hayutin Denver, CO
Faith Hensley Odessa, MO	Donita Hood Gwynn Oak, MD
Patrick Houlihan Sedona, AX	Eric Jenior Canton, OH
David Kwiat Encino, CA	Hannah Laws Plano, TX
Karl LeClair Boise, ID	James Mabry Huntsville, AL
Patrick Marlowe San Antonio, TX	Suzanne McKenzie-Hawtrey Santa Barbara, CA
Andria Minicucci Toronto, ON	Adam Muhlig San Antonio, TX
Karen Murray Schwenksville, PA	Rebecca Neat Vancouver, BC
Olga Nodarse Chao Lakeland, FL	Kimberly Permenter Austin, TX
Anna Rodgers Mars, PA	Tamara Stangeby Seattle, WA
Jannie Stoodley Calgary, AB	Jessica Strongin Austin, TX
William Taylor Burlington, IA	Marcy Wall Bella Vista, AR
Jonathan Warren Chattanooga, TN	Yakov Wiessmandl Lakewood, NJ
Tamara White New Port Richey, FL	Lelia Williamson New York, NY
Ethan Yang Houston, TX	Colleen Zapata San Antonio, TX

ISA Means Business!

By Marian R. Aubry, ISA CAPP

Ever wonder what “WWW” really means? It stands for Wow Whata Week – an accurate description of the spectacular ISA Annual Conference in Fort Worth that took place in April, which featured a stellar program chockful of great speakers, timely topics, and networking opportunities that often included wine. Surprises for both ISA members and friends in attendance included a chance to use the research/report writing platform known as Collectrium for free (yes, as in FREE!) – the fact that it incorporates ISA writing standards was certainly an added bonus. It was an exciting gift, to say the least; several appraisers even gave the announcement a standing ovation. Naturally, we were all anxious to try it, even those of us who are normally skeptical of free offers. As industry professionals, we are increasingly reliant on software to help make our businesses more efficient, and with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to determine which platforms are the best to utilize.

In a recent ISA survey, responses showed that ‘business concerns’ was among the top issues that our members would like the organization to address. In the increasingly complex landscape of appraising, aspects like marketing are often bewildering, not to mention expensive. Knowing the best way to operate an appraisal business can leave many scratching their heads. We don’t often have the time or money it takes to hire an outside party to help us wade through those waters. So... where do we begin?

In response to these concerns, the ISA Membership Retention Committee is launching a new feature: ISA Means Business! This program will focus on helping our members operate efficient, effective businesses, whether they are just starting out or making certain that their existing business is up-to-date and thriving. We will begin the launch with blogs, tips and techniques garnered from our member professionals and others; software and office practice recommendations; and entries that address some 'real-life' business concerns, including how to deal with competition and reach the gatekeepers. We are currently at work compiling the ISA Business Start-up Tool Kit, which will assist fledgling and seasoned appraisers alike.

Getting started as an appraiser, opening your first office, deciding on a business strategy, meeting the necessary government requirements, getting the word out, hoping the public will hire you, calming your 'first-timer' jitters – none of this is what you’d call an easy road. It is our hope that ISA Means Business! will at the very least help to ensure that that road is paved.

Happily, one of our most treasured resources as ISA members resides in our very own membership. Years of experience, focused expertise, networking opportunities, mentoring and a host of other ways to connect to each other – these make up the best part of ISA. This new program is not only free, but it is also entirely accessible. You need only ask to be put in contact with someone, and a fellow member will be there to help. And that, friends, is your business tip of the day: Contact Headquarters about getting connected to a mentor.

But hey, don’t just take my word for it. In a recent Forbes article highlighting the best advice ever received by successful business owners, one of the top recommendations for start-ups was… you guessed it…taking advantage of the mentorships available to you.

What You Should Know If You are a First-Time Assets Attendee

By Libby Holloway, ISA CAPP

Whether you’ve been a member for three years or three weeks, if you haven’t ever attended Assets yet, you haven’t really taken an important step towards becoming part of the ISA family.

Of all the benefits that come with membership, perhaps the greatest is having direct access to other professionals with appraisal expertise that differs from your own. One can easily find a person through our website, but it is so much easier to take advantage of the Find a Member resource if you are a familiar face. The annual conference committee not only plans informative lectures to equip you with further education (and the confidence that comes with it) but also makes a point of setting aside time for attendees to meet fellow members, speakers, sponsors and advertisers. Those of us who are conference veterans know how important these relationships are.

