Tyler Siegworth, MAI recently caught up with Evan Mudd, PE.

Office: 913.647.4096

Email: [email protected]

Where do you work, what do you do, and how long have you been there?

I am an appraiser with Valbridge and have been on staff for about one year.  I work on a variety of property types, but my specialty is in mineral properties.

Tell us about your family.

My family and I love getting outdoors, enjoying local parks, and traveling.  My wife and I have been married for almost 15 years and have four kids who are between the ages of 6 and 12.

Where did you grow up and how did you come to live in the Kansas City area?

I grew up living in suburbs of New York, Washington DC and St. Louis.  After completing college in Rolla, Missouri with a degree in Mining Engineering, I worked for mining companies throughout the Midwest. One company was headquartered in Overland Park, and that engagement initiated our move to the area.

When not working, what hobbies do you enjoy?

Treasure hunting! That could be anything involved with exploring new localities, culture, and learning new skills.  I’m interested in a lot of things and just simply enjoy the adventure giving them all a shot.

Who introduced you to the Appraisal Institute and how long have you been a member?

My introduction to the Appraisal Institute came from a minerals appraiser back in 2014.  We happened to meet at a mining convention and struck up a conversation about the properties he valued in Alaska.  Intrigued, I asked how I could learn more about the field, and he pointed me to the Appraisal Institute as my first stop.

What did you do before your real estate career began?

Without prior knowledge of mining and minerals, I joined my college program with hopes of becoming an explosives engineer, which by the way, they still offer degrees in if a reader of this newsletter happens to be interested in that.  From school, I worked in engineering roles, then went through night school as a business major while working full time at a mining company in Wisconsin. I then transitioned into financial roles within the mining companies, and managed capital projects.  In 2018, I began a consulting business focused on continuous improvement of mining operations, and also joined Valbridge.   

What do you love about real estate, or the appraisal industry?

I enjoy learning, especially about local and regional businesses, and I’m a spreadsheet geek. It’s a great match.   

What is your favorite property type and why?

Special use industrial properties are a mix of something new and interesting, coupled with heavy industry elements I am familiar with from my previous career.  I enjoy diving into those the most.

What is the most unusual thing you have seen/heard on a site inspection?

Actually, I think it was on my way to an inspection, when a tree fell over and totaled my vehicle.  Bizarre.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

My parents were both architects and my family was involved with commercial construction projects when I was at an early age.  I think that was about the only career I knew about or could see myself in until I hit teenage years.  At that point, I’m not sure what I was thinking.

What is your favorite local bar/restaurant?

Burnt Ends BBQ.   

If you could spend a day with being anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

This is hard, there are so many.  I don’t have any one person in mind but it may be something simple like going on a fishing trip in some remote country with Jeremy Wade.  It would be incredible to see a part of the world I have never seen before and spend the day on the water fishing for large, rare, and aggressive fish.

What is your favorite vacation spot and why?

St. Augustine Beach, FL.  I enjoy breaking away from the big city there and being able to take in the history.

How have you benefited from the Appraisal Institute?

For me, AI was the boost I needed to get started in the appraisal industry. I benefited greatly from being able to take online classes in my spare time while working in a different career.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the appraisal profession?

It’s the cry job. You cry through the learning curve. You cry with joy when you get through it.  No matter what, you cry.