Ryan Christie has managed an “INC 500 Fastest Growing” real estate appraisal company, based in Northern California, for the past several years. Ryan has grown their market cap by over 800 percent, while at the same time facing a market that has been less than friendly to the average appraisal shop. Many feel that his leadership has allowed the company to grow into a regional powerhouse in the west, with additional offices in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix. Ryan’s philosophy bucks the industry trend towards panel management aggregation and the market’s infatuation with exotic collateral valuation products – he employees over seventy full time appraisers and is best known for developing a rigorous and highly-sought after training program for future valuation experts.



My first job in the settlement industry was as a real estate appraiser. My family has a long tradition of involvement in the local real estate market--Realtors and mortgage brokers--so my decision to join the appraisal industry seemed to be a natural fit. From there, I could draw upon several years of background concerning the ins-and-outs of what make markets move. My only regret is that I didn't get started until after I had spent considerable time down the "financial analyst" career path. .



I like when we take on the $25 million dollar residential appraisal assignments. There are very few firms that are entrusted with transactions of that magnitude. We get a few of them each month--in the $10 million to $30 million-dollar range--and are really challenging for the most part. The assignments force us to use all of our intellectual firepower, and are seldom a walk in the park. You have to bring your "A" game for sure, as the margin of error is in the millions!



I'd tell people "You have to believe in yourself if you expect others to". If you allow yourself to be governed by your fears and insecurities, you'll never ever succeed. Life is about risks, and risk taking--if you encounter neither, you haven't lived.



I'd say that the most unusual assignment we have taken recently, was appraising an entire mountain in Plumas County, CA. Just the sheer scope of the assignment was mind-boggling. Most definitely unusual, and I can say hands down the most challenging assignment we have taken in a long time.



I have been fortunate to have been mentored by Paul Chandler, M.A.I.. Paul's approach to the appraisal industry is refreshing and definitely insightful. Together we're able to combine years of experience, with a zest for innovation in the collateral valuations industry, and really shake things up in the process. I don't think either one of us has ever strayed away from a challenge by taking the easy road, or as a result, my appreciation for my industry grows immensely.



Wow, this one is so tough, it's almost not a fair question...I'd say that if I could choose anyone, I would have to choose Jesus Christ. Whether you are religious or not, you cannot deny the ultimate impact that he had, and still has, on the history of man. What an opportunity that would be! Can you imagine how the lunch would be? Is it a restaurant or are we sitting in his office? Does a waiter come over and explain the daily specials? I would love to have lunch with him, though I am not sure I would have much of an appetite. Then of course there are the obvious ones like Osama Bin Laden, Hitler, Pol Pot, and Stalin. Those lunches also require that I have a Smith and Wesson and a Louisville Slugger on hand, and would be over very quickly--once again I don't think I'd have an appetite. I'd call those a "working" lunch.



The people that surround me. This includes our employees, partners, clients, vendors and of course, all of our families that provide us the flexibility and support needed to pursue our goals.



I once tried out for the new Star Search in Hollywood. I sang--if you can call it that--"a capella" in front of two judges and about 40 other contestants, as part of the competition. I won a Karaoke competition so I automatically was entered into the Star Search competition. I did not make it to the final round, but look back at the event and am glad I at least tried.



I grew up loving the "Star Wars" movies. What classics! I'm not a fan at all of the three new "prequels" because I think they have lost the very important human connection that the originals had. You just can't root for a computer-generated character like Jar-Jar Binks or the minions of aliens, the same way you could get behind the maverick Hans Solo!



I have been involved in Habitat for Humanity since 2003. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing a family that would otherwise not have the chance to own a home, settled into their first one. The group really does a wonderful job at making meaningful dreams come true--truly life changing work.

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