The first night of Assets, first-time conference attendees are invited to a reception and given a chance to meet each other, as well as a few of the staff members and ISA leaders who will be on hand to help you get started. These contacts will do their best to help first-timers meet other members who may have the same area of expertise but have more years of experience under their belt. There will also be various groups that form to go out for dinner. If you don't know anyone at conference, it may be worth it to consider signing up when you register and getting a head start on networking. There will be plenty of friendly faces to meet, and the dinner groups are not exclusively for first-timers. I encourage everyone to check their registration materials carefully to ensure that you don't miss any events or opportunities.

Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a pro when it comes to finding your way around conference, there is another very important aspect of conference attendance that can help your success: believe it or not, becoming a member of a committee can help you succeed. 

Getting involved in ISA leadership is a rewarding way to meet people while making a difference in the industry. No matter what your talent, there is a place for you. Most groups are open and welcome those seeking information about them during the meeting. A good first step is joining the division committee you specialize in, like ISA's Fine Art Division or the Antiques and Residential Contents Division. Being a member of these committees not only gives you a say in what and how targeted learning experiences are formed but also helps you stay alert to changes in the  industry. Perhaps you have a suggestion regarding how ISA is marketed. Maybe you have a strategy for implementing some exciting member benefits. Don't let your ideas go to waste. Join a committee and share.

Membership Matters

By Perri Guthrie, ISA CAPP, Vice President

When I think about it, ISA is all about membership. As a society of appraisers, ISA’s mission is to “Advance Excellence in the personal property appraisal profession.” This means us!

Dedicated committee volunteers, ISA Sentergroup staff and our board of directors are all continuously working together to offer opportunities to advance our methodology training and product knowledge. We have also generated a broad scope of marketing tools for members’ appraisal practices and have enhanced individual market share reach by way of active social media platforms. ISA resources that include online and onsite educational course offerings, webinars, annual conferences, mentoring and networking programs continue to provide us with a full spectrum of 21st century professional connectivity.

That said, ISA membership is not merely about a list of services, it is also about experiences. By embracing collaboration, ISA membership adds significant value to members’ businesses and lives. As many of you know, our ISA culture encourages its members to share their ah-ha moments. Our growth and development as appraisers, and our better understanding of sometimes complex appraisal puzzles, are linked to these experiences: a fellow ISA member presents a unique and difficult appraisal assignment at conference; a certified ISA member generously offers his or her expertise to a newcomer; an ISA member, although a great distance away, is there in a moment by video conferencing to discuss project strategy and approach with colleagues. I believe we have all been the beneficiaries of these consequential connections. These priceless attributes of our membership, these critical “inside” opportunities and relationships afforded to our members, are often overlooked and can be difficult to calibrate in a dollar-and-cent equation of our annual membership fee.

As we continue to grow our own appraisal practices, ISA continues to work to develop membership to the benefit of our collective welfare. By building our membership, we can sustain our commitments, advance our core set of values, bring vitality to our society, and explore new business opportunities together.

Without ISA educational programs, without a set of standards for qualified personal property appraisers, without a network of like-minded colleagues and without the advocacy and support of ISA, I think it would be fair to say that the extent of our knowledge and breadth of our abilities as personal property appraisers would be greatly diminished.

ISA’s Membership Development Committee, chaired by Michelle Conliffe, ISA CAPP, with the support of Kirsten Rabe Smolensky, JD, ISA CAPP, has been diligently working on member recruitment. The committee is NOT asking for money, but rather for people. It is our worthy organization of people, those with personal property appraisal desire and/or expertise, who strengthen ISA and make membership matter!

However, the efforts of the Membership Development Committee need not be restricted to committee outreach alone. All members are ISA ambassadors, and all members can be good stewards of our organization by sharing its benefits with others who may share similar professional interests.

Do you have an acquaintance that is in need of an open door to an independent profession? Or do you perhaps know a student looking for job inspiration and seeking a career path? Have you worked with another professional in a related field who might find appraisal methodology education attractive? By sharing your ISA membership experiences with these individuals, you help contribute to the life and spirit of our organization.

