Our membership keeps growing. We're thrilled to introduce the following new members of the North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute:
Associate Member
The North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute would like to congratulate William Christopher Morris for earning the distinguished MAI designation. Chris has been employed with IRR-Raleigh since July of 2017. His coverage area includes southern Virginia and all of North Carolina. He covers all property types for lenders, owners, funds, municipalities, and government agencies for both lending purposes and eminent domain purposes.
Chris's father, Chris R. Morris, MAI, FRICS, Senior Managing Director at Integra Realty Resources, is a long time member of NCAI. Says Chris of his son, “Christopher has displayed significant perseverance in his journey from researcher to trainee to certified general appraiser to MAI. During this process, he’s quickly expanded his competency for the primary property types, along with the eminent domain sector. In addition, he has developed meaningful relationships with top brokerage professionals across NC and the Southeast. I’m ecstatic for both of us that the destination has been reached.”
We're excited to introduce the membership to our new executive director, Jonathan Lugo. Jonathan brings to NCAI a strong background in youth development and nonprofit leadership, bringing over 15 years of experience to the organization. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Jonathan relocated to Charlotte, NC three years ago to begin a new chapter, continuing his passion for helping people and building meaningful connections.
A graduate of CUNY Baruch College, Jonathan has a diverse professional background that includes program development, event planning, and sports management. He also holds a foundation in commercial dance and has always been driven by creativity, community impact, and high-energy environments. Jonathan is an avid sports fan—especially basketball—and enjoys volunteering whenever possible to give back to his community.
All,
I wanted to let you know that today the Appraisal Institute Board of Directors determined it was no longer tenable for Craig Steinley to continue as an officer. Effective immediately, he is no longer vice president nor a member of the Board of Directors.
I know this has been a painful period for our members and our wider community. This had become a matter of the wellbeing and trust of the Appraisal Institute as an organization, which is greater than any one individual. Separately, the court process will bring out the facts in the Cindy Chance lawsuit. As soon as we’re able to share more information about outside counsel investigation of these matters, we will.
Now also is the time for the Appraisal Institute to act – with the help of independent outside counsel – to ensure our policies, protocols and actions reflect best practices and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to fostering a safe and respectful environment for all members and staff.
I don’t want to be repetitive here, but the reality is these efforts take time. We will round back to you when we have further updates, and please know we are moving with all thoughtfulness and due speed.
Paula
By Brian Crowder, MAI, SRA, 2025 NCAI Treasurer
Leadership Development and Advisory Council (LDAC) 2025
May 14-16, 2025 | Washington, D.C.
Our membership keeps growing. We're thrilled to introduce the following new members:
Associate Member
The first annual Appraisal Institute Legislative Day was held in conjunction with the Leadership Development and Advisory Council (LDAC) meeting May 14-16, in Washington, DC.
(L-R): Keith Bolte, Erica Butler, Richard Earley, Brian Crowder and Laura Gourlay
This slate is presented by the North Carolina Chapter’s 2025 Nominating Committee, comprised of: Michael Elwell, MAI, SRA (Chair); Vanessa Hall, MAI, AI-GRS; Joyce Pusey, SRA, AI-RRS; Joel Tate, SRA; and Chris Johnson, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS.
The underlined below denotes the members selected to fill the positions listed. Approval of this slate will be voted on at the Q2 Chapter Business Meeting held in High Point, NC on June 11, 2025.
Thursday, May 22, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CT)
Join AI for a candid conversation with two leading chief appraisers—one in commercial real estate and one in residential—as they share what they’re seeing across the profession today.
The Main Point
The Appraisal Institute is facing a crisis. In this message, you will learn about the events that have occurred to date, how the fallout has impacted us, and what we can do to move forward.
Background
On Thursday, May 8th, the New York Times published an article titled “Appraisal Trade Group Accused of Covering Up Sexual Harassment and Test Flaws.” You can read it here. Many disturbing allegations were made in the article including wrongful termination and sexual harassment claims by a former employee.
Byron Miller, SRA, AI-RRS, was nominated for 2026 Appraisal Institute vice president by the AI National Nominating Committee at its May 7 meeting in Chicago.
National Nominating Committee Chair Sandy Adomatis, SRA, submitted the committee’s nomination to the AI Board of Directors. Board members may file petitions for additional nominees in accordance with the Appraisal Institute Bylaws. The AI Board of Directors is expected to elect the 2026 vice president at its August 14-15 meeting.
NCAI Government Relations Committee Chair Shepherd Overton, MAI, attended the North Carolina Appraisal Board meeting on April 22, 2025.
