I knew I wanted to be involved with real estate as a young woman. After completing my Bachelor’s Degree in 1991, I spent 5 years trying to figure out what part of our diverse industry would be the best fit for me. Throughout that time, I worked as a property manager, loan officer and an agent. Although I enjoyed those positions, none of them felt like something that I would want to do for the rest of my career. Then, I found appraising.

In 1996 I took a job as an appraiser trainee and knew I had found my spot. I fell in love with appraising because it is the one part of our industry that solely focuses on the property. As appraisers, we do not have to focus on buyers, sellers, interest rates, open houses, closing cost etc. Our objective is to focus on the real estate itself. That is what drew me in and that is what I still love to this day.

I am not saying the next 23 years of my career was a “walk in the park”. There have been market bubbles, market crashes, regulation changes, technology changes and of course, an episode or two of full blown “burn out.” But through the ups and downs, I continued to build my career and grow as an appraiser. I became a Certified Residential Appraiser in 1998, founded my own appraisal company in 2000 and then started getting involved in the AMC compliance and review side of our business in 2012.

I hold the distinguished designation of AI-RRS Membership. Achieving the Appraisal Institutes Residential Review Specialist (AI-RRS) designation exhibits my dedication to the industry by furthering my education and knowledge.

My hope is that through Appraisal Aid, my 28+ years of experience and education can be of great value to you and your organization. We are here to serve you.

Craig Capilla is a trial lawyer, defending individuals and businesses in a wide range of civil matters, including professional liability and commercial litigation. He has effectively defended numerous residential and commercial appraisers and appraisal firms accused of negligence or improper activity in their valuation services, a chiropractic group accused of malpractice, and successfully litigated employment disputes related to discrimination claims, restrictive covenants, and unemployment hearings. Craig has also represented numerous licensed professionals in state licensing matters, including real estate brokers, real estate appraisers, appraisal management companies, mortgage brokers, nursing home administrators, and medical doctors.

Craig developed his skills as a trial lawyer while working as a staff prosecutor for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, where he learned and effectively applied the rules of evidence where he tried more than 60 cases while also bringing a high volume of cases to settlement prior to trial. Additionally, Craig has drafted contracts, business agreements, and advised on corporate governance and formation for various small and medium-sized businesses while also consulting for both companies and individuals on regulatory and compliance matters.

Craig has advocated for his clients in various state and federal civil litigation matters and administrative hearings before regulatory agencies including: Qui tam defense, civil RICO matters, professional malpractice, construction defect litigation, breach of contract, breach of warranty, mechanics' liens, general tort liability, homeowners' association and landlord/tenant disputes, and professional licensing. He is authorized to practice in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin, The United States District Courts, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Wisconsin, Northern District of Indiana, Western District of Michigan, and before the United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit.

John Dingeman, MNAA, a California, Nevada and Arizona Certified Residential Appraiser and registered Property Tax Agent in Arizona, is the Chief Appraiser at Class Valuation, in a national Appraisal Management Company (AMC). He also serves as Past-President of the National Association of Appraisers (NAA) and as the Past-President for the Coalition of Arizona Appraisers (CoAA). He has extensive experience in the appraisal of single family dwellings, small income producing properties, and vacant land; and as an FHA appraiser he specializes in HUD/REO properties.

Additionally, John serves or has served in the community as Board Member to the Arizona Office of Manufactured Housing, Past-President of his homeowner’s association, village planning committee, stakeholder committee for a freeway project, and Past-President of a charitable organization called Arizona Helping Hands. Dingeman has assisted in the development of continuing education course materials approved by the Arizona and California and has instructed appraisal, assessor, mortgage loan origination, and real estate sales classes.

Owner of HF Appraisal Ltd since 09/01/1993, I currently have nine full time staff appraisers.ICAP (Illinois Coalition of Appraisal Professionals) Board member since 2016. I am currently on the executive board (2020 Treasure will be President in 2022.) I was appointed to the Uniform Appraisal Dataset Advisory Group working with Fannie and Freddie to redesign the new URAR form representing the ASA as one of only 80 residential Real Estate Appraisers nationwide. I am a member of the Chicago ASA real property committee along with running the annual ASA golf outing. Founder and President Goodfellows of Genoa Kingston IL. Non for profit charity that I started seven years ago. We buy clothes for any child in our school district that is on free or reduced lunches. Last year we provided clothes for over 400 children in our school district that we deliver every Christmas Eve.