In a recent report regarding not-for-profit organization sustainability, a survey question was asked: “What is the single most important reason people give as to why they have joined an organization?” The greatest number answered: Somebody asked me.

New ISA Members

The ISA is proud to introduce you to our newest members (through December 2015). Please join us in welcoming them to the Society!

Marie Brown San Antonio, TX	Angelica Chapman Houston, TX
Noralen Curl Meadville, PA	Ellen Galeski Oxnard, CA
Heather Gokhman Corona Del Mar, CA	Lauren Graber Los Angeles, CA
Courtney Huber Amelia, OH	Shelly Lane Seattle, WA
Kris Lee Batu Feringghi, Penang	Laura Maccarthy McLean, VA
Ronnie Pirovino Sandy, UT	Jennifer Rowe Regina, SK
Sophia Shung Tanjung Bungah, Penang	Jan Teo Santa Monica, CA
Julie Torchia Lahaina, HI

New ISA Members

The ISA is proud to introduce you to our 22 newest members (through August 2015). Please join us in welcoming them to the Society!

Brooke Baggenstoss Seattle, WA	Tiffany Beasley Montgomery, AL
Heather Blume Harwichport, MA	Anita Chavez Albuquerque, NM
Lori Cohen Philadelphia, PA	Eileen Cornell Lilburn, GA
Bruce Davie Rochester, NY	Donna Davis Marietta, GA
Wendy Dych Romeo, MI	Jeff Figler Poway, CA
Laurent Gache Los Angeles, CA	David Goranson Lakewood, CO
Mircea Granescu Chicago, IL	Michele LaRocco Richmond, TX
Patricia Manzo Riverside, CA	Maria Masse Olympia, WA
Jessica May Portland, OR	Alison Petretti New Canaan, CT
Phoebe Seward Houston, TX	Mercedes Taboada Sola Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC
Angele Taylor Jackson, MS	Jonathan Vincent Norwich, VT

Tips on Getting Started and Starting Over

Karen S. Rabe, ISA CAPP

By Karen S. Rabe, ISA CAPP

I started appraising in 1987 before joining ISA in 1990. And in those 28 years, I have relocated my appraisal practice five times. I have become very proficient at starting over.

I did not know I was destined to become an appraiser. I started as an antiques dealer in Columbus, Indiana. I went to auctions on a weekly basis. I started building my reference library and reading voraciously about antiques and decorative arts. Soon enough, I was a groupie at the estate sales and auctions and was befriended by one of the local appraisers. He was an American art pottery collector and dealer. He asked me to accompany him on one of his appraisal assignments, knowing I had just attended a furniture authentication class at New York University. He felt I may be able to identify some potential period pieces in the estate of the team doctor for the New York Yankees in Mickie Mantel’s heyday. 

The day of the assignment arrived. The appraiser brought his full appraisal kit along, a yellow legal pad of paper and a pen. He made a laundry list with values of the estate items on the spot. There was no room for his signature on the bottom of the list, so he turned the pad sideways, signed the document, and handed it to the estate attorney. My light bulb went on! There was something wrong with this picture.

I had never entertained the idea of appraising, but I immediately decided there had to be a more professional way of doing appraisals. I read Henry Babcock’s book "Appraisal Principles and Procedures." It was like watching paint dry! I needed professional, accessible training. I researched the big three appraisal organizations and chose ISA.

Setting up the Business the First Time: Advertising Tips & Going to Court
Really, setting up the business in each location was essentially the same. In Indiana, I took out the then-mandatory yellow page ad, visited every antique shop in a 50 mile radius and left my business cards, joined the local antique club, and became a member of the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA). I was elected an officer on the board of IMA’s satellite gallery in Columbus, which allowed me to meet art lovers and collectors. I gave talks on appraising to small groups and clubs interested in antiques and art. I joined the ISA Chapter in Indianapolis, which became a valuable resource. I created a packet of promotional items and mailed them to the banks, attorneys and auction houses. ISA even provides promotional tools for you now.

