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MINUTES
Meeting of the Louisiana Chapter
General Business Meeting
July 15, 2026
Livestream via Zoom
President Tracey Dietz, SRA, AI-RRS called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. CDT and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S) MINUTES
MOTION: (Tom Hancock, MAI / Rich Rachal, MAI) To approve the minutes from the Q1 2026 LCAI Chapter Business Meeting on March 2, 2026, and the Special Business Meeting on May 12, 2026. Motion passed.
OFFICER REPORTS:
President’s Report
President Dietz reported that the advisory opinion was currently open for comment, with a submission deadline of July 22, 2026. She also noted that the Appraisal Institute’s annual conference will be held in New Orleans next year and she wanted to make sure the chapter board of directors, at the least, were involved in some of the planning and hospitality. President Dietz is to put a draft letter together for the board of directors to review and then have it forwarded to the National leadership with Executive Director Linton-Hall’s assistance.
Treasurer’s Report
Executive Director Nancy Linton-Hall presented this report since Treasurer Geof Carmack was not in attendance. She reported that the Chapter’s financial performance had improved. Although the Chapter remained in a deficit position, the loss is less than projected in the approved budget.
Executive Director’s Report
Executive Director Nancy Linton-Hall, reported that several members had experienced customer service issues with National and asked that any additional concerns be brought to her attention.
Ms. Linton-Hall also noted that the Appraisal Institute had revised its communication preference settings and encouraged members to review and update their preferences on the Institute’s website. In addition, she encouraged all members to connect with the chapter on social media, especially LinkedIn and to make sure they commented as well as engaged and reposted. This will help increase the chapter’s exposure.
COMMITTEE & PROJECT TEAM CHAIR REPORTS
Appraiser Guidance
Blake Ridings, MAI reported that there were no updates from the Appraiser Guidance Committee. He noted that he had recently attended a webinar addressing appraisal guidance matters.
Bylaws
Executive Director Linton-Hall reported that there were no updates regarding the bylaws and confirmed that the Chapter remained in compliance.
Education
Committee Chair Danny Blanchard, SRA reported that the UAD 3.6 course offered in New Orleans, in partnership with the Appraiser Coalition, was highly successful and generated approximately $5,000 in net proceeds. He thanked Justin Bonura for his assistance in coordinating and setting up the program.
Mr. Blanchard also noted that Roy Meyer presented an online artificial intelligence course and that an additional program may be considered in the future. The Chapter is also exploring a course focused on litigation appraisal, and Mr. Blanchard and Vincent Carr will contact potential instructors.
Government Relations
Executive Director Nancy Linton-Hall advised that Cheryl Bella’s Government Relations Report had been received and would be distributed to the membership.
Social Project Team
Committee Chair Tom Hancock, MAI stated that he had been contacted by CID to co-sponsor another event and this one would include 2 hours of CE. He was informed they were seeking appraisal CE as well. The participation would be contingent on the CE approval.
University Outreach Project Team
Committee Co-Chair, Vincent Carr, reported on the Chapter’s university outreach efforts, including presentations made to students at the University of New Orleans and Louisiana State University during the year. He encouraged members to share any university contacts who may assist with expanding outreach and recruiting additional student affiliates.
Regional Report
President Dietz indicated that all relevant updates had been included in the President’s Report.
OLD BUSINESS
Nominating Committee
Executive Director Linton-Hall presented the slate of officers and directors for 2027 and reported that the required submission to National had been completed that day.
NEW BUSINESS
Education Award Drawing
Rich Rachal, MAI won the education award in the amount of $100 toward an educational offering sponsored by the Louisiana Chapter for his attendance at the Chapter meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
MOTION: (Rich Richal, MAI / Vincent Carr, SRA) To adjourn the LCAI General Business Meeting. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m. CDT.
Respectfully Submitted By,
Ashton Ray, MAI
2026 Chapter Secretary
Louisiana Chapter Appraisal Institute
AR/nslh
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