Meet David Hallman, Central Area Manager
David Hallman leads a team of approximately 30 staff appraisers in the Illinois area. He is responsible for the quality of the reports his team produces, their regulatory compliance and the service clients receive. David joined Opteon in 2022 and has more than 40 years of experience in the industry.
This month we asked David what the role involves, what he's been focused on this year and what keeps him in it.
What does an Area Manager do at Opteon?
David's job is to make sure his team turns out accurate, compliant reports and that clients get quality service along the way. A large part of that is supporting the appraisers themselves.
“My primary focus is ensuring our team delivers high-quality appraisal reports, maintains regulatory compliance, and provides exceptional service to our clients while supporting the professional development of each appraiser on the team.”
Mentoring appraisers at every stage of their career
David works with appraisers who are new to the profession and with experienced appraisers working through complex assignments. For newer team members that often means helping them build confidence and technical skill. For experienced appraisers it's more often coaching on difficult files.
“I work to create an environment where continuous learning and collaboration are part of our culture.”
How did David's team prepare for UAD 3.6?
UAD 3.6 is the biggest change to residential appraisal reporting in years. For appraisers, it changed how reports are structured and how data is captured. David spent a lot of this year answering questions from his team and walking them through what the changes mean on real assignments.
“I've spent a lot of time answering questions, sharing guidance, and helping appraisers understand what the changes mean in real-world practice. My goal is always to make sure our team feels supported and has the tools they need to be successful.”
He sees the change as a positive one for the industry, helping move appraisal reporting toward more transparency, more consistent data and better efficiency. If you have questions about the transition, our UAD 3.6 Search Engine answers the most common ones from lenders and appraisers: https://opteonsolutions.com/us/uad-3.6-search-engine
Why the work matters to lenders and borrowers
Every report David's team completes feeds into a lending decision. Lenders, borrowers and investors rely on that work being accurate and well supported.
“Accurate, well-supported valuations help lenders, borrowers, investors, and other stakeholders make informed decisions with confidence.”
He's quick to credit the appraisers on his team for that.
“I'm also proud of the professionalism and dedication our appraisers bring to every assignment. The reports they produce help support important decisions, and accuracy, credibility, and quality remain at the center of everything we do.”
The best part of the job
Asked what he enjoys most, David didn't talk about reports or turn times. He talked about people.
“At the end of the day, the most rewarding part of my role is seeing others grow. Whether it's helping a new appraiser gain confidence, supporting someone through a difficult assignment, or watching a team member reach the next step in their career, those are the moments that make the job worthwhile.”
With more than four decades in appraisal behind him, David is now putting that experience to work for the next generation of Opteon appraisers.
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