LOS ANGELES—Lee & Associates has expanded its Valuation and Consulting Services Group with the new addition of Robert W. Bell, MAI, and Hugh Everhart, GlobeSt.com reports exclusively. Bell joins the group as managing director and Everhart as a senior appraiser.

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

Prior to joining Lee & Associates, Bell served as the western region manager for Hilco Real Estate Appraisal. "Most of my 36-year appraisal and consultation career has been with valuation groups related to brokerage 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 of the group's target growth markets. "Presently this area is transitioning from recovery to growth. This is an exciting time to join Lee & Associates, because the company has become truly national. I am pleased to be part of this outstanding organization."

In his 36-year career, Bell has held leadership positions at Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE, Colliers International and Integra Realty Resources, including working as the western region senior managing director for Grubb and Ellis Landauer. During these prestigious positions, he has testified as an expert witness in federal bankruptcy court and the California State Superior Court. Leveraging this experience, Bell plans to use the group to better serve Lee's clients and create opportunities. "In a growing organization, the challenge is to balance these goals with growth," he says. "The key is to keep these goals clearly in mind at all times, choose actions accordingly and build a culture in which these goals are shared and perpetuate themselves."

Working as a certified general appraiser for the past 10 years, Everhart has extensive experience in the valuation field. Prior to joining Lee, he worked with Bell at both Hilco Real Estate Appraisal and Grubb and Ellis Landauer. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to help build a national appraisal organization for a company with strong brand equity," Everhart tells GlobeSt.com. "I am looking forward to building the appraisal service line into the type of organization that will attract the best talent and create the strongest possible client relationships."

The valuation group is one of the many groups of which Lee is hoping to continue to grow as part of its ongoing expansion, according to Jeff Rinkov, Lee & Associates recently named CEO. Rinkov sat down with GlobeSt.com a few weeks ago to talk about the company's expansion, and explained that it will be growing in several markets throughout the country, focusing on coastal markets, as well as looking to expand groups, such as these.