Blaine Feyen, founder of the Real Value Group and The Coaching Academy, Chief Evangelist at True Footage.

Prior to founding RVG, Blaine led a large residential and commercial appraisal firm to exponential growth throughout the State of Michigan. During that time, Blaine developed one of the most comprehensive Appraiser training programs the industry had seen up to that point.

Blaine's appraiser training programs covered aspects of the appraisal profession typically not taught in licensing courses and mentoring programs. The courses covered topics such as sales and marketing, social media, business development, utilizing the latest technology, public speaking, using video technology for appraising, prospecting for new business, mindsets for success, optimizing an office, using virtual assistants, developing a web presence, podcasting and using video for success, mentoring other appraisers, vital communication skills for Appraisers, and how to work 'on' your business while working 'in' your business.

In addition to Blaine's busy appraisal and coaching businesses, Blaine is the Head of Community and Chief Evangelist for the quickly growing True Footage, a national appraisal company. Blaine is a sought-after teacher, speaker, and business coach, speaking regularly to agents, lenders, and appraiser groups. Blaine is also a 4th degree Black Belt in the martial art of Aikido, a student of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and the founder of one of the largest full time martial arts academies in the Midwest.

In the early 1990's, Blaine was accepted into the prestigious Leadership Development Academy as a full-time live-in student under the renowned Aikido and Zen Master, Fumio Toyoda. Blaine spent several years studying Aikido, Zen Meditation, tactical defensive applications, and Leadership under Mr. Toyoda. Blaine spent the next 13 years traveling around the world teaching Aikido, defensive tactics, leadership, and tactical applications to military, law enforcement, and civilian groups while also managing a busy career in real estate. Blaine's speaking and teaching schedule has taken him to Poland, Bulgaria, Wales, England, Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, South Africa, and almost every state in the U.S.

Malinda Griffin, MNAA is a Certified Residential appraiser in the Upstate of South Carolina since 1992. She is the owner of Malinda Griffin & Co., Real Estate Appraisals and Title Abstracting since 1990. She expanded in 2018 to offer Appraiser Continuing Education and in 2021 to offer Realtor Continuing Education.She currently serves on the SCPAC executive board, as well as the Education and Conference committees for SCPAC. She also serves on the NAA Governmental Affairs Committee. Her passion for the appraisal profession shines as she does her part to help fellow peers stay up to date on the industry through continuing education and industry information.

Jean M. McCarty, NAA, is a Certified Residential Appraiser in Mississippi and Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Mississippi Coalition of Appraisers. Semi-retired from appraising, her current main focus is advocating for appraisers through legislative and regulatory oversight and development, as well as encouraging and mentoring appraisers through education and consulting. Jean serves as a member of the national ANSI Consensus Committee charged with reviewing and suggesting amendments to ANSI-Z765.

Appraising is Jean’s third career as she was City Clerk and City Administrator for over 23 years in her hometown. One of the highlights of that profession was representing Municipal Government by serving on the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Task Force charged with totally rewriting Mississippi Election Law. She later moved to the Jackson metro area where she worked in trade association management for eight years before moving on to residential appraising as a cool retirement job. Jean has lobbied on the local, state and federal level along with testimony in legislative committee hearings and court testimony in chancery, civil and estate matters.

George Paquette, MNAA, SRA

George is a certified appraiser in multiple states and holds MNAA and SRA designations. He has served as the President of REVAA and has held Chair positions with the Collateral Risk Network and Southern California Appraisal Institute chapter.

George has spent the last 15 years in leadership roles within the appraisal management industry, leading start-up companies to some of the largest within the industry. Before entering the AMC business, he worked for a lender, heading the internal review team. George also owned and operated a staff appraisal office that serviced all of Southern California and trained several appraisers that are now certified and own successful appraisal businesses.

Barry Phillips is a Certified Residential Appraiser in South Carolina and holds the designation of Home Measurement Specialist (HMS). He is the President of SCPAC (South Carolina Appraisers Coalition) and has served on the board for the past 6 years.

He has expertise in VA and FHA appraising which he has specialized in for over 10 years. He also specializes in technology and mobile appraising and teaches webinars to appraisers throughout the state. Barry is the owner of Phillips Appraisals which he started in 2003 and provides residential valuation services in 6 counties in the Upstate of SC.

