Name: Rick Hiton- MS, IFAS, LEED GA
Company: Rick Hiton & Associates
Location: Chicago, IL
Years Appraising: 37
About:
Mr. Hiton is President and Owner of Rick Hiton and Associates, one of the largest and oldest real estate appraisal and consulting firms in the Chicagoland area. He has held various leadership positions in the appraisal industry, including the 2015 President of the Illinois Coalition of Appraisal Professionals (ICAP), considered one of the leading appraisal coalitions to affect change in the appraisal industry. He currently serves on the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers (NAIFA) Chicago Chapter Board. Mr. Hiton holds the IFAS designation from the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers and a Master’s of Science Degree in Real Estate and Urban Economics. In 2016, Mr. Hiton completed the Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership Program, a Certificate Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University. Hiton provides expertise in sustainability and environmental impact as a certified LEED Green Associate and is committed to the green building movement. He is also certified by the Appraisal Institute in Commercial/Residential Solar Valuation. Finally, Mr. Hiton currently serves as the Director of Sustainability for Accurity Valuation, providing Corporate Sustainability as well as LEED Green consultation at a national level for one of the largest appraisal firms in the nation.
Nominating statement:
Rick Hiton is one of the Premier LEED Green Appraisers in the United States. He is the first valuation professional to complete the Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership Program, a Certificate Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University. The program is bringing new ideas and modalities to the valuation profession.
How did you get into the appraisal industry?
I was hooked the first day of my first real estate class in college. I have an affinity for construction, development and urban economics. The appraisal profession led me on my path for working in the various modalities.
What do you like most about being an appraiser?
Our industry is ever evolving with constant challenges and changes. I really enjoy problem solving, and being an agent of change training appraisers and working in the LEED and Sustainable fields.
What is one thing you do or have done to make the appraisal profession better?
In the past I have enjoyed serving the industry in leadership positions and working on the various challenges it faces. The last four years have been a metamorphous of my career by becoming a LEED GA, completion of the AI Green program with emphasis on Solar Valuation and completing the Harvard Program which includes being a cohort continuing member: I am in a position with Accurity Valuation, as their Director of Sustainability, to impact our profession in many ways. I am currently working on a Corporate Social Responsibility program with a national veterans group known as Bunker Labs. Bunker Labs is part of the 1871 Chicago Incubator startup technology hub who are transforming opportunities for young veterans in various industries and we are their mentors and advocates for the appraisal profession. In short I am looking to bring new life to the profession! All of this keeps me very busy with never a dull day at the office.
