It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Damon C. Bidencope, MAI, who lost his battle with melanoma Saturday, September 13th, 2025. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jennie, and their children Emma and Michael, who were the center of his life.
Damon began his career as an appraiser in 1992 with the Meyer Appraisal Company in Charlotte. In 1995, he co-founded Trident Real Estate Services, which operated until 1997.
The process for nomination and election of the Appraisal Institute’s 2025 vice president has begun. The following individuals (listed alphabetically) have announced their candidacies and will come before the National Nominating Committee at its September 29-30 meeting in Chicago:
AI Members may view the candidate biographies and questionnaires (log-in required) and written input may be provided by 5 p.m. CT, Wednesday, September 24. Correspondence should be addressed to Sandy Adomatis, SRA, chair, 2025 National Nominating Committee, and emailed to Joan Barngrover, board secretary and special assistant to the CEO, at j[email protected].
The Appraisal Institute is seeking individuals interested in serving as the 2026 Vice President of the Appraisal Institute. The 2026 Vice President will succeed to:
If you are interested in serving, or wish to recommend someone for the position, please send a written recommendation to:
Join hundreds of valuation professionals April 14–15, 2026, for the Appraisal Institute Annual Conference, packed with energy, innovation, and connections you won’t find anywhere else.
Our membership keeps growing. We're thrilled to introduce the following new members of the North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute:
Thank you for joining, and we're excited to have you as a part of the NCAI community!
By Jon Hardister and Sebastian King of Elevation Strategies
The NC General Assembly convened for session earlier this week, but no action was taken. They have now adjourned with plans to return for work on September 22nd.
Reconsideration of Value (ROV) requests are becoming more common as consumers, lenders, and regulators look for greater transparency and accountability in the appraisal process. This Trending Topics Thursday webinar will bring together perspectives from Fannie Mae and practicing appraisers to help clarify how ROVs work in practice, what lenders are asking for, and how appraisers can respond while upholding professional standards.
Rachel Beam of Fannie Mae will provide an overview of the GSE’s approach to ROVs, including recent guidance and expectations for lenders. Megan Judd, SRA, AI-RRS, will share insights from her workshop on consumer appraisal appeals, offering practical guidance for appraisers facing ROV requests in the field.
Originally published in the August 22, 2025, issue of AI's Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI
In two recent rulings, the U.S. Tax Court once again signaled that inflated conservation easement valuations will not pass muster. The Ranch Springs (Ranch Springs, LLC v. Commissioner, 164 TC 2025-6) and Beaverdam Creek Holdings (Beaverdam Creek Holdings v. Commissioner TC Memo 2025-53) cases both centered on charitable deductions tied to land conservation, and in each, the court found the taxpayer’s claimed values to be dramatically overstated.
Our membership keeps growing. We're thrilled to introduce the following new members of the North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute:
Thank you for joining, and we're excited to have you as a part of the NCAI community!
Both of the Foundation's resource panels are accepting applications through September 1st. These panels rely on a constant stream of new talent from across the profession to carry out their work to uphold public trust and advance standards of excellence. We need dedicated people like you with a heart for the profession to consider dedicating your time and skills to our work.
Check out the list below to access the application for the group you think best fits your skills and interests.
Recently, 2022 NCAI President Vanessa Hall, MAI, AI-GRS, was featured on the Appraisal Institute's podcast, Face Value. The show, hosted by Tonia Vailas, MAI, AI-GRS, and Warren Boizot, SRA, AI-RRS, discusses news, insights and stories with appraisers and real estate professionals.
In the July 28th episode titled, "WIN and AA, " Vailas and Boizot sat down with Ms. Hall and another fellow AI member, Emily Braman, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, to discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in the appraisal profession. Hall also highlighted her work as chair of AI's Women's Initiative Committee (WIN).
The Appraisal Institute is proud to announce the reopening of applications for the Pathways to Success scholarship, funded by The Appraisal Foundation and administered by the Appraiser Development Initiative (ADI). This scholarship provides full financial support for individuals pursuing licensure through an approved Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) program - offering a flexible and accessible pathway into the valuation profession.
The 2025 program year has already awarded 42 Pathways to Success scholarships supporting a pipeline of future appraisers.
The Appraisal Institute Education and Relief Foundation (AIERF) is seeking nominations from AI members for the Y.T. and Louise Lee Lum Award. The deadline for nominations is July 31st. Nominate Today
The Y.T. and Louise Lee Lum Award recognizes one or more worthy individuals who have made a distinguished contribution to the appraisal profession during the immediately preceding year. The Y.T. and Louise Lee Lum Award is open to both Appraisal Institute members as well as those who do not belong to the Appraisal Institute. Nominators should provide a letter of recommendation and brief biography of the nominee to [email protected] by July 31. For more information on AIERF and the awards, please visit the AIERF website.
NCAI Past President Claire Aufrance, MAI, was elected Chair of the North Carolina Appraisal Board (NCAB), during the June 24th meeting. Formerly the Vice Chair, Claire’s term as Chair began on July 1, 2025, and will run through June 30, 2026. Claire is the first woman to hold the position of Chair in NCAB history.
Among her many professional accomplishments, Claire has served as President of the NC Chapter of the Appraisal Institute in 2016, Chair of Appraisal Institute Region V in 2021 – 2022, and as a member of the Appraisal Institutes’ national board of directors between 2019 – 2022. Claire has been the recipient of multiple Appraisal Institute honor’s including: the President’s Award in 2022, the Women’s Initiative Spotlight Award in 2022, and as a Volunteer of Distinction also in 2022.
Security Bulletin from the Appraisal Institute
We’ve been made aware of recent phishing attempts in which cybercriminals are impersonating the Appraisal Institute to try to steal personal information. These emails may appear convincing but are not from us. Please remain vigilant and follow the guidance below to help protect yourself:
The Appraisal Institute task force composed of five non-officer Directors has begun its work in an effort to help ensure a safe and respectful environment for all staff and members. The group will be reviewing associated policies, procedures and protocols and then will consider what recommendations it might make. The task force is currently reviewing options for outside counsel who will work alongside it.
Once the task force hires outside counsel, they will coordinate and supervise work to clarify best practices; consider existing approaches; and identify and address any gaps. The task force consists of the following members:
The Appraisal Institute would like to recognize some of the brightest, most committed and deserving AI members. If you believe you know an AI member who fits the criteria below for the J. Scott Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award, Outstanding Service Award, William S. Harps DEI Award, or the Women’s Initiative SPOTLIGHT Award, please nominate that person. Submissions for these Awards must be completed by July 31, 2025.
J. Scott Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award
The J. Scott Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an AI member who best demonstrates high ethical standards; contributed to the Appraisal Institute at the chapter, regional, national and/or international level(s); provided service to his or her community; and contributed to the appraisal profession.
By Greyson Morgan, MAI, NCAI President-Elect
NCAI and the Government Relations Committee have been working diligently and have made significant positive progress in recent months at the North Carolina Capitol!
By Emma Abraham, Membership Programs Manager, Appraisal Institute
We recently hosted an hour-long pilot webinar (via Zoom) entitled “Designation Requirement Overview” with the Chicago chapter and intend to host several more this year. The webinar, targeting Candidates and Associate Members, covers the policies and processes of Experience, the Comprehensive Examination, and the Demonstration of Knowledge. If you have a Candidate who has questions about these requirements, please mention that they should keep an eye out for these webinars. Advisors are welcome to attend these sessions to brush up on their knowledge of the requirements. If your chapter or region is interested in hosting one, please let me know.