Bryan S. Reynolds, MNAA, CDEI is a certified appraiser with thirty years of experience in real property appraising and mortgage banking. He is an investigator, author, instructor and nationally featured speaker in the appraisal field. He is certified as an AQB USPAP Instructor, Registered Agent with the TN State Board of Equalization and FHA Fee Appraiser. Bryan is also recognized as an expert witness qualified by various courts. His articles have been published in the Appraisal Buzz, Working Real Estate Magazine , and USA Lawyer Guide. He has also published several books including Fannie Mae CU & You, Navigating FHA, and Appraiser’s Guide to Covering Your Assets. Bryan is a contributing author to REO Appraising and Appraising in a Depressed Market. Bryan owns Reynolds and Associates, Reynolds Appraisal Service, Fine Point Valuations and he is a founding partner in Appraiser e-Learning. His on-line classes can be located at Appraiser e-Learning.com. Bryan is the President of the National Association of Appraisers.

Heather Sullivan serves as Head of Operations Training Programs at Aloft. In this role, she leads various educational programs committed to developing the next generation of appraisers and upskilling the current appraiser workforce. Heather began her appraisal career in 1999 and has led a well-rounded career within the industry since that time. Heather has developed nationally-recognized appraisal courses and has taught appraiser education across the United States. Heather earned her Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Idaho and is an AQB Certified USPAP Instructor and IDECC Certified Distance Education Instructor. Heather is a Certified Real Estate Appraiser in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and California.

Pam is a State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser and an AQB Certified USPAP Instructor. She is the current president of the Association of Texas Appraisers and a member of the National Association of Appraisers, holding designations from both associations. She has also been appointed by the State of Texas Appraiser Licensing Certification Board to the Peer Investigative Committee and as a Mentor. Currently her time in the appraisal realm is devoted to reviewing, consulting, and teaching. Pam has extensive experience in providing commercial, industrial, and residential appraisal services throughout the South Texas area. She previously was employed by a national lender in the real estate appraisal department where she was instrumental in standing up the appraisal operations and governance departments. Prior to becoming a real estate appraiser, Pam was the Vice President of Operations for a commercial property management company, managing office buildings, shopping centers, and apartment buildings. She is married to the Artist formerly known as Professor, Harold Teel. They have three children, and nine grandchildren.

Joshua Walitt, MNAA is the principal consultant for Walitt Solutions. He provides short- and long-term consulting services related to compliance, valuation, education, review, and investigations. Clients include lending institutions, appraisers, appraisal management companies, attorneys, accountants, education providers, regulators, and others.

With over 20 years of experience, Walitt’s skillset includes appraisal, banking, regulations, policy, training, licensing, audit, and enforcement. His core goal is to foster clients’ efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and growth through appropriate methodology and technology, sound reasoning and communication skills, and proper oversight.

He writes for industry publications and speaks at events such as the Appraisal Institute’s Annual Conference, Appraisal Summit, Valuation Expo, Appraiser’s Conference and Trade Show, Association of Appraiser Regulatory Officials, and other client and industry conferences. Walitt designs seminars and continuing education courses for online and classroom delivery.

In 2013, he was the appraiser member of Colorado’s AMC Rulemaking Taskforce. In 2015, Walitt designed the Market Machine, a market analysis and modeling tool used by appraisers throughout the U.S. He has also provided valuation consulting for international applications. Walitt has been recognized as an expert witness in local and federal court.

Walitt holds the SRA & AI-RRS designations with the Appraisal Institute, is the Vice President of the National Association of Appraisers (MNAA), holds a Certified Distance Education Instructor (CDEI) certificate, is an AQB Certified USPAP Instructor, is an Appraisal Institute approved instructor, and served on the Colorado Board of Real Estate Appraisers.

Ashley Wolthuis is a real estate professional in northern Utah, with over 20 years combined experience as both a real estate agent and real estate appraiser.

Ashley represents sellers and buyers throughout northern Utah. She appraises for national lending institutions, local banks, neighborhood credit unions, and private money lenders. Her expertise in home valuation, real estate marketing, and current real estate trends are unparalleled. Her professional contacts and relationships with interior designers, contractors, photographers, lenders, inspectors, landscape designers, title agencies and architects can
assist you with any stage of your real estate experience.

Yet, as with most good things in life, choices must be made. Due to Federal and Utah laws Ashley is only allowed to act as either a real estate agent or appraiser on a transaction, not both. Please determine in which capacity you'd like Ashley to help you with your real estate transaction.

In January of 2016, Ashley was awarded the coveted distinction of Best Real Estate Agent in the publicly nominated and voted Indie Ogden Awards. Over 8,000 people voted in the awards and Ashley was honored to be recognized by the community.