The North Carolina Appraisal Institute was pleased to send four representatives to LDAC this year; Erica Butler, MAI, Keith Bolte, MAI, AI-GRS, Brian Crowder, MAI, SRA and Laura Gourlay, MAI, AI-GRS.

First, we are proud to announce that Erica Butler, MAI, has been selected as a 2027 Discussion Leader—an exceptional honor for both Erica and our Chapter. This year’s selection was highly competitive, with approximately 25 third-year participants applying. Erica is also the 2024 Anglyn Award recipient, and our Chapter continues to benefit from her outstanding leadership and contributions at LDAC.

Julian Rondello’s session highlighted strategies to move the Appraisal Institute forward through stronger collaboration and innovation. A key takeaway was the value of chapter-developed courses and events from across the country—successful, real-world programs that can be shared and implemented more broadly to enhance member engagement and deliver greater nationwide impact.

Hilary Jones’ session explored the growing role of artificial intelligence and its impact on the appraisal profession. A key takeaway was the importance of transparency—appraisers should document any use of AI in their work files, with particular attention to recording prompts utilized. The session also sparked thoughtful discussion around the ethical considerations of AI, emphasizing the need for responsible and informed adoption as the profession evolves.

Chris Stickney’s session emphasized the critical role of leadership at both micro and macro levels. A central theme of the session was distinguishing between leadership and management. Stickney highlighted that while management focuses on processes, structure, and execution, leadership is about vision, influence, and guiding people through change. Understanding when to apply each skillset is essential for driving results and fostering growth.

George Koiso’s session challenged attendees to consider a fundamental question: are we playing to win, or playing not to lose? His discussion centered on the perception that the Appraisal Institute has recently taken a more reactive than proactive approach, urging leaders to adopt a more forward-thinking mindset. A highlight of the session came in his final presentation of the week, where participants collaborated to rewrite the Institute’s current verbose mission statement to the recommended: “Serving public trust through valuation expertise.” This exercise reinforced the importance of clarity, purpose, and intentional leadership in shaping the future direction of the organization.

In addition to the sessions, participants met with their legislators to ask for their support for the PAL Act (H.R. 5520) which was reintroduced in the House in September 2025 with new sponsors.

Sincerely,

Greyson S. Morgan, MAI

President
North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute