Course Scholarships are awarded to Associate Members active in real property valuation who need financial assistance to complete Appraisal Institute courses leading to state certification or the MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, or AI-RRS designations.
College Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate or graduate students who concentrate on or demonstrate an interest in real estate appraisal and/or valuation.
The North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute would like to congratulate Barry Grant Hitchner, Jr. for earning the prestigious SRA designation. Mr. Hitchner is a graduate of Appalachian State University (Go Mountaineers!!) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Real Estate and Urban Analysis. He obtained his state appraiser’s license and real estate broker's license while still in college. He later became state-licensed in 1990 and state-certified in 1993. Mr. Hitchner is the owner of PGI Appraisals, which was established in 1999 and is headquartered in Mooresville, NC. His work primarily focuses on Iredell, Mecklenburg, and Cabarrus Counties, and the entire Lake Norman market.
Mr. Hitchner and his wife, Jennifer, are both native residents of Charlotte and currently reside in the Mooresville area. They have two adult sons: Jackson, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, who resides in Houston, TX, and Greyson, who holds appraiser certifications in North and South Carolina and resides in Charlotte, NC. As a native Charlottean, Mr. Hitchner enjoys the Hornets and the Panthers. When not working or subjecting himself to Charlotte professional sports torture, he and his wife enjoy spending time on Lake Norman.
In honor of International Women’s Day, the North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute would like to recognize the women in past and present leadership.
As a Chapter, expanding our inclusion of women and encouraging leadership makes us stronger. We would like to highlight those that are currently serving in Chapter leadership positions along with the NCAI Presidents that came before us.
Welcome to our newest #NCAI members! We're thrilled to introduce the latest additions to our community:
Evan Beale
Associate Member
Welcome to our newest #NCAI members! We're thrilled to introduce the latest additions to our community:
Please give them a warm welcome when you see them around! We can't wait to see how their unique talents and perspectives enrich our community.
The North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute would like to congratulate Barbara A. Johenning for earning three prestigious Appraisal Institute designations. Ms. Johenning earned her MAI in 2012, the AI-GRS in 2020, and, most recently, the AI-RRS. Her appraisal career started at Integra Realty Resources – Miami in 2000. She began taking AI courses shortly afterward and immediately became involved with the South Florida Chapter.
“From the start, I realized that the coursework and education provided by the Appraisal Institute was superior to any other courses I had taken, and being the personality type that I am, I continued my appraisal education in search of designation after achieving my state certification. I have not regretted that decision in the least, as achieving my designation(s) has been a keystone of my career achievements.” ~ Barbara A. Johenning, MAI, AI-GRS, AI-RRS
The North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute would like to congratulate David Wortman for earning the prestigious MAI designation. Mr. Wortman is located in Hickory, NC, and is part of the Infrastructure Practice Group with Cushman & Wakefield. His work is focused on right-of-way and eminent domain appraisals in North Carolina and beyond. His wife, Tammy, is also an appraiser trainee with Cushman & Wakefield. Mr. Wortman and his wife were both teachers before moving into the appraisal world full-time.
Mr. Wortman was in attendance at the NCAI Q1 Chapter Business Meeting, held March 12th at HopFly Brewing Company in South End. As part of the business meeting program, Mr. Wortman, along with our recent designees, was recognized for earning his MAI designation.
The North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute would like to congratulate Zachary Northcott for earning the prestigious MAI designation. Mr. Northcott owns NorthStar Valuation Services, LLC, which is based in Hickory, NC. Mr. Northcott’s work is focused on general commercial appraisal assignments in western and central North Carolina. He also specializes in appraising convenience store properties in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Mr. Northcott would like to extend special thanks to his wife, Elisabeth, for her support during long hours taking courses and studying while working on his designation, and to his daughter, Penny, for keeping his spirits up!
Keeping You Informed
One of my goals for the year is to keep members better informed. Members often write me with their concerns and I answer each one. I have also been posting responses to the most frequently voiced concerns on LinkedIn. Members most often ask about governance and operational matters. Transparency is a priority, and I want to ensure you have clear, accurate information on important topics like financials, membership trends, advocacy efforts, international travel and PAREA.
