President's Message

02/01/13

Dear Chicago Chapter Colleagues:

What are two common traits you find in all Fortune 500 Companies and top performers in any field?  For one, they are in contact with their peers - associating, networking, making time for face-to-face meetings; staying in touch and being aware of trends as well as sharing expertise and market knowledge.

Secondly, top performers and leaders in their respective fields are always in pursuit of best practices! And you can find both here in our Chicago Chapter.

Our next Member Meeting is on February 26, 2013 at Wildfire (159 W. Erie Street, Chicago); 11:30 bar opens; 11:45 lunch; finish by 1:45.   Our guest speaker, Ms. Nasutsa Mabwa, is project manager with McCaffery Interests and is responsible for the transformation of the nearly 600-acre U.S. Steel site into a mixed-use LEED-ND Platinum community on Chicago's southeast lakefront.  Winner of the 2008 Women in Real Estate Bright Horizon Award, a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Roosevelt University, a member of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Executive Women) and the Urban Land Institute, Ms. Mabwa will update our Chapter on what is one of the largest developments in the country.  Register at CCAI.ORG under the education link, hit the "view all courses/seminars"  that will take you to the AI online registration system.  Scroll down until you see "CHICAGO LAKESIDE" hit the register button.or call  LA to assist...312.616.9400

Congratulations to our newest designated member of 2013 - Adam H. Samuels, SRA!

Why earn the designation? Why join the Appraisal Institute and Chicago Chapter? Visit www.appraisalinstitute.org/airesources/ and www.appraisalinstitute.org/about/  to see what members Chris Baker, MAI, SRA and Chip Wagner, SRA had to say.

Designated members, please consider becoming an Advisor. This is an opportunity to offer encouragement to our Candidates. AI President Rick Borges, MAI, SRA will lead a free 1-hour webinar on WED, 2/20/13 (AI Webinars, "Candidate for Designation Program - for Advisors").

The AI Leadership Development and Advisory Council will convene this year in Washington,D.C. on May 21-23.  Each year, a few representatives of our Chapter attend the council to discuss relevant appraisal issues of the day as well as to lobby Congress re appraisal-related legislation. Applications are due by March 9th.  Space is limited. Contact the Chapter Office for information.

Low values? Listen to comments in defense of appraisers from past AI National & Chicago Chapter member Joseph C. Magdziarz, MAI, SRA. www.appraisalinstitute.org/newsadvocacy/media.aspx

Colleagues, I remain open to any comments or suggestions you may have. Have a great First Quarter of 2013!  

For Your Chicago Chapter,
Paul R. Gillespie, MAI