LOS ANGELES—Lee & Associates has expandedits Valuation and Consulting Services Group withthe new addition of Robert W. Bell, MAI, andHugh Everhart, GlobeSt.com reports exclusively.Bell joins the group as managing director and Everhart as a seniorappraiser.

According to Daniel Boring, MAI and CEO of thefirm's valuation group, which launched in 2012, Bell and Everharthave worked together in the past and are a great team. Together,they have more than 45 years of experience in the field. “With theaddition of Bob and Hugh, clients can be confident they arereceiving consistent, high-quality appraisals,” says Boring.

Prior to joining Lee & Associates, Bell served as thewestern region manager for Hilco Real EstateAppraisal. "Most of my 36-year appraisal andconsultation career has been with valuation groups related tobrokerage firms. So, I already understand the advantage that Lee& Associates' data resources and market knowledge provides,"Bell tells GlobeSt.com, adding that Southern California is one ofthe group's target growth markets. "Presently this area istransitioning from recovery to growth. This is an exciting time tojoin Lee & Associates, because the company has become trulynational. I am pleased to be part of this outstandingorganization."

In his 36-year career, Bell has held leadership positions atCushman & Wakefield, CBRE,Colliers International and Integra RealtyResources, including working as the western region seniormanaging director for Grubb and Ellis Landauer.During these prestigious positions, he has testified as an expertwitness in federal bankruptcy court and the CaliforniaState Superior Court. Leveraging this experience, Bellplans to use the group to better serve Lee's clients and createopportunities. "In a growing organization, the challenge is tobalance these goals with growth," he says. "The key is to keepthese goals clearly in mind at all times, choose actionsaccordingly and build a culture in which these goals are shared andperpetuate themselves."

Working as a certified general appraiser for the past 10 years,Everhart has extensive experience in the valuation field. Prior tojoining Lee, he worked with Bell at both Hilco Real EstateAppraisal and Grubb and Ellis Landauer. "This is a once in alifetime opportunity to help build a national appraisalorganization for a company with strong brand equity," Everharttells GlobeSt.com. "I am looking forward to building the appraisalservice line into the type of organization that will attract thebest talent and create the strongest possible clientrelationships."