As First American Mortgage Solutions has taken a more visible role in the appraisal industry, Chief Appraiser Alan Hummel has gained notice for his work.

For more than 30 years, Hummel has been a leader in the industry, serving as the national president of the Appraisal Institute and on the board of trustees of The Appraisal Foundation, a press release stated. The Collateral Risk Network (CRN) named Hummel its 2017 Valuation Visionary Award recipient.

He has testified before the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives on appraisal issues, and continues to be invited to speak nationwide to banking associations and numerous real estate industry groups on valuation trends and standards of practice. He is an approved instructor for the Appraisal Institute and an Appraisal Qualifications Board-certified USPAP instructor.

“I, and my colleagues at Forsythe Appraisals and First American, have played a role in in affecting some of the positive changes. But, I believe any changes that have already occurred will pale in comparison to the monumental transformation — for the better — that is on the horizon,” Hummel told Valuation Review. “This is why I’m so grateful to be a part of the Collateral Risk Network. The CRN is the ideal environment in which to forge a vision of what our industry could be, and identify ways to make that vision a reality.”

CRN is a group of chief appraisers, collateral risk managers, regulators, and valuation experts focused on resolving challenges facing the appraisal profession. These collateral valuation stakeholders engage in open dialogue to find solutions, provide thought leadership, and act as counsel to each other and to the profession, the press release said.

 “While the award is essentially an acknowledgement of past accomplishments, I prefer to keep my vision firmly focused on the future,” Hummel said “The appraisal profession has undergone significant change in the past decade, especially as it relates to technology and regulations.” 

 “As a chief appraiser, Alan Hummel has exemplified everything we stand for,” CRN said. “He has been the driving force behind a great many of the improvements and innovations we implemented at Forsythe Appraisals and he has been a champion in the use of technology and data to effect positive change on the speed, efficiency, and quality of residential appraisals.”