[April 26, 2004] Shawn McGowan is Named President/CEO of Valocity; Appraisal Industry Veteran Joins Growing Company MEMPHIS, Tenn. --(Business Wire)-- April 26, 2004 -- Valocity, a national valuation solutions provider and formerly Appraisal Forum, announced that industry veteran, Shawn McGowan, has joined the company as president and chief executive officer (CEO). With more than 20 years of valuation experience in the fee and institutional marketplace as well as significant appraisal management experience, McGowan will be paramount in the continued growth and expansion of the company. McGowan comes to Valocity from eAppraiseIT where he was responsible for research, analysis and implementation of the company's strategic initiatives and alliances. Additionally, McGowan is a former senior vice president of residential appraisal operations for Strategic Mortgage Services and First American Appraisal Services. His expert knowledge of the appraisal industry gives him a unique perspective on the strategic business goals and objectives necessary to propel Valocity into the next decade. Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Bethany Kaaz, said, "We are extremely pleased to have an executive with the experience and vision of Shawn McGowan join Valocity. We are confident that Shawn's expertise and leadership skills will enable Valocity to continue to thrive within the marketplace." McGowan is the recent past chairman of the Industry Advisory Council for The Appraisal Foundation, as well as an At Large Member of the Appraisal Foundation's Board of Trustees. He is also a past member of the Board of Directors for the Title and Appraisal Vendor Management Association, a past member of the San Diego Chapter of the Appraisal Institute, a past Regional Panel Member of the Ethics and Counseling Committee and a past member of the Board of Directors of the North Texas Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. According to McGowan, one of the reasons he joined Valocity was that he believed the company had the best all around solution to offer its clients. "Based on my industry experience, I truly believe Valocity has combined the most effective client centric business model with its proprietary system. It was designed from its inception by our founders to assist both appraisers and lenders in meeting each other's needs. I am honored to work with so many seasoned professionals. Valocity is committed to streamlining the appraisal process for all parties involved and is constantly enhancing its technology to better meet its clients' needs. I look forward to working with such a dynamic team and continuing to grow the company." McGowan holds a bachelor's degree from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia and is a graduate of the Executive Development Program, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania as well as the Program on Negotiation at the Harvard Law School. McGowan also earned the Senior Residential Appraiser (SRA) designation from the Appraisal Institute and the Independent Fee Appraiser (IFA) designation from the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers. About Valocity Based in Memphis, Tenn., Valocity, formerly Appraisal Forum, is a national valuation solutions provider. The company is committed to providing solutions that streamline the appraisal process from initial requests to final valuations. Founded in 1998 by Carsten and Bethany Kaaz, the company combines its comprehensive knowledge of the appraisal process with superior technology to offer its clients a truly paperless system for processing valuations. The company's flagship product, Instant Access(R), is a Web-based appraisal and data storage system that enables clients to efficiently order, track, receive and store residential property information and valuation reports. For additional information about Valocity, contact Shawn McGowan at 901.624.3900 or e-mail [email protected]. Visit the company's Web site at www.valocity.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]