Ken Dicks, Appraisal Institute

In reviewing the past 12 months, I have come to appreciate the adage “many hands make light work.”

The MA&RI Chapter of the Appraisal Institute’s mission is to support membership, deliver world class appraisal education and providing support to candidates towards the achievement of professional designation. This cannot be achieved without the dedicated individuals, with exceptional leadership skills. First and foremost, our chapter is held together by one exceptional individual, whose experience and insight provides the needed fabric to hold the organization together and keeps the organization on a forward progression. Our executive director, has been serving our chapter for more than 20 years. On behalf of the organization, I want to thank Lianne Andreucci for her service and dedication.

Our chapter achieved national recognition on two fronts: recognition of Jon Avery, MAI, SRA as a volunteer of distinction; and our Chapter Newsletter Committee from 2014 for receiving the Chapter Newsletter award for medium size chapter.

Thirteen individuals have achieved designation in 2015. Designations awarded included MAI, SRA, AI-GRI and AI-GRS, the count, and spectrum of awarded designations, is a testament to the level of professionalism and dedication we have in Mass. and R.I.

Special recognition is due for the Hewitt and Hope Scholarship Committees, whose dedication and support of candidates have been instrumental to procuring sustainability of membership by providing scholarship support to our Candidates for Designation. The 2015 Hewitt/McKenney/Kinsella Golf Tournament led by Joe Comperchio, SRA provided a great opportunity for local membership and sponsors to support the Hewitt Fund.

Other behind the scenes volunteers include an actively engaged membership who have participated in the Advisors program, providing the support of candidates on their path to designation.

The Rhode Island Branch Chapter was actively engaged in providing education and maintaining an active role in the leadership of the chapter and providing support to the Rhode Island members and affiliates. Many thanks to Fred Eichmann, MAI, SRA chair of the RI Branch Chapter and the RI Branch Chapter leadership.

The education calendar included a full slate of Qualifying Education, USPAP and Continuing Education. Attendance totaled more than 400 students. A special thank you to Ed Bowler, MAI, SRA and John Drew, SRA for pulling together the 2015 education programs.

The 2015 Appraisers Expo, the joint education event with the MA&RI Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and the MBREA was a huge success. This could not have been done without the cooperation between the two organizations, and the heavy lifting by John Mello, SRA, Steve Sousa of the MBREA, and Lianne Andreucci.

I would also like to thank Joe Comperchio, SRA immediate past president, John Mello, SRA, vice-president, Karen Friel, MAI treasurer and Bud Clarke, MAI secretary and the 2015 directors for stepping up and stepping in.

And last, but not least, I would like to recognize our chapter sponsors, Blake and CBRE. The financial support of our sponsors ensures the continuation of a local, viable chapter supporting our members, candidates and affiliates, to provide the highest level of professionalism in our local communities.

A very safe and happy holiday season to you all, and thank you for the opportunity to serve.

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.