ASA April News

Dear fellow ASA NorCal members,

As we welcome spring, we’re excited to offer a full lineup of educational and networking opportunities, as well as chances to volunteer and join the ASA Northern California Chapter Board. The new board term begins in July 2025 and runs through June 2026—join us and help shape the future of our chapter!

We’re also proud to endorse and support former NorCal Chapter President Bharat Kanodia's campaign for Region 3 Governor. See our message below for more details.

On May 1, we will be gathering for Happy Hour at Sante Adarius Rustic Ales.

Unwind at one of Oakland’s top breweries, enjoy excellent craft beer, connect with colleagues, and make new friends.

On May 8, Valuation expert Bharat Kanodia will lead a webinar on how to grow sales.

June 10, is Wayne Thiebaud’s Art Market: From Iconic Desserts to Cityscapes to Portraits. Save the date! Esteemed fine art appraisers Fran Zeman, FASA, and Jeremy Stone, ASA, will guide attendees through the Wayne Thiebaud exhibit at the Legion of Honor while discussing valuation in the Thiebaud market.

Also coming in June - ESOP Valuation & A Meeting of Private Equity Consultant & A Business Appraiser Perspective. Stay tuned for details and the official date announcement.

And for August, we're working on an insightful session on the Venture Capital Valuation Webinar. More details will be provided soon!

We’re also delighted to feature Rick Powers in this month’s Member Spotlight—welcome to the board, Rick!

Additionally, we’ve summarized key tips on how to track your reaccreditation credits, and, as always, our Discipline News Section highlights upcoming educational opportunities and essential resources for each discipline.

If you are interested in getting more involved, whether you’d like to plan events, join a committee, or contribute in other ways, reach out to Lily Yu at msagentart@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!

Warmly,

Gabrielle Selz

ASA Personal Property & Marketing Chair

Spotlighting - A Business Perspective on Trump Tariffs

The Trompe L’Oeil of Trade Policy: A Call for Strategic Clarity

In the complex world of international trade, tariffs often present themselves as straightforward solutions to economic challenges. However, much like a trompe l’oeil—a French term for an art technique that creates optical illusions—tariffs can appear effective at first glance, only to reveal hidden complexities beneath the surface. While they may seem like a simple fix for trade imbalances, their long-term impacts on business valuations, supply chains, and global market dynamics often tell a different story.

This piece explores the illusionary simplicity of tariffs, diving into how trade policy can shape business decisions and valuation strategies. From increased input costs to disrupted global supply chains, the effects of tariffs can distort markets and shift business models in unexpected ways. As companies navigate this volatile landscape, the need for strategic clarity in trade policy has never been more crucial.

Read more to discover how business valuation professionals can better understand the true cost of tariffs, beyond the immediate headlines. Tariffs may seem like an easy fix for trade issues, but like a trompe l’oeil, their effects often aren't as straightforward as they appear. While they promise to protect industries, they can create hidden costs and distort business valuations. This piece explores how strategic thinking is key to understanding the real impact of tariffs on global markets and business decisions.

By Jia Wu

Business Valuation Chair

If you would like to contribute to writing or posting articles that can benefit appraisers like this one, please email: monumentsight@gmail.com

What do you specialize in, and what are the best circumstances in which clients/prospects should come to you for help?

I specialize in fine art photography and bring a longstanding knowledge to the field. My career began in 1996 at A Gallery for Fine Photography in New Orleans. Since then, I’ve built a strong foundation working with several esteemed AIPAD-member galleries (The Association of International Photography Art Dealers). I later moved to New York to work with Wessel + O’Connor Gallery and ultimately became co-director - and later director - of the Stephen Cohen Gallery in Los Angeles, where I led the gallery from 2005 to 2012. Stephen Cohen was not only a photo dealer but founded and ran Photo L.A., the most important fair highlighting photography on the West Coast. In addition to photography, my experience includes the sale of Latin American fine art prints, contemporary painting, and sculpture.

For over a decade, I’ve served as an art advisor in San Francisco, guiding collectors through acquiring modern and contemporary photography, paintings, and prints.

As a candidate member of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), I currently provide appraisal services for clients' artwork, focusing on insurance, acquisition, deacquisition, and loss or damage assessments. I am working towards achieving full accreditation with ASA within the next year, at which point I will expand my practice to include appraisals related to IRS standards.

Please describe the most interesting project you have had recently.

One of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on recently involved assisting a client in acquiring a photograph by renowned Brazilian artist Vik Muniz. Muniz is celebrated for his unique approach—reimagining iconic imagery using unconventional materials like diamonds, chocolate syrup, thread, Pantone chips, caviar, and even trash. He then photographs these intricate compositions, transforming ephemeral “drawings” into striking, thought-provoking works of art.

Who has influenced you most in your approach to your work and your professional goals?

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from exceptional mentors who have profoundly shaped my professional path. Tom O’Connor in San Francisco, with whom I worked for more than a decade, and Stephen Cohen, a distinguished photo dealer and fair director in Los Angeles, played pivotal roles in my development. I’ve also built meaningful relationships with fellow dealers, photographers, and public art professionals - each of whom has enriched my perspective with their connoisseurship, leadership, and technical expertise.

What do you enjoy when you’re not working?

Outside of work, I find joy in cooking, reading, watching films, traveling, and gathering with friends for a night of bowling.

Our best educational programs are being made available on demand.

Watch this essential webinar for all appraisers

Addressing Hidden Bias in Appraisals

with Michael Gregory

1.5 CE credit

Lessons learned from your Chapter Board of Directors: keep track of your ASA reaccreditation credits. You alone are responsible for keeping them current.

Here's how to do it:

1. Sign in at www.appraisers.org

2. Log into your account

3. In the drop-down menu, highlight “My Credit Reporting”

4. Follow the directions to add and view your credits

If you have any questions or need technical assistance regarding your credential renewal process, please feel free to contact Credentialing Services at credentials@appraisers.org or 1-800-272-8258. We are here to help!



Discipline News

If you have any news, program or articles in your discipline that you would like us to share on the newsletter, please send information to Gabrielle Selz at gabyselz@gmail.com

If you would like to volunteer to assist with marketing or at any of our events, please email admin@asanorcal.org.

President

Fran Zeman FASA (PP) Fine Art

fran.zasa@gmail.com

Vice President

Mike Dianich, ASA (MTS)

mdianichjr@gmail.com

Treasurer

Daniel Borodin,(PP) Fine Art Candidate

borodinappraisals@gmail.com

Secretary

Lily Yu (PP) Fine Art Candidate

msagentart@gmail.com

Women's Affinity Group

Josette Ferrer (BV)

jferrer@clairent.com

MTS Chair

Kevin Mawhinney ASA (MTS)

kmawhinney@jetsupport.com

Business Valuation Chair

Chapter Administrator

Jia Wu, (BV) Candidate

monumentsight@gmail.com

Real Property Chair

Dana W. Burwell, ASA (RE)

danaburwell@aol.com

Co-Marketing Chair

Gabrielle Selz AM (PP) Fine Art

gabyselz@gmail.com

Co-Marketing Chair &

Mentorship Chair

Louise Allrich ASA (PP) Fine Art

allrichart@aol.com

Past President

Bharat Kanodia, ASA (BV)

bkanodia@veristrat.com

Gems & Jewelry Chair

Open Position

Please email us if you're interested or if you would like to nominate someone for this role

Personal Property Committee

Lily Yu (PP) Fine Art, Gabrielle Selz AM (PP) Fine Art, Decorative Art, Louise Allrich, ASA (PP) Fine Art, Kalim Winata (PP) Fine Art.