The highlight of the meeting was a presentation by John Russell and Peter Fontana representing the Appraisal Foundation. The theme of their presentation was alternative experience, and the ways the Appraisal Qualification Board was exploring to allow for experience outside of the traditional appraisal writing route. The main thrust was the experience assessors have around the country, the classes they must take, and what their output looks like, i.e., a mass appraisal. The presenters spoke about a possible path for these types of alternative valuation professionals and how their experience, plus appropriate state testing, could be a pathway toward appraisal licensing. They noted some discussion is underway regarding whether assessors who might qualify for their experience would be required to submit sample reports to state boards prior to licensure. The presenters addressed how this aligns with the current problems facing the traditional path and finding supervisors.
NCAI had a very good day at the NC Capitol on Tuesday, April 29th for Legislative Affairs Day. Team NCAI was represented by a phenomenal group of members, including Kelli Mayhew, Mike Elwell, Vanessa Hall, Erica Butler, Richard Earley, Nathan Pippin, Greyson Morgan, and Shep Overton. NCAI was joined by our NC lobbyists Jon Hardister and Sebastian King of Elevation Strategies, LLC, and by AI Director of Legislative Affairs, Scott DiBiasio. Our lobbyists were absolutely pivotal in promoting and protecting our interests.
Front Row (L-R): Jon Hardister, Erica Butler, Kelli Mayhew, Linda Nelson, Greyson Morgan, and Scott DiBiasio. Back Row (L-R): Richard Earley, Vanessa Hall, Mike Elwell, Nathan Pippin, Shep Overton and Monica Long
All trainees, licensed residential, certified residential, and certified general appraisers are required to complete 28 hours of CE by May 31, 2025, to renew on time. Seven of the 28 hours must be the 2024-2025 7-Hour National USPAP Update. Hours that exceed the requirement do not carry over into the next CE cycle.
All registrations, licenses and certificates expire on June 30, 2025, and must be renewed before this date to maintain an active status. If you do not renew by June 30, 2025, your registration, license, or certificate will expire. Any person who acts as a trainee, licensed, or certified real estate appraiser while expired shall be subject to disciplinary action and penalties as prescribed by the NC Appraiser’s Act.
By Erica Butler, MAI, and Keith Bolte, MAI, AI-GRS
The North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute was well represented at the recent REVCO joint regional meeting, with Kelli Mayhew, MAI, SRA; Erica Butler, MAI; Greyson Morgan, MAI; and Keith Bolte, MAI, AI-GRS in attendance. The meeting brought together professionals from multiple regions to collaborate, share insights, and discuss key developments shaping the appraisal profession.
Leadership in the NC Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and the NC Professional Appraisers Coalition continue to work together to oppose Senate Bill 690. In fact, today, NCAI President Kelli Mayhew, MAI, SRA, and NCPAC President Linda G. Nelson, submitted a letter to Senator Danny Earl Britt, Jr.; Senator Todd Johnson; and Senator Eddie D. Settle of the Committee on Commerce and Insurance concerning SB 690 (see the letter below).
The chapter is immensely grateful to the tireless efforts of NCAI Government Relations Committee Chair Shep Overton, and Scott DiBiasio, Director of Government Affairs for the Appraisal Institute, for leading our legislative push to protect NC appraisers from the unintended consequences of multiple bills introduced this spring, including SB 690.
The first annual Appraisal Institute Legislative Day will be held in conjunction with the Leadership Development and Advisory Committee (LDAC) meeting on May 14-15. This is an opportunity for all appraisers to help shape the future of the appraisal profession by engaging in grassroots advocacy on Capitol Hill:
Your Voice. Your Advocacy. Your Impact.
The time to act is NOW. Please join your leadership team in Raleigh, NC, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to lobby and educate our legislators on Senate Bill 690. Reach out to Government Relations Committee Chair Shep Overton ([email protected]) to confirm your availability, obtain more information about the bill, and for assistance in scheduling an appointment with your elected representatives.
Important Legislative Day Documents
At its May 8-9, 2025, meeting in Chicago, Illinois, the Appraisal Institute Board of Directors will consider proposed amendments to the Appraisal Institute Bylaws. The proposed amendments include in part:
The Board Meeting and Motions Project Team (BMMPT) believes that the proposed amendments will help clarify and streamline processes for special and regular meetings of the Board of Directors. The proposed amendments are expected to have minimal financial impact.
During recent Fair Housing Month forums hosted by the Maryland and New Jersey Civil Rights Commissions, Scott DiBiasio, the Appraisal Institute’s Director of Government Relations, delivered a series of pointed, public questions challenging ongoing claims about appraisal bias. His remarks, made during two separate events on April 11 and April 14, raised critical concerns that continue to go unanswered.
Speaking during both sessions - each focused on equity in valuation - DiBiasio challenged the narrative that appraisers are the root cause of racial disparities in property values:
