Ken Dicks, Appraisal Institute

Like most professional organizations, ours cannot survive without a local grass roots effort, born out of a willingness of individuals to volunteer.

“Learn to lead in a nourishing manner. Learn to lead without being possessive. Learn to be helpful without taking the credit. Learn to lead without coercion.” - Lao Tzu

I first met one of our local Appraisal Institute professionals back in the late 1980's while researching an assignment in the northern Middlesex County marketplace. I was relatively new to this marketplace and upon our encounter I experienced a genuine willingness to assist, an interest in who I was, and was most gracious in opening up his shop and making resources available to me so I could complete my assignment. Little did I know that I would encounter this professional on numerous occasions, over the next 20+ years, in the classroom, at board meetings and at association events. In hindsight it was no surprise that there would be numerous encounters with this exceptional person.

In July, this local appraisal professional from Acton, Massachusetts received recognition by the Appraisal Institute as a Volunteer of Distinction. Excerpts from the press release are as follows:

“..Jonathan H. Avery, MAI, SPRA, SRA, of Acton, Massachusetts, was recognized today as the Appraisal Institute’s July “Volunteer of Distinction” for Region IV… “Jonathan Avery is an outstanding representative of the Appraisal Institute,” said Appraisal Institute president M. Lance Coyle, MAI, SRA. “We are fortunate to work with dedicated volunteers like Jon, who devote their time and energy to advancing the real estate valuation profession in their communities.” Avery is currently serving on the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter’s board of directors. He served as the president of the Greater Boston Chapter of AI in 1992, and was its regional representative from 1996-97, and again in 1999. Avery was a member of the national Appraisal Standards Committee from 2000-06. He received his SRA designation in 1978, and his MAI designation in 1980. The author of numerous real estate articles, Avery has been a columnist for the New England Real Estate Journal for 25 years. He was the president of the Counselors of Real Estate in 1999 and served in a variety of leadership roles.”

Avery’s continued involvement in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter of the Appraisal Institute has contributed to the success of our chapter over the past years, and personally embodies the above quote. I would like to offer a heart-felt thank you to Jon, on behalf of the entire chapter, for his contributions and commitment to the profession and organization.

Other recent recognition: Congratulations to our Newsletter Committee for being recognized by National for the May 2015 edition of our Chapter newsletter.

Ken Dicks is the 2015 president of the Mass./RI chapter of the Appraisal Institute and director residential real estate appraisal risk at Santander Bank, Dorchester, Mass.