Book 4 - Appraisal Institute of Canada

professionalarticling as a lawyer and anotheras a chartered accountant. “I couldsee how hard they were workingand I followed suit,” he explains.In May 2006, at the age of 26,David obtained his AACI. It hadtaken him four years.“I wanted to get it done early inmy career, so I could focus on otherthings,” he explains. “That way,when I was ready to get marriedand have children, I would not needto worry about it.”In fact, a little over a year aftercompleting the program, David wassaying his wedding vows. Everythingwas falling into place.Along with freeing up more timefor his personal life, completinghis AACI early on has also allowedthe young appraiser to focus onrapidly expanding his knowledgeof commercial appraising. Peoplehe met during his coursework haveproven to be an invaluable resourcein this professional development.Besides providing him with asolid foundation for developing hisexperience and expertise, taking theAACI courses afforded David theopportunity to connect with manyother appraisers. “If you are takingcourses, try to network as much asyou can with the other students,”he recommends. “Some of myclosest colleagues and friends arepeople I met through UBC. It iscrucial for getting business dataand for helping each other out.”David believes that appraisersshould always have mentors, notonly when they are Candidates,but throughout their entire careers.Since being nurtured by his first‘official’ mentor, Rolf Halvorsen,AACI, P. App, David has enjoyed theguidance of other senior appraisersincluding Brian Gettel, the otherAACI in the office. (The firm alsoencompasses a Candidate appraiseras well as ‘The Network,’ a divisionwhich tracks all commercial sales inthe Edmonton area.)Despite a busy schedule, Davidhas also found time to volunteer.As a Candidate, he startedvolunteering with the EdmontonChapter, planning local appraisalevents. He now also serves onthe Appraisal Institute of Canada’sCommunications Publicationssub-committee. “Volunteering issomething I have always felt wasimportant,” he explains. “It is aboutgiving back.” He adds that beinginvolved with the Institute providesyet another avenue for developingas a professional.“There are always opportunitiesto learn and to grow,” he says.“The possibilities are endless. Thatis one reason I love this job. It isa fantastic field. I look forward togoing to work, and, at the end ofthe day, when I finish a report, I amproud that my name is on it.”Over the past year, David hasdeveloped increasingly efficientbusiness processes by usingtechnology — including shorthandrecognition software — to supporthis work. He enjoys the challenge ofconstantly producing higher qualityreports while expanding the rangeof properties he can appraise andthe services he can offer. AlthoughDavid is still in the process offormulating a new five-year-plan,he already knows he would like tobecome proficient in such areas asexpropriation, litigation and surfacerights. With an AACI already underJason WhiteBased on thedemographics, if Iwork hard and gainas much experienceas possible now,I know I will be avaluable asset foryears to come.his belt, he is well equipped fora promising future in commercialappraising.On the other side of the country,Jason White’s star is alsorising. After becoming a Candidatewith Atlantic Realty Advisors(ARA) Fredericton Appraisals inMay 2006, he is finishing his lastcourse and preparing to start hisdemonstration appraisal report inthe spring. The 28-year-old anticipatesobtaining his AACI designa-C a n a d i a nAppraiserE CVolume 51 • book 4 • 2007 valuateura n a d i e n 19