New York's Oldest Nonprofit Appraiser Group

Columbia Society
Our Mission is to educate and guide Real Estate Appraisers and those in related fields to the highest level of professionalism.

Guiding Our Members to the Highest Level of Professionalism Since 1945

The Columbia Society of Real Estate Appraisers Inc. was founded in 1945 at Columbia University, New York. Professor De Witt Van Buren served as its first President and remained President for 17 years. The organization was incorporated in New York State as a nonprofit corporation in 1952.

The purpose of the Society is to unite real estate appraisers and those in related fields in an effort to educate, increase ethical standards, and promote professional well being among its members.

The Society offers computer-based distance learning qualifying and exam preparation courses for real estate appraisers in New York, as well as live and online Zoom continuing education classes for appraisers and real estate brokers/salespersons.

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Membership in the Columbia Society of Real Estate Appraisers offers many benefits.

Membership Info

Be part of the largest regional appraiser group in the New York metropolitan area.

Get Your Real Estate Appraiser or Broker/Salesperson License

Looking to change careers? Check out our licensing courses.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Get reduced rates on continuing education seminars, including LIVE and ONLINE Zoom classes.

Find an Appraiser

Get listed in our online directory so clients can find you.

Upcoming Continuing Education Seminars

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March 2026

Mandatory Valuation Bias & Fair Housing Laws & Regulations Seminar

The Mandatory Valuation Bias & Fair Housing Laws & Regulations Seminar presented by the Columbia Society of Real Estate Appraisers is a required continuing education course designed to strengthen ethical appraisal practice and promote fair, unbiased property valuation. The seminar provides a comprehensive review of federal, state, and local fair housing laws, highlights common sources […]
24 - 26 Mar
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Zoom
April 2026

Mastering the New UAD Appraisal Report

Mastering the New UAD 3.6 Appraisal Report which will be required for all appraisal reports submitted to Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE). It will cover every page of the new form, what entries are being required, how to import required data and how to stay compliant with the Fannie Mae requirements. Date and Time : April […]
14 Apr
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Zoom

Staying Compliant

Join our Zoom class designed for NYS continuing 7 1/2 required education every TWO years for brokers and salespersons. Staying Compliant will cover the topics required for license renewal. It will include 3 Hours of Fair Housing, 2.5 hours of Ethics and Business Practices, 1 hour of Law of Agency and 1 Hour of Legal […]
21 - 23 Apr
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Zoom

Reconsideration of Value ROV (Mini Series)

A two-hour continuing education program designed to assist real estate appraisers on how to handle a request for reconsideration of value. The course will demonstrate what information should be addressed by the appraiser and the importance of giving a meaningful response to the client’s concerns. .Learn how to properly respond to an ROV request, address […]
28 Apr
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

The Complaint Process (2 Hours) Mini Series

2-hour course that helps the Real Estate Agent and the Appraiser to understand the importance of taking a HUD complaint or a Licensing complaint seriously. We will address the HUD and DOL complaint process and the information and response that needs to be provided to either HUD or DOL. The course will discuss the importance […]
28 Apr
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Zoning for the Real Estate Professional

This seminar provides real estate professionals with a practical understanding of how zoning regulations influence property valuation, development potential, and marketing decisions. Participants will learn how zoning analysis supports credible appraisals and accurate Highest & Best Use conclusions. Topics include reading zoning maps and ordinances, key land use regulations, conforming vs. non-conforming properties, FAR, setbacks, […]
30 Apr
2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
May 2026

2026-2027 7 Hour National USPAP Update Course

7-Hour National USPAP Update Course Required for Real Estate Appraiser License Renewal The Columbia Society of Real Estate Appraisers offers the mandatory 7-Hour National USPAP Update Course designed to keep appraisers current with the latest USPAP changes. This course reinforces ethics, competency, scope of work, and reporting standards while providing practical guidance for today’s assignments. […]
12 - 14 May
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Zoom

Recent GSE Changes – 4 HRS – Elective for Appraiser & Broker/Salesperson CE

Are you ready for the recent GSE changes 2026? Join our Zoom class designed for appraisers and brokers/salespersons approved for NYS This 4-hour program is designed to assist the appraiser and broker/salesperson to understand Government Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) requirements for real property eligibility and financing in a changing market, as well as updates to the […]
19 May
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Zoom
No event found!

Meet Our Platinum Corporate Sponsors

We are saddened by the passing of our longtime CEO Linda Fusco on January 17,2025 . Linda was not only a CEO and colleague but a friend to many. She will be profoundly missed.
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Past Presidents

DeWitt Van Buren, 1945-62 Maxwell R. Ginsberg, 1962-68 Michael P. Galgano, 1968-69 Robert Thomsen, 1970 Warren J. Ziegler, 1971 Frederick G. Eggers, 1972 Robert A. Gregory, 1973 Cornelius P. Mahon, 1974 Theodore J. Powers, 1975 Bernard Goodman, 1976 Ronald J. Matuza, 1977 Robert A. Brancato, 1978 Patricia J. Marshall, 1979 Joseph Montemarano, 1980 David H. Buchanan, Jr., 1981 Edward T. Rule, 1982 Richard Marchitelli, 1983 Joseph M. Pirog, 1984 Richard G. Hoesch, 1985 Anthony Volpe, 1986 Charles C. Booth, 1987 Edward J. Glowaski, 1988 John P. Tiernan, 1989 John J. Ford, 1990 Richard C. Berntsen, 1991 Thomas J. Pirog, 1992 Michael Palermo, 1993 Robert H. Dressler, 1994 Steven L. Corte, 1995 David J. Mount, 1996 Michael Haberman, 1997 Martha L. Schneider, 1998 Patricia Roche, 1999 Domenick Neglia, 2000 Frank X. Romito, 2001 Jeffrey C. Kjellgren, 2002 Robert Eisenoff, 2004 Eric Davidson, 2005 Robert K. Duffy, 2006 Christopher E. Deutsch, 2007 Arleen E. Goscinski, 2008 Walter D. Messina, 2009 Jeffrey J. Beal, 2010 Michael Schlesinger, 2011 Stephanie Cilla, 2012 William H. Green III, 2013-14 William G. Smolen, 2015 John F. McCullagh 2016–19 William H. Green 2020

Publications


Shelley Langenauer
Domenick Neglia

Outreach

Len Fiore, Chair
Tim Flanagan
Richard Hahn

Sponsors

Lawrence Samsky, Chair
Richard J. Scheeler
Tim Flanagan

Programs

Richard J. Sheeler, Chair
Lawrence E. Samsky
John F. McCullagh

Nominating

Henry Salmon-Chair
Domenick Neglia
Tim Flanagan
Peter Caputo

Membership

Lawrence E. Samsky, Chair

              Dick Berntsen               

Jenn DeFlorio

Henry Salmon

Sherry Gans

Executive

Lawrence E. Samsky, Chair

Richard Sheeler

Shelley Langenauer

Michael Drazner

Jennifer DeFlorio

Sherry Gans

Ethics

Stephen S. Deutsch, Chair
Tim Flanagan

Education

 
Richard C. Berntsen

Len Fiore

Jennifer DeFlorio

Domenick Neglia

Michael Drazner

Sherry Gans

Admissions

Richard C. Berntsen, Chair
Michael Drazner
Jennifer R. DeFlorio