Your ISA credentials are important for your credibility. Keep them up-to-date. My big break came when I was asked to do a divorce appraisal for a local attorney. I did the appraisal for the wife. A local auctioneer appraised the same items for the husband. I was asked to appear in court to defend my appraisal and was terrified. I was grilled by the opposing attorney as to my lack of experience.  After all, the auctioneer has been working in the area for over 30 years, and I had had just recently earned my credentials and lived there just 3 years. I responded that I had ISA training and my values resulted from attending many area auctions, estate sales and a great deal of research. I also commented that the auctioneer had no appraisal training, had only attended his own auctions, and was using that for the basis of his values. The judge threw out the auctioneer’s appraisal and my client prevailed. I was subsequently hired by the opposing attorney for all of his divorce work. I was in! My business flourished as the word spread about that case. Moral of the story: Don’t be afraid of going to court.

The First Move: Expanding Connoisseurship
After eight years, we were transferred to Charleston, South Carolina. I was very excited to be working in such a historic area, but I knew that I had to enhance my product knowledge to gain the respect of the local curators, auctioneers, dealers and clients. I attended both Winterthur’s Winter Institute and the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts Summer Institute. I was in antique heaven in Charleston, visiting every shop on King Street at least once a month to examine their inventory. After the dealers realized that I was genuinely interested in learning, and I posed no threat to them, they were eager to show me their wares. I often consulted with them on appraisal projects and, in turn, sent my clients to them to buy and sell.

There are numerous opportunities to build your product knowledge. Join the English Ceramic Circle and attend a few of their summer schools in England. Attend Sotheby’s Decorative Arts program in London. Attend ISA’s annual conference or the Foundation for Appraisal Education Seminar. Connoisseurship education is never ending in this profession and builds your credibility as an appraiser. You don't necessarily have to travel in order to learn. Attend local antique shows, view ISA’s webinars, take advantage of your local chapter presentations, use the ISA forum for both appraisal and product knowledge questions, or go to auctions to get hands-on exposure. MESDA, Colonial Williamsburg, Winterthur, The Historical National Trust, American Friends of Attingham, and many regional museums offer programs to boost your knowledge of the decorative arts. The Foundation of Appraisal Education offers scholarships for these learning opportunities.

The test of my new product knowledge came when I was asked to reevaluate a huge estate on the Battery in Charleston. The heir felt that the established Charleston appraiser had misidentified some items, resulting in incorrect values. I did extensive due diligence. I first learned everything that I could about the items and then as necessary reached out to my contacts at Winterthur, MESDA, and the antiques dealers on King Street. An appraiser cannot know everything, but his or her greatest expertise should be knowing who the experts are. I also learned that you should never consult with these experts until you have exhausted all of your own resources and know as much about the item as you possibly can when you contact them. It turns out the heir was right, and there were major valuation issues with the initial appraisal. As the news spread, my business grew. And, when it was time to leave Charleston, I was able to take my expanded product knowledge and new contacts with me.

Moving to a Locale with Many Qualified Appraisers can be a Good Thing
My next move was to Lake Forest, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, one which had many established ISA and ASA appraisers. Here, in addition to all of the usual procedures, I sought out opportunities for wider exposure. For the first time, I set up a website, a necessity for an appraiser in today’s market. I did monthly appraisal fairs for the local community center and worked as an appraiser on "The Appraisal Fair," an HGTV program hosted by Leslie Hindman. Both experiences brought in a great deal of lucrative work. While local and regional appraisal fairs can be time consuming, do not discount the exposure that they can bring to you, particularly if broadcast on television or radio.

In every city, there is an antiques "underground," a network of individuals you should get to know while establishing your business in a new area. These include the obvious: attorneys, trust officers, auction house staff, museum curators, dealers and collectors. But do not forget your local ISA appraisers! The Chicago Chapter was a great resource and helped me quickly learn the "underground." We were also able to refer business to one another. Get to know your fellow ISA appraisers; sometimes, they may be your best resource.

Moving Yet Again: Connoisseurship, Again! And, the Internet Age
Moving to Arizona posed new challenges, in that I had limited knowledge of Native American items, a category of personal property common in this state. Fortunately, the ISA has many members who are knowledgeable in this field. Remember to offer compensation for consultations. The local dealers have been a great resource as well. My daughter, Kirsten Smolensky, ISA CAPP, retained a reputable Scottsdale dealer to give us a hands-on course on Native American rugs, basketry and pottery. This experience did not substitute for consulting on important items, but it at least gave us an idea of what to look for and where to start. Network with the dealers in your area. Gain their respect.

