Lee Ackermann, ASA

Leroy L. Ackermann, ASA
Your ASA Governor for Region 9

I would like to welcome everyone to the 2004-2005 year session of ASA activities. I was unable to participate in a good many ASA activities the past year because of illness. I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and diabetes two (2) putting me in the hospital and into a recuperating mode for approximately eight months. I am back on my feet and prepared to represent Region 9 as strongly as I know how. I must thank Noel Burndahl, ASA for watching over things in my absence along with Georgie Stillman, ASA. I am very proud of the San Diego Chapter and the manner they have been performing.

For those not familiar with me I am an Accredited Senior Appraiser in the Machinery & Technical Specialties Discipline designated in Cost Surveys residing in the Los Angeles Chapter. I held the position of Region 9 Governor from 1992-1995. I am past International Chairman of the Technical Valuations Committee and helped combine the International Machinery and Equipment Committee and the Technical Valuations Committee into the current Machinery and Technical Valuations Committee. I held the position of Chairman of the California Coalition of Appraisers from 1997-2000.

Over the years I have served as member and Chairman of the Region 9 Committee helping to provide some eleven (11) Region 9 Seminars. I currently serve as Secretary of the ASA Educational Foundation. I am a member of the ASA M&TS Committee and a member of the ASA Constitution and By-Laws Committee.

As a member of the Los Angles Chapter I held offices of Secretary, Vice-President and President of the LA Chapter, Chairman of the Chapter Examining Committee a number of years, Chairman of the Chapter Speakers Bureau, and currently I am Chair of the LA Chapter Web Site.

When I am not involved with ASA I operate an appraisal practice "Ackermann & Tinker Appraisal Specialists" from Glendale, California. I look forward to working with everyone in Region 9 this coming year and hopefully ASA will once again be moving into a positive direction both membership wise and financially. The San Diego Chapter has become the Flagship Chapter for ASA and a model all Chapters should try to emulate.

Thanks to all who joined us for the Summer Planning Lunch & brainstorming session.

We are looking forward to implementing many of the program ideas generated. This month's program and the moderated discussion for the October 19th meeting are the direct results of meeting.

Pamela Bensoussan, ASA, Receives 2004 Historic Preservationist of the Year

Pamela shown with
Chula Vista Mayor Steve Padilla

Pamela Bensoussan, ASA received "2004 Historic Preservationist of the Year". Pamela was presented with this award by Chula Vista Mayor Steve Padilla at the Beautification Awards Dinner held August 19th at the Chula Vista Country Club.

She is recognized for her leadership on numerous committees and civic organizations that promote the preservation and enhancement of Historic sites, including the Resource Conservation Commission and the Heritage Museum Executive Board.

The award also acknowledges her continued stewardship and preservation of the historic Greg Rogers House.

The following applications for Advancement or New Member have been received. If you have any comments on the application(s) please contact Membership Chairperson Georgie Stillman, ASA.

Greg Tesone , Candidate, Business Valuation – Advancing to ASA
Pamela Bensoussan, ASA, Oriental Rugs – Advancing to a 2nd ASA Designation in Antique Furniture

Happy San Diego ASA New Year!

Georgie Stillman, ASA

September welcomes back our regular monthly educational and networking meetings after the 'dark' period in July and August. I always look forward to seeing my friends and colleagues after the short hiatus.

This is my fourth term as your San Diego ASA Chapter President, the first time was 1979 – 1980. I have reaped enormous benefits from my affiliation with our San Diego members. Our monthly exchanges of appraisal techniques, discipline knowledge and business enhancement ideas keep me on my toes, given me fresh perspective on the best professional practices and how to apply them in my own work. I am a better appraiser because of the opportunities for educational and professional growth offered by our monthly meetings. I encourage each one of you to participate in the work of the Chapter as a volunteer; you'll be a more prosperous and productive professional for your efforts.

Every year your officers and committee volunteers try to present meaningful programs – some focus on general appraisal techniques and professional issues common to all ASA members, and some spotlight discipline-specific topics. It is clear that attendance is driven by relevant programs.

If you have a desire to get more out of the monthly ASA meetings, I encourage you to step forward and volunteer to plan a meeting around the topic that interests you. Give me a call or email to discuss your ideas.

Georgie Stillman, ASA

Economic Uncertainty Since 9/11

As I write this 'new year' message, the third anniversary of September 11, 2001 is on my mind. Three years ago, on the morning of the first ASA meeting of that ‘new year', my Mother called to me as I woke, saying "Georgie, turn on your TV, something terrible is happening."

Within 30 minutes I was speaking with our EA Margy Ashby, making a decision to cancel the ASA meeting that night. At that moment on that horrifying day no one knew if the freeways would be open or if San Diego would be the next target. Our Regional Governor Mark Johnson, ASA and the ASA International Executive Director Ted Baker were to be our meeting speakers that night – with Ted having left the DC area on an early flight. When I spoke to Mark on his cell phone soon after talking with Margy, I found he had been diverted from his office in the tallest building in LA and was trying to fight the freeway mess back to his home, and no one knew where Ted was. Well, Ted was finally found in St. Louis, grounded, as were all flights. After a while, life resumed.

For the remainder of 2001 I added an "Economic Uncertainty due to 9/11" clause to all Market Analysis sections of my appraisal reports. Interestingly enough, I am currently using a similar statement, due to the volatility of the stock market, the uncertainty of interest rates, the uncertainty of the value of the dollar, the uncertainly of oil prices, and the threat of terrorist attacks. This uncertainty (wow, lots of uncertainty) has a profound affect on the market for art, antiques and residential contents.

