Employee background:

I have an undergraduate and a graduate degree in real estate finance. Most graduates head towards brokerage or finance for perceived prestige. Out of college I landed an internship as a commercial real estate analyst and eventually a brokerage position for Iowa Realty Commercial. Brokerage taught me to understand the differing opinions of each party to the transaction and that value is a dynamic, constantly moving target. After several unpaid deals I quickly gravitated towards the analytical side of the transaction. The valuation profession is multifaceted allowing for various career paths which is difficult to replicate in other CRE industries. Our firm is aggressively pursuing right of way, litigation, and impact study assignments, which is a foreign language to the brokerage community.

What is your title and what do you do at Valbridge?

I am the Senior Managing Director of Valbridge Kansas City. I manage a team of great appraisers and review most multi-family, market study, and consulting assignments that come through our office.

How did you become a part of Valbridge?

When I left the brokerage industry, Laird Goldsborough was generous enough to entertain an interview. I was instructed to take Appraisal Principles, Procedures, and USPAP and reach back out if I was serious about the industry. After six months of classes and discussions I relocated from Des Moines to Kansas City to train under Bernie Shaner, MAI and Laird Goldsborough, MAI. After 14 years Laird has yet to get rid of me, though I have successfully managed to shed him . . .

What are your specialty areas?

I am actively involved with apartment, right of way, and consulting work, which is a growing business line of our firm. My team completes on average 200 annual apartment assignments ranging from traditional to senior housing, market rate to LIHTC, and new construction to historic conversions.

What are some of the most interesting projects you've worked on at Valbridge?

I recently finished a right of way project for a proposed project in downtown Kansas City. The location of the project will require several 100-year-old buildings to be razed and existing tenants (office and multi-family) to be relocated. The process was extremely educational and managing the expectations of various parties was challenging and rewarding.

What do you like most about working at Valbridge?

This is my third year teaching real estate valuation at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The graduate level program has greatly expanded my understanding of value and confidence in my daily work. I encourage anyone interested in additional education to consider a graduate degree in real estate as a supplement to the Appraisal Institute courses. Knowledge is power!

Additional information:

This is my third year teaching real estate valuation at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The graduate level program has greatly expanded my understanding of value and confidence in my daily work. I encourage anyone interested in additional education to consider a graduate degree in real estate as a supplement to the Appraisal Institute courses. Knowledge is power!