I no longer advertise in the yellow pages. I find it is expensive, and it does not bring me the type of clients I want. Instead, the best advertising tool is a great website. Keep it up-to-date and fresh, using keywords that will assist with search engine optimization (SEO). If this is Latin to you, do not be afraid to hire help. Join Angie’s List. Create a business page on Facebook and LinkedIn. Network with businesses that have a great Internet presence and ask them to link to your website. For example, I was asked to be an appraiser on the Arizona PBS TV show "Arizona Collectibles." Not only did I get great exposure from the show, but my name now appears higher on the search engines because I am listed on their website. I have gotten many calls through Google searches by appearing on this program.

ISA membership makes it easy to get started as an appraiser. Starting over in a new location has  frequently forced me to expand my product knowledge, network extensively, and build a solid reputation in the industry. Feel free to contact me if you have questions about getting started or starting over at ksrabe@gmail.com. I look forward to connecting with you!

New ISA Members

The International Society of Appraisers is proud to introduce you to all of the new members since the beginning of 2015. Please join us in welcoming them to the Society!

Melissa Arnold Malibu, CA	Dana Arvidson Lakeville, MN
Janet Bethay Merritt Island, FL	Andrea Brehm La Jolla, CA
Alison Butler, ISA St. John's, NL	Katheryn Campbell London, England
Joshua Carden St. Augustine, FL	Robin Caton Cathedral City, CA
Tracy Chalhoub Seattle, WA	Barbara Chapman Lake Oswego, OR
Colleen Deemer Wilmington, DE	Susan Douglas Guelph, ON
Maureen Downey San Francisco, CA	Robert Fay West Palm Beach, FL
Katherine Fogelman San Ramon, CA	Stephen Foo Addison, TX
Shawn Gannaw Lefroy, ON	Karri Brooke Guigui Cincinnati, OH
Mary Beth Haas Owings Mills, MD	Inga Hazen, ISA Portland, OR
Julia Henri Ann Arbor, MI	Kelly Juhasz, ISA Toronto, ON
Sanjay Kapoor New York, NY	Patrick Kearney Chicago, IL
Kate Kombos Tyler, TX	Catherine (Kate) Lilly, ISA Austin, TX
Karen Longfield, ISA Toronto, ON	Mary Alice Manella Dania Beach, FL
Regan Masi Santa Rosa, CA	Holly Mazar-Fox, ISA Toronto, ON
Eleanor Muir, ISA Toronto, ON	Philip Pruitt Venice, FL
Tara Quell Houston, TX	Gwendolyn Reasoner Hackberry, LA
Jere Rush Rochester, MI	Liana Schwaitzberg Houston, TX
Patrick Sheehan New York, NY	Paige Sillcox, ISA King City, ON
Anna van Blankenstein Vancouver, BC	Mary Walker Tempe, AZ
Chantel Wilson, ISA Tallahassee, FL

New ISA Members

The International Society of Appraisers is proud to introduce you to all of the new members since the beginning of 2014. Please join us in welcoming them to the Society!

