The Appraiser Development Initiative (ADI) held its first Beyond the Desk event in early March 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. The event brought together approximately 55 ADI scholars from around the country who are actively working toward careers in the appraisal profession.
Robert Baird, Eastern U.S. Regional Manager, attended the event representing Opteon along with ADI Scholars and Opteon trainees, Tracy Deng and Ibeliz Alvarado. Robert said was also great to reconnect with Niesha Hinton, a former ADI scholar who has since become a certified appraiser with Opteon and continues to be an outstanding example of the program’s impact.
The multi-day event was designed to go beyond traditional classroom learning by combining networking opportunities, educational sessions, and real-world application. Throughout the weekend, scholars participated in panel discussions and interactive learning sessions that focused on the skills and knowledge appraisers need to succeed in today’s evolving valuation environment. The event even included an on-site property inspection, giving scholars practical exposure and the opportunity to immediately apply what they had learned.
Educational sessions covered several timely and relevant topics, including the growing role of technology in the appraisal process, an overview of the upcoming UAD 3.6 changes, best practices for property data collection, and role-playing scenarios focused on USPAP compliance and effective client communication. These discussions created valuable dialogue around expectations in the field and reinforced the importance of accuracy, ethics, and professionalism.
Niesha and Robert had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion during the Saturday Lunch and Learn, where they shared insights from their own professional experiences in the industry.
And, on Sunday, Niesha led a group of ADI scholars through a property inspection, demonstrating Opteon’s JaroInspect technology, highlighting how technology can improve efficiency, consistency, and data quality during inspections.
“Niesha was once my trainee, so seeing her confidently leading scholars, teaching inspection best practices, and answering questions was truly a full-circle moment for me. It also served as a reminder of the long-term value that mentorship and structured development programs like ADI can provide,’ Robert said.
ADI is an outstanding program that attracts talented, motivated, and passionate individuals to the appraisal profession. Events like Beyond the Desk help bridge the gap between education and practice while strengthening the future of the industry. “I would strongly encourage anyone who cares about the appraisal profession to consider getting involved with ADI in some capacity,” concluded Robert.
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