Every five years, the MBREA celebrates another milestone in its life. This year, we are celebrating our 80th Anniversary with a dinner at Lombardo's in Randolph.
We also use these five-year anniversaries to recognize individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the appraisal professions. These professionals, appraiser or not, are inducted into an Appraisal Hall of Fame MBREA established in 2009.
What are the characteristics of a Hall of Famer? The key element is a professional lifetime of accomplishment that has enriched the appraisal professional. For example, a 2009 honoree was Tim Warren, Jr. of The Warren Group. Warren was recognized for creating a comprehensive database of public records and assessment data in the New England states. The Real Estate Records database of The Warren Group is a valuable tool for appraisers as well as the source of public record data found in many other service providers' systems.
MBREA membership is not a requirement, either. In 2009, the Hall of Fame welcomed Charles Akerson and Steven Byrnes.
The 2014 class of inductees is equally diverse, including David Bunton, president of The Appraisal Foundation and economist Karl Case. The remaining inductees have exemplary careers, not only as appraisers, but also as educators, mentors and contributors to the growth of appraising as a profession.
The process of choosing the honorees is challenging. The profession is blessed to have many contributors who have made it their mission to work for the greater good of the appraisers everywhere. The Hall of Fame committee solicits and receives many nominations. These nominations are made by friends, colleagues and family members. Often, one person is nominated by several different people.
Once the nominations are closed, the committee's hardest job begins as they evaluate each nominee's credentials for selection. With a numeric goal for the number of inductees in mind, the committee is faced with difficult decisions about who will make the final cut. Is the selection process perfect? No. The committee acts with the best intentions at heart as they make a final decision.
There is good news and more good news from the perspective of the Hall of Fame committee. First, the people being inducted into the Hall of Fame have been chosen because they are worthy and deserving of the honor. Second, the committee completed the task knowing that there are several highly qualified nominees available when the next committee takes on the task for MBREA's 85th Anniversary.
MBREA and its members have two reasons to celebrate this year. MBREA stands alone with its 80th year track record of being the leading source of education, information and standards for real property valuation professionals. And, we welcome into the Hall of Fame these nine individuals who have earned the recognition bestowed upon them by their peers: Robert Bostrom, RA; David Bunton, president, The Appraisal Foundation; Karl Case, Ph.D., economist; Steven Elliott, MRA; Paul Giroux, MRA; Mary Granville, MRA; Chester Nicora, MRA; William Pastuszek, MRA; and Peter Tetreault, MRA.
Stephen Sousa is the executive vice president of the Mass. Board of Real Estate Appraisers, Dedham, Mass.