Marie Dietrich Portland, OR	Steven Raether Mesa, AZ
Shannon Aubin New Boston, NH	Jason Howe Owego, NY
Camille Huie Gainesville, FL	Linda Matthews Santa Fe, NM
Andrew Gellatly Santa Fe, NM	Maria Gianino St. Louis, MO
Lauren Abramowitz Glendale, AZ	David Dike Fine Art Dallas, TX
John Latour Montreal, QC	Janet Madrigal Joliet, IL
Sarah Sweet-Brown Pacific Palisades, CA	Cynthia Postma Calgary, AB
Leslie Vitanza AnnRenee Montecito, CA	John Romani Ardmore, PA
Manya Basile Beverly Hills, MI	James Kanel Las Cruces, NM
Jerry Coker Lumberton, TX	Lisa Schoening Los Angeles, CA
Joseph Daniel Fort Lauderdale, FL	Trevor LePrevost West Windsor, NJ
Steven Stam Lynbrook, NY	Armen Dohanian, III Dallas, TX
Katy Alexander San Antonio, TX	Christopher Gaillard New York, NY
Robert Vogt San Antonio, TX	Daniel Rogers Williamsburg, VA
Theresa Sickler Bluffton, SC	Holly Latch Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Vanessa Elmore Santa Fe, NM	Jennifer Lynch Taos, NM
Michael Mee Dallas, TX	Robin Gross Kansas City, MO
Mark Cooper Sarasota, Fl	Steven McNeil Ottawa, ON
Elizabeth Underhill Birmingham, AL	Rachael Leventhal-Garnett Fort Worth, TX
Brian Herzig San Antonio, TX	Henry Cadwalader Jackson, WY
MS Hayes Bucharest	Linda Cano Fresno, CA
David Templeton Burien, WA	Sarahlynn Schenck Puyallup, WA
Helen (Len) de Rohan Knoxville, TN	Lisa Desilets Winnipeg, MB
Rachael Storey London, ON	Richard Henley North Liberty, IA
Veronica Adetuyi Toronto, ON	Sara Cain Houston, TX
Michael Skerrett Toronto, ON	Ashleigh Hite Dallas, TX
Kara Dirkson Sioux Falls, SD	Daniel Deyell Edmonton, AB
Beata Riedemayer Potomac, MD	Robert Golan Hillsborough, NC
Emily Meyer Potomac, MD	Cynthia Corcoran Houston, TX
Michelle Stallings Aubrey, TX	Andrew Higgins Tucson, AZ
Elizabeth Pier Canton, NY	Karena Rozin Aurora, ON

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The ISA would also like to recognize the following members for their successful completion of the ISA CAPP program.

This achievement marks their tireless efforts in the pursuit of education and professionalism in the field of personal property appraising. Please join ISA in congratulating these members on their extraordinary achievement:

Laura Wallace, ISA CAPP - Birmingham, AL
Perri Guthrie, ISA CAPP - Woodside, CA
Ruth Winston, ISA CAPP - New Orleans, LA
Meredith Meuwly, ISA CAPP - Dallas, TX

Congratulations to our newest CAPPs!

New ISA CAPPs and Membership Applicants

ISA would like to announce our newest ISA CAPP members for the first quarter of 2012:

Christine Guernsey – Colleyville, TX
Judy Nelson – Fort Worth, TX

Congratulations on all of your hard work and this outstanding achievement!

We would also like to introduce our 27 new membership applicants for this quarter.  Please join us in welcoming these applicants to the Society.

Greg Brown – Minneapolis, MN
Ronald Broyles – San Rafael, CA
Justina Burgett – Visalia, CA
Tracey Capes  Elliott – Toronto, ON
Philip Dexheimer – Ocala, FL
Elizabeth Edwards – Toronto, ON
Patricia English – Houston, TX
Jarrett Fairman – Monroe, LA
Katharine Fernstrom – Baltimore, MD
Erin Fossum – Seattle, WA
Kay Helker – Platteville, WI
Anja Karisik – Toronto, ON
Emilia Lanwher – Richmond, VA
Ducan McLaren – St. Catharines, ON
Henk Pardoel – Lansdowne, ON
Kamille Parkinson – Kingston, ON
Germaine Pataki-Theriault – Fredrickton, NB
Clemens Peschl – Pompano Beach, FL
Edward Phillips – Toronto, ON
Melissa Pineda – Santa Fe, NM
Ann-Louise Seago – Toronto, ON
Jon Slone – Ormond Beach, FL
Kurt Soucek – Tacomca, WA
James Tarpey – Bozeman, MT
Krysta Telenko – Hanmer, ON
William Tirpaeck – Little Compton, RI
Erik Yang – Dallas, TX

Congratulations on taking this important step in furthering your professional career and welcome to ISA!

If you would like to recommend someone for membership, please forward their contact information to Sara Porter: sporter@thesentergroup.com.

ISA Announces Course Attendees

ISA kicked off the 2012 course calendar with offerings of the Requalification course: January 20-21 and the 15 Hour Personal Property USPAP course: January 23-24, in Naperville, IL at the Northern Illinois University- Naperville campus.

ISA is pleased to announce recent course attendees:

Requalification
Cindy Charleston-Rosenberg, ISA CAPP – Elkins Park, PA
Michael Conner, ISA AM – Champaign, IL
Dana Garvey, ISA AM – Seattle, WA
Darlene Hines, ISA CAPP – Bloomfield Hills, MI
Carey Ross, ISA AM – Seattle, WA

15 Hour Personal Property USPAP
Martha Arney, ISA AM – St. Joseph, MI
Jack Bacon – Reno, NV
Dana Garvey, ISA AM – Seattle, WA
Nigel Harrison – Vancouver, BC
Roberta Kramer, ISA AM – Chicago, IL
Judith Martin, ISA CAPP – Wheaton, IL
Kamille Parkinson – Kingston, ON
Carey Ross, ISA AM – Seattle, WA
Wendy Treacy – Aurora, ON
Elise Waters Olonia – El Prado, NM

We would like to congratulate these course attendees, in the successful completion of the course as well as for taking an important step in further their industry knowledge! If you would like to learn more about upcoming ISA courses, click here.

New Membership Applicants

ISA is pleased to announce our 18 new membership applicants for the second quarter of 2011. Please join us in welcoming these applicants to the Society.

John Abajian – New Orleans, LA
Gus Bynum – Georgetown, KY
Michelle Castro – New Orleans, LA
Jerry Copeland – Memphis, TN
Emily Gaul – Evanston, IL
Holly Hackwith – Omaha, NE
Lorie Hart – Solon, OH
Chelsea Kozachenko – Fort Worth, TX
Lisa Lowy – Solon, OH
G. Baxter Mathews – Winter Park, FL
Bill Mercer – Pueblo, CO
Margaret Nicolson – New Orleans, LA
Shell Payton – Montgomery, AL
Edan Sassoon – Beverly Hills, CA
Jeani Shankle – Raleigh, NC
Deric Torres – Oakland, CA
Marcus Wardell – Oakland, CA
Rosalie Wardell – Healdsburg, CA

Congratulations on taking this important step in furthering your professional career and welcome to ISA!

If you would like to recommend someone for membership, please forward their contact information to Sara Porter: sporter@thesentergroup.com.

New Applicants

ISA would like to announce our 13 new membership applicants for the first quarter of 2011.

Steve Allard – St. Ignatius, MT
Deborah Batterson – Jericho, NY
Jennifer Bird – Coral Gables, FL
Bruce Cobb – Peterborough, NH
Robert DuMouchelle – Detroit, MI
Leslie Hunter – Edmonton, AB
Francesca LaSala Cobb – Peterborough, NH
Lauren Laughry – Dallas, TX
Daniel Matthews – Nokomis, IL
James Modena – Scottsdale, AZ
Jody Scott-Olson – Royalton, MN
Caroline Shuford – Dallas, TX
Wendy Treacy – Aurora, ON

Please join us in welcoming our new applicants to the Society and congratulations on taking this important step in furthering your professional career.

If you would like to recommend someone for membership, please forward their contact information to Sara Porter: sporter@thesentergroup.com.

New members in 2010!

ISA would like to take a moment to recognize the 60 new members who joined the Society in 2010:


