SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Guild of Appraisers (AGA) today announced that the Coalition of Arizona Appraisers (CoAA) has voted to affiliate their organization with the American Guild of Appraisers.
In a meeting held in Scottsdale, Arizona on May 8, 2012, a quorum of the Coalition of Arizona Appraisers met with leaders from the AGA and Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) and finalized the affiliation. “The issues that face us as individual appraisers today reach far beyond our individual states; to think anything less would be naive,” said John Dingeman, vice president of CoAA.
“The government and financial industry groups have been attempting to dictate the appraisers’ collective future,” said Ann Susko, president of CoAA. “Although attempts have been made by others and other groups, their effectiveness has been limited by the lack of cohesion and ability to have sustained leverage on events and issues that shape the future of the appraisal profession. It is time to adjust our strategy and reassert ourselves collectively to meet these challenges. This affiliation provides us with better access to the ‘decision makers’ and more clout to fight damaging consequences to appraisers. Although affiliated, CoAA will remain an autonomous association.
“Core to our mission is the important involvement and support of state coalitions,” Susko continued. “The contribution of these professionals through their local organizations is rapidly increasing the strength of our collective voice for the real estate appraiser while also improving the outlook for these professionals in the home jurisdictions,” said Peter Vidi, president of the AGA. Kevin Kistler, director of organization and field services with OPEIU officiated the signing of the agreement and thanked the CoAA for their support and partnership.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN GUILD OF APPRAISERS/OPEIU GUILD 44 – The American Guild of Appraisers/OPEIU Guild 44 seeks to represent the interests of appraisers, developing a strong presence before the U.S. Congress and each of the state legislatures. By working closely and exchanging dialog with other like-minded organizations, the AGA works to educate consumers about the appraisers’ non bias, independent role in the value process, while ensuring the accountability of both the appraisal profession and the financial institutions with which the appraiser provides services.
ABOUT OPEIU – Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) represents more than 108,000 members in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. OPEIU represents employees and independent contractors in banking and credit unions, insurance, higher education, shipping, hospitals, medical clinics, utilities, transportation, hotels, administrative offices and more.
ABOUT CoAA – The Coalition of Arizona Appraisers (CoAA) is a non-profit organization of licensed and certified licensed Appraisers practicing in the state of Arizona. CoAA’s primary focus is to lobby for legislative and regulatory changes to advance the appraisal profession in the State of Arizona, but CoAA will also work hard to increase the public and real estate industry’s awareness of the need for quality appraisals and services. CoAA’s mission is to represent the appraisers in Arizona with a united voice through non-partisan communication with the other appraisal organizations, other business-related organizations, legislative bodies, and government agencies, while fostering the public trust.
SOURCE American Guild of Appraisers/OPEIU Guild 44
Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1bSAE)