This year's Nominating Committee will meet soon to nominate qualified chapter members for 2026 elected positions.
Participation from our designated members, candidates, and practicing affiliates is vital to the Chapter and is critical in advancing our organization and the profession.
This year's Nominating Committee will meet soon to nominate qualified chapter members for 2026 elected positions.
Participation from our designated members, candidates, and practicing affiliates is vital to the Chapter and is critical in advancing our organization and the profession.
Learn from 3 different appraisers in South Carolina how they got started in the appraisal business and how they got to where they are today—moderated by our own Vanessa Hall, MAI, AI-GRS.
The North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute would like to thank Barry and Tracy Pomeroy for their $5,000 donation to the Scholarship Fund in honor of their son, Rudy Pomeroy, MAI, SRA. Mr. Pomeroy has been an active member of NCAI since 2009 and is currently serving as a member of the chapter's Board of Directors. Mr. Pomeroy has also served as a Region V Representative on behalf of NCAI, as the Chair of the Public Relations Committee, and as a member of the Candidates / Practicing Affiliates Committee.
Mr. Pomeroy owns AAA Valuations, headquartered in Belmont, NC, and has provided professional real estate appraisal and valuation services in North and South Carolina since 2017. The company specializes in eminent domain and condemnation appraisals for public entities throughout the state. Their projects involve valuations of uneconomic remnants, damages from various sources including but not limited to access and visibility, the estimated cost to cure analysis, and typical diminution damages from right-of-way and easement acquisitions. AAA Valuations takes pride in providing service excellence daily and works hard to communicate early and often with their clients. Their primary objective is to provide professional real estate services that are timely and cost-effective for their clients. The ultimate goal at AAA Valuations is “To make our client look good. We pride ourselves on our strong work ethic and sound judgment in assisting our clients with their valuation needs. AAA Valuations is proud to have women and minority representation within our ownership structure, reflecting our commitment to diversity and inclusion. AAA Valuations’ commitment to staff engagement supports our initiative to attain and maintain a diverse workforce, leading to high performance and productivity.”
As winter approaches, thousands of WNC families remain in need of critical supplies and materials to recover and rebuild. Your donation goes directly toward purchasing supplies, fuel, and equipment for the families of WNC. Please click one of the links below:
On December 5th, 30+ members and guests celebrated at the 2024 J. Scott Robinson Installation Ceremony and Q4 Chapter Business Meeting, held in Western North Carolina at the Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock.
In support of rebuilding Western North Carolina and in the holiday spirit joined together to mingle and enjoy food and drinks. Mike Elwell, MAI, SRA gave his final address as the 2024 President, and the 2025 officers were installed, including incoming President, Kelli Mayhew, MAI, SRA. We were pleased to welcome Paula Konikoff, JD, MAI, AI-GRS, President for 2025 for the Appraisal Institute to give a State of the Union. Her presentation discussed 92 years of Appraisal Institute and how the profession has changed and is moving forward. Paula gave the Installation for 2025 new officers for the chapter. The event also highlighted the most recent designated members, Spencer Brown, MAI, and Micheal Sollitto, MAI.
We’re excited to offer our dedicated members an exclusive 20% discount on all publications in our bookstore. Elevate your industry knowledge with the latest insights and research—our way of acknowledging your dedication. Use promo codeTHANKS24 at checkout. Offer valid until December 31, 2024.
To show our appreciation, we offer all members who pay their renewal invoice in full by January 6, 2025, a discount code for one seven-hour online (on demand-only) Appraisal Institute course (excluding USPAP).
Furthermore, we have enacted the following changes to renewals in 2025:
The High Country is open for business amid its recovery and welcomes us to its communities with open arms. Whether you're sampling local cuisine, skiing pristine slopes, or browsing unique boutiques, Blowing Rock offers an enchanting mountain getaway for the whole family. Join us on December 5th at the scenic Chetola Resort as we wrap up 2024 and welcome our 2025 leadership team.
What is your name, title, and company?
Michael Sollitto
Where do you live and what do you work for?
I live in Waxhaw and work for Newmark on the Hotel team covering 7 states in the southeast as well as the Caribbeans, Mexico, and Central Americas.
