NCAI Honors Leaders for International Women's Day

Saturday, March 8, 2025

In honor of International Women’s Day, the North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute would like to recognize the women in past and present leadership.

As a Chapter, expanding our inclusion of women and encouraging leadership makes us stronger. We would like to highlight those that are currently serving in Chapter leadership positions along with the NCAI Presidents that came before us.

Welcome to our newest #NCAI members! We're thrilled to introduce the latest additions to our community:

• Evan Beale
  Associate Member
  

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The North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute would like to congratulate Barbara A. Johenning for earning three prestigious Appraisal Institute designations. Ms. Johenning earned her MAI in 2012, the AI-GRS in 2020, and, most recently, the AI-RRS.  Her appraisal career started at Integra Realty Resources – Miami in 2000.  She began taking AI courses shortly afterward and immediately became involved with the South Florida Chapter. 

“From the start, I realized that the coursework and education provided by the Appraisal Institute was superior to any other courses I had taken, and being the personality type that I am, I continued my appraisal education in search of designation after achieving my state certification.  I have not regretted that decision in the least, as achieving my designation(s) has been a keystone of my career achievements.” ~   Barbara A. Johenning, MAI, AI-GRS, AI-RRS

Welcome to our newest #NCAI members! We're thrilled to introduce the latest additions to our community:

• Karen Drury – Affiliate Member
• Diamond Staton-Williams – Associate Member
• Stephanie Forloines – Associate Member
• Tracy Simpson – Associate Member

Please give them a warm welcome when you see them around! We can't wait to see how their unique talents and perspectives enrich our community.

The North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute would like to congratulate David Wortman for earning the prestigious MAI designation. Mr. Wortman is located in Hickory, NC, and is part of the Infrastructure Practice Group with Cushman & Wakefield. His work is focused on right-of-way and eminent domain appraisals in North Carolina and beyond. His wife, Tammy, is also an appraiser trainee with Cushman & Wakefield. Mr. Wortman and his wife were both teachers before moving into the appraisal world full-time.

Mr. Wortman was in attendance at the NCAI Q1 Chapter Business Meeting, held March 12th at HopFly Brewing Company in South End. As part of the business meeting program, Mr. Wortman, along with our recent designees, was recognized for earning his MAI designation.

The North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute would like to congratulate Zachary Northcott for earning the prestigious MAI designation.  Mr. Northcott owns NorthStar Valuation Services, LLC, which is based in Hickory, NC.  Mr. Northcott’s work is focused on general commercial appraisal assignments in western and central North Carolina.  He also specializes in appraising convenience store properties in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Mr. Northcott would like to extend special thanks to his wife, Elisabeth, for her support during long hours taking courses and studying while working on his designation, and to his daughter, Penny, for keeping his spirits up! 

Important Upcoming Deadlines
Apply by Friday, February 28th

Join the Leadership Team

This year's Nominating Committee will meet soon to nominate qualified chapter members for 2026 elected positions.

Participation from our designated members, candidates, and practicing affiliates is vital to the Chapter and is critical in advancing our organization and the profession.

This year's Nominating Committee will meet soon to nominate qualified chapter members for 2026 elected positions. 

Participation from our designated members, candidates, and practicing affiliates is vital to the Chapter and is critical in advancing our organization and the profession.

Women's Initiative Committee Seminar - How I Got Started
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST

Learn from 3 different appraisers in South Carolina how they got started in the appraisal business and how they got to where they are today—moderated by our own Vanessa Hall, MAI, AI-GRS.

Register Now

2025 Economic Outlook: Navigating Trends and Opportunities
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

On December 5^th, 30+ members and guests celebrated at the 2024 J. Scott Robinson Installation Ceremony and Q4 Chapter Business Meeting, held in Western North Carolina at the Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock.

In support of rebuilding Western North Carolina and in the holiday spirit joined together to mingle and enjoy food and drinks. Mike Elwell, MAI, SRA gave his final address as the 2024 President, and the 2025 officers were installed, including incoming President, Kelli Mayhew, MAI, SRA. We were pleased to welcome Paula Konikoff, JD, MAI, AI-GRS, President for 2025 for the Appraisal Institute to give a State of the Union. Her presentation discussed 92 years of Appraisal Institute and how the profession has changed and is moving forward. Paula gave the Installation for 2025 new officers for the chapter. The event also highlighted the most recent designated members, Spencer Brown, MAI, and Micheal Sollitto, MAI. 

We’re excited to offer our dedicated members an exclusive 20% discount on all publications in our bookstore. Elevate your industry knowledge with the latest insights and research—our way of acknowledging your dedication. Use promo codeTHANKS24 at checkout. Offer valid until December 31, 2024.