From my corner of the profession, I find the low-end and middle-market in San Diego county has suffered deflation. The very top end of the market, the most desirable and pristine of ‘tangible personal property’ is sky high, prices in some cases having doubled since the rebound after 9/11. Since even the richest estate has a preponderance of middle-low end collectibles, the economic climate in San Diego country means that if I did a Fair Market Value appraisal for a Trust in 1989 (a very high market), and am asked to conduct another Fair Market Value appraisal today, on the death of the 2nd spouse, my values on the bulk of the items are likely to be substantially lower than at the time of the first valuation. People are generally shocked as they seem to have bought into the fallacious notion that "art & antiques always appreciate."

The latest folly (in my opinion a scam) is the emergence, once again, of "Investment mutual funds of Art & Antiques". Interesting that this guaranteed way of parting innocents from their money is once again being discussed, just as many items are suffering a deflationary trend.

Let us have your comments on the state of the economy, as you see it in your part of the appraisal profession, and we will publish it in this Newsletter.

Georgie Stillman, ASA

The Easement Puzzle: Putting It All Together

Now, an intensive, full-day symposium brings together the leading figures in tax law, conservation and historic preservation to answer your questions about one of the hottest tax law topics.

Friday, October 22, 2004 - The Academy for Educational Development (AED) Conference Center - Washington, D.C.
Register by September 22 and save $50!

ASA Appraiser Paul Golubovs Unveils His Musical Talent In

Unveil Your Love – A Collection Of Songs

This new two-CD album of 18 original romantic songs is a collaboration between San Diego antique appraiser Paul Golubovs, ASA, who wrote the lyrics and John Sokoloff, a classically trained pianist of Culver City, CA. who composed the music.

Addressing the cycle of love lost and regained, the album’s songs are performed by eight talented soloists and musicians. It was recorded at Culver City’s vintage Sunburst Recording Studio. The studio’s Grammy winner and five-time Grammy finalist, sound engineer Bob Wayne, contributed his well-honed talent to the project.

Composer John Sokoloff’s past work includes music for CBS’s Bonnie Hunt Show (Worldwide Pants Productions) and the production of four CDs of his instrumental compositions. For lyricist Paul Golubovs, also known to us as San Diego ASA Chapter’s Past President, the album is a debut release. We wish him much success with his musical career -- as well as his continuing and rapidly expanding appraisal and litigation support practice.

For more detailed information about the project including song lyrics, singers’ bios, and production photos, go to www.UnveilYourLove.com.

Why I Go to the ASA International Conference

ASA President Larry Phillips
entertains Conference attendees

David Bowie, Candidate, Gems & Jewelry

I knew I'd be going to this conference early on. I haven’t missed an ASA International Conference since 2002 when I joined ASA.

Why the passion?

There are a number of reasons - the professional bonds, close friendships, and networking opportunities are the primary ones. I consider getting to see top notch appraisers once a year a privilege. Just talking to everyone over dinner or drinks is professionally enlightening.

There are only about 200 members in the ASA’s Gems and Jewelry discipline, very small compared to the other disciplines. We have members that are tops in their field like David Wolf, appraiser of the World Trade Center jewelry losses, Don Palmieri and Jerry Ehrenwald who each have international gem labs that provide diamond certificates for the trade. There is Greg Sherman who has formerly run a famous lab and is always on the cutting edge of technology when it comes to new diamond and colored stone treatments. Nancy Stacy is the cornerstone of the education wing of G&J. Nancy is the standard bearer of how a proper appraisal should be done and she shares her experience with all of us. I could go on and on.

Reflecting on their China training
programs are instructor Nancy
Stacy, graduate student Liu Ping
& ASA President Larry Phillips

The people I have the privilege of attending lectures and socializing with are amazing individuals. Every conference I stay up until the early hours of the morning with one or more appraisers discussing new marketing strategies and ways to improve our appraisals and our businesses. The Conference attendees seem to be the most dedicated individuals in our field.
Well, if you can’t guess by now, my motiviation for attending the Conference is not just what I learn from attending the lectures. It is what I gain from being around the best people in our industry. After attending a conference I am anxious to get back to my office, just to implement all I have learned.

Yes, I'm looking forward to going again next year and it’s not because the lectures are great or the conference location is wonderful. It isn’t because it only costs $600 dollars plus hotel and airfare. It's because I get more out of attending the conference then it costs me.

If you've never attended or it has been awhile, do yourself a favor and go. Get involved with the best in your field. It makes you feel good and you learn a great deal. You cultivate new friendships and become more prosperous. Do it for yourself.

Updating your contact information insures that when a prospect tries to reach you via the San Diego Chapter or ASA International websites, that you get the message. Since the information is retained in two separate places, please take the following two steps and you won't miss that next big one!

Update information on the San Diego Chapter website by contacting Jan Giamanco of G-Force Services - 619-501-5444.

The ASA International website requires that you login to their Member Only area to update your information. Once logged in, click the Update Membership Record button on the left.

For details about the ASA San Diego Chapter, contact information for Chapter Officers or to locate/contact an ASA designated appraiser to meet your needs, please visit our web site at SanDiegoAppraisers.org or call 1-619-781-8588.

This newsletter is published monthly (September through June) as a service to the ASA Members and the community it serves. If you would like to receive this publication, please contact Georgie Stillman - 619-563-9000.

Newsletter Editor - Georgie Stillman, ASA
Newsletter Published by G-Force Services