Louisiana Chapter Members,

I would like to thank you for your support to allow me to serve as your 2010 President of the Louisiana Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. For the past several weeks we have been completing the transition to my tenure as President. I would like to thank all of you for your support and time in getting this complete. As a volunteer organization we welcome participation to help make our Chapter a success.

We wrapped up 2009 by reestablishing a honored tradition of the Officers Installation Dinner at Flemings in Baton Rouge. At that event outgoing President Bill Kipf SRA was presented his 2009 Chapter President’s Plaque. This event was had not been done in a while and we thought it a good idea to reestablish it. At the end of my tenure we hope to schedule this event in Shreveport in an attempt to solidify the Chapter.

For 2010 we are planning to go back to the four meeting schedule where we can sponsor a good continuing education offering as well as conduct Chapter Business. The meetings will be held throughout the state so all can participate. We need attendance at these meetings and most importantly volunteers to serve on our various committees. In the case of emerging issues such as the introduction of the new 1004MC form we can put on short programs to address these needs. The Chapter is to unveil a new Chapter web site which will be more dynamic than the current site. It will be populated with Chapter news, numerous links, new member recognition to name a few.

The past two years have been very a very challenging time for the appraisal industry and 2010 will not be any different. The industry in 2010 will be facing the continued challenges from regulators, AVM, AMC, HVCC and numerous other groups special interest groups. The Appraisal Institute has a Governmental Relations Committee that monitors ongoing legislation that effects the appraisal industry throughout the country. I had the pleasure to serve on that committee last year. This Committee was one of the most busiest and most important committee for our industry and the Appraisal Institute. At present there are three bills in Baton Rouge that have an impact upon our industry that need to be addressed. We will need to keep our legislative efforts ongoing to protect our industry.

As part of the Appraisal Institutes strategic plan is member development. The organization is as strong as its membership and we need new candidates and designated members. We have numerous candidates that need that extra push to complete their designation. This is a priority as my tenure as President. As members all of us are recruiters so I am calling upon all of you to increase our Chapter Membership.

Please feel free to call or e-mail Dee Marcus our Chapter Executive Director or I should you be in need of assistance. I look forward to meeting all of you at our upcoming education offerings.

Best Regards,

F. Miller Guice Jr. MAI President
Louisiana Chapter Appraisal Institute