Time to brush up on the writing skills. I will try to avoid the bullet points and snippets we have all become so accustomed to in our every day lives, and to not bore you with superfluous information and details.
Early on in my career it was instilled in me, by my first mentor, Diane Gilbert, MAI, that the only way to be a true professional and to succeed in the real estate appraisal business, is to pursue and embrace the Appraisal Institute.
The Appraisal Institute has led this profession for more than 80 years by developing professional standards, developing an unparalleled body of knowledge, and delivery program of tools and benefits to ensure those served are done so at the highest level the profession has to offer.
My path to designation was common in the profession - fits and starts early in my career, interrupted by life complications and responsibilities. The elusive final steps to designation were completed with the full support of my family and another mentor in my life, Paul Leary, longtime city of Worcester assessor and personal friend.
I was invited by chapter leadership to become involved with the local initiatives on the committee level. Based on the values instilled in me by my father: "you are not self-made; apply yourself and associate yourself with the best people, and best organizations; measure success not by what you accumulate on a material level but accumulate experience, including failure - and success will come to you." It was not a difficult decision to become involved.
My committee chair, led to organizing a strategic planning initiative, then participating in the leadership development advisory committee (LDAC), then board of director, and nomination to officer. The path to this position is designed to be an eye opening experience, to test your abilities as an advisor and executive. Opportunities for understanding, to persevere, year after year, and implementing core goals of the Appraisal Institute are plentiful.
Our local organization has an extremely talented group of individuals, who take seriously their roles: our executive administrator now entering her 25th year of service; the best educational providers; a strong group of volunteers, with organizational experience and the desire to advance the cornerstones of this profession - integrity, aptitude and giving back to the community.
I look forward to challenges that lie ahead. Our organizational goals for 2015 include continued delivery of the highest level of appraisal education, including professional offerings in "Green Valuations"; ensuring development of fair and equitable legislation in Rhode Island for mandated Appraisal Management Licensure; and establishing and developing a program to ensure long-term goals of the organization are met.
I would like to leave with a quote from one of my favorite icons in American History, Henry Ford. "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young." So friends, associates and peers I leave you with - Stay Young for 2015 and beyond.

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.