CHICAGO (Jan. 8, 2007) –  The Appraisal Institute, the leading organization for professional real estate appraisers, has announced its national officers for 2007: President Terry Dunkin, MAI, SRA; President-Elect R. Wayne Pugh, MAI; Vice President Jim Amorin, MAI, SRA, and Immediate Past President Richard Powers, MAI, SRA. The officers were sworn in during the fall meeting of the Appraisal Institute's Board of Directors, held in Chicago on December 4-5. As the Appraisal Institute celebrates its 75th anniversary during 2007, this new leadership team will be instrumental in guiding various programs and projects throughout the year, including the planning of anniversary events as well as the continuation of a national visibility campaign to increase awareness of Appraisal Institute designated members.

President Terry Dunkin, MAI, SRA

Terry Dunkin, MAI, SRA, is senior vice president and principal of Colliers Pinkard, a full-service commercial real estate company based in Towson, Md. He has served on numerous Appraisal Institute committees, including the National Committee of Regional Chairs, the General Admissions Committee, the Master's Degree Program Committee, the Finance Committee and the Audit Committee. In addition to serving on the national Board of Directors, he is also a past president of the Maryland Chapter. Dunkin had been an appraiser for more than 30 years and has been a member of the Appraisal Institute since 1984.

Dunkin's theme for the coming year is "Connecting With Our Clients." According to Dunkin, "As an organization that's been dedicated for 75 years to the growth of the real property appraisal profession, the Appraisal Institute is proud to recognize our past and we look forward to improving how we connect with our members, clients of appraisal services and the public in the both the United States and global markets."

President-Elect R. Wayne Pugh, MAI

R. Wayne Pugh, MAI, is CEO and founder of R. Wayne Pugh and Company, a real estate consulting and appraisal firm in Baton Rouge, La., since 1975. He has been active in the Appraisal Institute for more than three decades, where he has served as chair of the national Finance Committee, the national Regional Chairs Committee and the Technology Subcommittee. In addition, Pugh serves on the board of the Appraisal Institute?s Relief Foundation. He is the creator and a regular contributor to the Cool Tools column, which appears in the Appraisal Institute's Valuation Insights & Perspectives magazine.
 "Just as the profession of real estate appraisal has changed over the last 75 years, specifically with the introduction of new technologies, the Appraisal Institute has adapted with it," said Pugh. "One constant over this span, however, has been the Appraisal Institute's continual emphasis on the value of our membership and the valuation services our members provide to their clients."

 "The issues of mortgage fraud and predatory lending are likely to be near the top of the agenda for several Congressional committees," noted Bill Garber, Director of Government Affairs for the Appraisal Institute. "It's important that the top real estate appraisal organizations speak with a unified voice to help enact change."

Vice President Jim Amorin, MAI, SRA

Jim Amorin, MAI, SRA, is vice president of Atrium Real Estate Services, a full-service real estate appraisal and consulting firm located in Austin, Texas. Since obtaining his first designation in 1992, he has been actively involved in the Appraisal Institute in the areas of audit, admissions, education, ethics and counseling, and serving in various chapter, regional and national leadership positions. As well as serving as chair of the Audit Committee, Amorin is a member of the Admissions and Designations Qualifications Committee.

 "Through our designation programs, education offerings and public affairs outreach efforts, the Appraisal Institute has maintained its leadership position within the real estate industry," noted Amorin. "And as global boundaries open, the Appraisal Institute is set to continue serving the American real estate profession while expanding to incorporate the global real estate community as well."

Immediate Past President Richard Powers, MAI, SRA

Richard Powers, MAI, SRA, is president and owner of Powers, Smith & Associates, Inc., in Keene, N.H., a company providing both commercial and residential appraisal and consulting services. He has been active within the Appraisal Institute at the national, regional and chapter levels for many years.

During his presidency, Powers reemphasized the need to provide increased benefits and services to both Appraisal Institute members and their clients. Under his leadership the Appraisal Institute expanded their global outreach efforts, continued their national Visibility Campaign and hosted the 23rd Pan Pacific Congress, an international affair that attracts valuers from throughout the Pacific Rim.

As the leading organization for professional real estate appraisers, the Appraisal Institute represents more than 21,000 members worldwide. Members benefit from an array of professional education and advocacy programs, and may hold the prestigious MAI, SRPA and SRA designations. Appraisal Institute members adhere to a strictly enforced Code of Professional Ethics and Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. For more information regarding the Appraisal Institute, please visit www.appraisalinstitute.org