Shop Now

THANK YOU
Your Membership Means the World to Us!

To show our appreciation, we offer all members who pay their renewal invoice in full by January  6, 2025, a discount code for one seven-hour online (on demand-only) Appraisal Institute course (excluding USPAP). 

Furthermore, we have enacted the following changes to renewals in 2025:

• No annual CPI increase in national dues this year.
• No more late fees.
• Practicing Affiliates and Candidates will now pay the same national dues rate of $400.
• Elimination of pro-rated, add-on dues for Designated Members achieving an additional designation only in the year they achieved that additional designation between February and October.

Renew Today

The High Country is open for business amid its recovery and welcomes us to its communities with open arms. Whether you're sampling local cuisine, skiing pristine slopes, or browsing unique boutiques, Blowing Rock offers an enchanting mountain getaway for the whole family. Join us on December 5th at the scenic Chetola Resort as we wrap up 2024 and welcome our 2025 leadership team.

 Register for Q4 Chapter Business Meeting

Local Restaurants

• Storie Street Grille
• Bistro Roca
• Restaurant — Gideon Ridge Inn
• The Inn at Crestwood (crestwoodnc.com) (The Table)
• Gamekeeper Restaurant | An Adventure In Wild Game Fine Dining (gamekeeper-nc.com)
• The Beacon (boonebeacon.com)
• The Cardinal | Boone, NC (thecardinalboone.com) – excellent burgers and brews
• Melanie's Food Fantasy (melaniesfoodfantasy.com) – for the best breakfast in town
• The Local (thelocalboone.com)
• Brewery | Lost Province Brewing Co | Boone - for excellent pizza and brews
• Wild Craft (wildcraftboone.com)

Family Fun

• High Country Choose & Cut Christmas Trees (highcountryhost.com)
• The Blowing Rock—Saturdays with Santa at The Blowing Rock—November 30—December 22 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm—Enjoy a special visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and clear winter views from North Carolina's Oldest Attraction. Admission is free for children and accompanying paid adults.
• Crazy Christmas at Mystery Hill - December 1-31, Daily—Special holiday activities and events happen throughout the season. Visit the free light tunnel starting mid-November and take your photo!
• The Children's Playhouse (goplayhouse.org) is a wonderful children’s museum and play place for children ages 0 to 8.
• Bouldering | Center 45 Climbing | Boone – for adventure enthusiasts who want to experience rock climbing in a safe and fun environment. 

Outdoor Activities

• Appalachian Ski Mtn. - North Carolina Ski Resort (appskimtn.com)  (Ice Skating and Snow Skiing)
• Sugar Mountain Resort – Sugar Mountain, North Carolina (skisugar.com)
• Beech Mountain Resort - Skiing, Snowboarding, and More
• Hawksnest Tubing | Best Snow Tubing in North Carolina

What is your name, title, and company?
Michael Sollitto

Where do you live and what do you work for?
I live in Waxhaw and work for Newmark on the Hotel team covering 7 states in the southeast as well as the Caribbeans, Mexico, and Central Americas.

On behalf of the Appraisal Institute Education and Relief Foundation (AIERF), I am reaching out to chapter leaders seeking nominations for the James H. Pritchett Award. The James H. Pritchett Award was created in 2002, in memory of the late James Pritchett. The Pritchett Award recognizes a Designated member of the Appraisal Institute for outstanding contributions to appraisal education or mentoring with a focus on litigation and condemnation. The ideal candidate is someone like Mr. Pritchett who displays leadership, integrity, and exceptional work in teaching, writing, mentoring, and professional practice in litigation support and eminent domain.

If you know a Designated member worthy of consideration, please email the name of the nominee and a brief letter of recommendation to [email protected] by July 31. Announcement of this and other AI and AIERF award recipients will take place during the Appraisal Institute’s Joint Region Meeting on September 30 in Kansas City.  

Originally published on June 6, 2024, by the Appraisal Institute. 

The Appraisal Institute, the leading association of real estate appraisers, released the second in its series of short videos profiling valuation professionals. Each video highlights their professional commitment to the public trust and their communities and shows different ways that appraisers bring high-level professional expertise and experience to their work.

On Thursday, June 13th, members and guests gathered at Cape Fear Country Club in Wilmington, NC for our Q2 Chapter Business Meeting. During our meeting, we had a chance to celebrate our newly designated members, Michael Sollito, MAI, Jared Randhawa, MAI, Thomas D. Petz, MAI-GRS, and Heather A. Anderson, AI-GRS.  The North Carolina Chapter had a chance to vote on next year's Chapter leadership, hear committee updates, and learn what the Chapter has done so far this year and what lies ahead for the summer and fall. We hope to see you at the Q3 Chapter Business meeting in Charlotte in September.

Photo Album