Connecticut chapter of the Appraisal Institute hosts holiday party

Rocky Hill, CT The Connecticut Chapter of the Appraisal Institute held its annual meeting on December 1 at the Dakota Restaurant.  Over fifty members and guests were in attendance. 

Outgoing president Rey Archambault, SRA presented Ralph Biondi with an award for his several years of service on the government relations committee of the Connecticut chapter. Archambault commented that Biondi is “a colleague and friend who has done so much on behalf of our profession and given unselfishly countless hours of his time on an annual basis keeping watch over the Hartford legislative landscape, looking after the affairs and interests of both the appraisal profession and the consumers in Connecticut who rely on unbiased real estate valuation services.” 

Archambault also presented Fred Richards, MAI, with the AI-GRS designation.  Richards also serves as treasurer for District IV of the Appraisal Institute which includes the Connecticut chapter.

Attorney Mike Martone presented the members with an update on lobbying efforts at the state level. Martone represents the Connecticut Chapter as a lobbyist.  Peter Vimini, MAI spoke in favor of continuing the lobbying effort and encouraged the membership to continue to donate generously.

The Connecticut chapter thanks those that brought and donated a new, unwrapped toy for the “Toys for Tots” collection drive.

The installation was conducted by William O’Brien, MAI, Assistant Assessor for the City of Norwalk.  Rummel noted that O’Brien was his mentor when Rummel first started in the real estate appraisal business. 

The following officers were installed:

President – Theodore Rummel, MAI

First Vice President – Peter Vimini, MAI

Second Vice President – Michael Fazio, MAI

Secretary – Albert Franke, SRA

Treasurer – Michael Baldi, MAI

O’Brien also installed the board of directors consisting of immediate past president Reynold Archambault, SRA, Michelle Gamache, MAI, Casper Amodio, MAI, Laurie Mentz Nichols, SRA, Joshua Koladis, MAI, Sarah Miller, MAI, and Marc Nadeau, SRA.   

Nadeau coordinated a silent auction that raised funds for the general operation of the Chapter.  Items auctioned included event tickets, wine, a chartered boat cruise, gift baskets, lottery tickets and rental of a cabin in Maine.

Rummel recognized Jackie Beauchaine, Executive Director of the Connecticut Chapter of the Appraisal Institute.  Rummel stated that Beauchaine is highly respected by the staff of the Appraisal Institute and the leadership of District IV. 

Rummel vowed to continue to maintain the reputation of the Appraisal Institute for providing the highest quality real estate appraisal education.  A list of the educational offerings of the Connecticut Chapter of the Appraisal Institute can be found at http://www.ai-ct.org/ .

The next meeting of the Connecticut Chapter will be on January 25th at the Manor Inn in Plantsville, Connecticut.  Professor Deak will provide an update of US and Connecticut economic conditions. 

Rummel closed the meeting by providing best wishes for happy holidays to everyone in attendance.