Alexander, Heather - Barrington NH
Baldwin, Jason, ISA -  Chicago IL
Bernstein, Alexander - Minnetonka MN
Braddock, Dennis - Seattle WA
Bradley, Lauren - Doylestown PA
Brogan, Jessica - Cedar Falls IA
Brown, Susan - Sugar Land TX
Busch, Susan - Bradenton FL
Carr, Marjorie - Miami FL
Conway, Debbie - Waterville NY
Deming, Claudia - Bradenton FL
Durnin-Moore, Stephen - Cream Ridge NJ
Echeverry, Gabriel A. - San Antonio TX
Fleming, Reba Jo - Amarillo TX
Forcier, Madeleine - Montreal QC
Fredrickson, Carlette, ISA - Centerton AR
Garcia, Lisa, ISA - San Antonio TX
Giroux, James - Parker CO
Goodell, Amy, ISA - Westminster MD
Hahn, Ann - La Grange IL
Hale, Andrew - Santa Fe NM
Hensarling, Whitney - San Francisco CA
Hittel, Matthew - Fort Lauderdale FL
Holderman, Elizabeth, ISA AM - Richardson TX
Hyde, Brittany - Stuart FL
Irvin, William, ISA - Petersburg VA
Jacobson, Miranda A. - Albuquerque NM
Jamrose, Robert - Chicago IL
Jobes Cottle, Georgia - Boerne TX
Johnson, York - Franklint TN
Jones, Carolyn - Shoreline WA
Kane, Lorne - Forth Worth TX
Kane, Vicki - Fort Worth TX
Kaylakie, Marcia, ISA - Austin TX
Keller, Charles - Lone Jack MO
Kline, John - Durham NC
Leonard, John - Addison IL
Luppino, Tony - Calgary AB
Lyness, Rosalind - Oshkosh WI
Martin, Cathryn (Kate) - Wheaton IL
McCaslin, William - North Richland Hills TX
McGeoghegan, Kelly, ISA - Chico CA
Merriman, Terri - Amarillo TX
Mieczkowski, Michael - Summerfield NC
Millie, Tom, GPPA - Omaha NE
Morrison, Kim - Hinsdale IL
Pierson, Lee - Dallas TX
Plunkett, John Long - Grove IL
Ray, Dawn - Hermitage TN
Schwartz, Stefanie, ISA AM - Moreland Hills OH
Sorenson, Dale - Silver Spring MD
Sturtevant, Jess - Bradenton FL
Sumberg, Bobbie, PhD - Santa Fe NM
Torres, Maria - Montreal QC
Waters Olonia, Elise - El Prado NM
Whisenhunt, Janet Lynn - San Antonio TX
Wysoki, Susan - Richmond VA
Yeonjin Chung, Amy - Los Angeles CA
Yocum,Pearline - Herald CA
Young, Henry - Belvidere IL

If you know someone you’d like to recommend for membership, please forward their contact information to me at sporter@thesentergroup.com.

Sara Porter
Membership & Operations Coordinator

Holiday Greetings

Dear Colleagues

2010 has been a very busy year for ISA.  We have welcomed more than 100 new members to our organization adding strong additions to our membership and volunteer pool.  In the past 12 months we have instituted our Webinars on a regular basis.    Our relationship with Northern Illinois University is growing stronger .  All the while our education process is becoming more professional and updated. 

Our database has been cleaned up and our member’s records sorted and stabilized.  Our website is getting ready to be geared up for new exciting changes.  And the updated and re-edited manual is due out this spring.  

We are well on our way to having one of the best attended conferences in many a year when we all meet in Nashville 2011.   Our financials have been stabilized and we are looking to end our year in the black , which in a very tenuous financial year is a fete all by itself.   

We have been very fortunate to have received good constructive criticism from our membership at large – both on the forum and privately.  As an organization we have listened carefully ; please watch us in the New Year as we begin to move from idea to implementation.   

Please make the ISA blog a daily visit in your busy day as well as our facebook page .  If you have not joined our linkedin site – you must join to read the conversations.  These are just the extra communication tools we are using along with our regular education blasts , newsworthy blasts and the ever important member forum. 

As we all prepare to celebrate the coming New Year and look towards the future, the ISA Board of Directors along with the staff of Sentergroup wishes each of our members a Happy , Healthy ,and Prosperous New Year. 

Happy Holidays to you all !

Judith Martin ISA CAPP 
President, ISA

ISA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS and RECOGINIZES ATTENDEES

We’re pleased to welcome the following new members who have joined the Society since July 1, 2010:

If you know someone you’d like to recommend for membership, please forward their contact info to Sara Porter, ISA’s Membership & Operations Coordinator, at sporter@thesentergroup.com.

ISA would also like to recognize those who have successfully completed the recent Core Course in Appraisal Studies, in Naperville, IL October 25-31, 2010. Congratulations on your successful completion of the Core Course and best of luck as you further your education, knowledge and experience through the ISA courses and membership!



Welcome New Members and More Congratulations are Due!

We’re pleased to welcome the following new members who have joined the Society since January 1, 2010:

If you know someone you’d like to recommend for membership, please forward their contact info to Sara Porter, ISA’s Membership & Operations Coordinator, at sporter@thesentergroup.com.

ISA would also like to acknowledge those who participated in the Requalification Course offered in Toronto, May 4-5, 2010. These individuals have recognized the importance of maintaining their professional designations and have done so through the participation and completion of this course. Congratulations to the following for successfully completing the Requalification course:

The next on-site Requalification Course takes place in Naperville, IL October 4-5, 2010. For more information and to register, visit the ISA Education Page or call ISA Headquarters at 312.981.6778.