The Appraisal Institute, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers with nearly 22,000 professionals in almost 60 countries, presented awards to eight appraisal professionals at the Appraisal Institute Annual Meeting Aug. 6 in Austin, Texas.
Peter Bowes, MAI, of Denver and Reaves Lukens Jr., MAI, SRA, of Gladwyne, Pa., were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Michael Miller, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, of Richmond, Va., and Charles Lentz, MAI, of Orlando, Fla., were named the recipients of the Outstanding Service Award.
Four individuals also received the Appraisal Institute’s President’s Award.
“It was a tremendous privilege to recognize the achievements of these dedicated individuals, who have helped advance the Appraisal Institute and the valuation profession as a whole,” said Appraisal Institute President Ken Wilson.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an Appraisal Institute professional who demonstrates high ethical standards; has volunteered several years of service and has contributed to the Appraisal Institute on the international, national, region and/or chapter level; has served his or her community; and has contributed to the appraisal profession for at least 20 years.
Bowes has served the valuation profession for 45 years, and he has mentored many appraisers who have received the Appraisal Institute’s MAI designation. He has served as president at both the national and chapter levels, and his national committee service includes Education and Strategic Planning. He was the 1986 president of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers (an Appraisal Institute predecessor organization), is a current member of AI’s Colorado Chapter and is a long-time Appraisal Institute instructor.
Lukens Jr. has served the valuation profession for a half-century, and his contributions to the Appraisal Institute and its predecessor organizations include serving as national and chapter president. He is a member of the Philadelphia Metro Chapter and served as 1984 president of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers. Additionally, he is a long-time Appraisal Institute instructor who has lectured at universities such as Temple, Rutgers and Penn State. His community service has included school boards, planning commissions and the Union League.
The Outstanding Service Award is presented to an Appraisal Institute professional who contributed ideas, service hours and dedication to ensure a program or effort was implemented at either the chapter, region, national or international level; is instrumental in the success of the program or effort, which must be far enough along to measure and provide proof of success; and the program or effort must be beneficial to chapters, regions or national or international professionals.
Known for providing education for his employees to further their designation aspirations, Miller has positively impacted careers in his home state of Virginia and across the country. Known as an advocate for the profession within the Appraisal Institute and from outside AI at the state legislative level, he has sat on the Appraiser Regulations Board for the state of Virginia for several years. His service to the Appraisal Institute includes several years on the Admissions and Designation Qualifications Committee, and he has served on demonstration report committees and panels.
Lentz’s dedication to the valuation profession spans four decades, including making significant contributions to the Appraisal Institute’s demonstration appraisal curriculum. After starting his career as a teacher in Indiana, he moved to Florida, where he has been appraising since the 1970s. He has served on numerous committees within the Appraisal Institute’s East Florida Chapter and currently sits on its Education Committee. He also has served on the Appraisal Institute’s national committees, including the Admissions and Designation Qualifications Committee and other demonstration-related committees. He also has taught many classes over the years, including at the University of Central Florida.
This year’s President’s Award recipients were Craig Harrington, SRA, AI-RRS, of Chaska, Minn.; Paula Konikoff, JD, MAI, AI-GRS, of New York; Richard Borges II, MAI, SRA, AI-RRS, of Seymour, Ind.; and Leslie P. Sellers, MAI, SRA, of Clinton, Tenn.
The President’s Award is presented to Appraisal Institute professionals who are committed to the organization; are currently engaged in its activities; are an effective spokesperson; a representative at all times; and in touch with both the needs of other AI professionals and the changes that the organization must help its professionals to meet.