Gutmann & Middleton Valuations, Inc., the premier commercial appraisal firm in Dayton, and Wave Appraisal Services, a rapidly growing residential appraisal firm, have merged to form Gutmann & Middleton. The merger will allow the company to provide a full suite of commercial, residential and consultative appraisal services, the companies announced in a release.
Wave Appraisal Services was formed in early 2017 and was born out of the efforts of 40-year veteran appraiser Ron Stickelman, a Certified General Appraiser in four states. After founding Wave, Stickelman named Jason Adams as its President, placing Adams in charge of all day-to-day operations of the company, the release said.
Gutmann and Middleton Valuations, Inc. formed in Dayton in 1985 under the leadership team of Bob Gutmann, who is a Certified Residential Appraiser, while Mark Middleton is a Certified General Appraiser. The merger of the two companies to form Gutmann & Middleton was born out of mutual respect and a sense of commitment to the industry.
“We have a duty to the public, our profession, clients and employees to continue to innovate our business model and approach to what an appraisal firm should be. Gutmann & Middleton will utilize a unique model that enables the company to provide higher quality appraisal services in less time than its competitors,” Gutmann & Middleton President Jason Adams said.
Gutmann and Middleton will become Directors of Gutmann & Middleton and continue to have a strong role in the day-to-day operations of the business.
“As Mark and I began to approach retirement, we were approached by Ron Stickelman about the possibility of merging our two companies. We see this as an opportunity to expand to meet even more of our clients’ needs, strengthen the appraisal profession, and to ensure that the Gutmann & Middleton name continues to be the gold standard in appraisals,” Gutmann said.
The new Gutmann & Middleton now employs more than 15 appraisers, seven appraiser apprentices and a total staff of more than 25, while creating new areas of growth and opportunity for expanding the appraisal profession through the use of trained, registered appraiser apprentices.