THIS IS A SOCIAL EVENT, THERE IS NO AI OR BREA CE 

October 9, 2025

Reception 5:30 pm

Dinner & Program 6:30 pm

The Southern California Chapter of the Appraisal Institute warmly invites you to our 2025 Heritage Night. This year we are pleased to celebrate our distinguished honoree, Steven R. Fontes, MAI, CCIM. 

Steven R. Fontes, MAI, CCIM is the founder and President of Mission Property Advisors, Inc. in Riverside, a commercial real estate service firm specializing in commercial real estate appraisal, brokerage and expert witness services.  The firm specializes in the appraisal of commercial real estate throughout the Inland Empire and greater Southern California region and the brokerage of commercial real estate throughout the western United States.

The firm’s clients include attorneys, lenders, investors, trusts and fiduciaries, school districts, water districts, CPA’s, private parties and a number of cities, counties and State agencies. As a 40-year veteran of the real estate industry, Mr. Fontes has qualified to testify as an appraisal expert witness in multiple Southern California County Superior Courts venues as well as in Federal United States Bankruptcy Court both in and outside of California.

In 2009, Mr. Fontes was honored to serve as the 77th President of the Southern California Chapter of the Appraisal Institute.  Additional service to the Appraisal Institute include having served as Education Coordinator in 2001, the Finance Committee in 2001, 2007 and 2008, the Nominating Committee in 2001, 2010, 2013 and 2019, the Office Committee from 2007 to 2011, the Bylaws Committee in 2008, the Website Committee from 2009 to 2011, a Director from 1997 to 1999, Admissions Committee Member from 1994 to 1996, the Summer Conference Program from 1998 to 2000, the 15 – 17th Annual Golf Tournament from 1994 to 1996, Candidate Guidance Committee from 1989 to 1990, and a Regional Representative from 1997-1998, 2000-2001 and 2008-2009.  Mr. Fontes also developed the Inland Empire Market Trends Seminar that began in 1998.  He chaired or co-chaired the event for the first 8 years, then passed it to the current team of excellent appraisal professionals that have made the event even better, now in its 27th year.

Mr. Fontes was also honored to chair or co-chair Heritage Night in 2009 to honor Tom O’Neil, MAI, in 2011 to honor George Hamilton Jones, MAI and in 2014 to honor Mike Teobaldi, MAI.  At the National level, Mr. Fontes served on the National General Appraisal Council Admissions Committee in 2000 and the National Nominating Committee for Region VII as an alternate in 2013.

Mr. Fontes is also a licensed California Real Estate Broker and has been a CCIM designee since 2000 when he embarked on adding commercial real estate brokerage to his growing commercial real estate appraisal practice. He is also a graduate of the University of California, Riverside, having earned a degree in Computer Science in 1987.

Mr. Fontes has enjoyed public speaking on topics related to commercial real estate which he has engaged in 24 times since 1988.  He has served in the past on the UCR Planned Giving Advisory Board as well as on the board for the Dikaios Christian Educators Association and the  Economic Development Council for the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce and is a graduate of the Leadership Riverside program, Class of 2012.

When he is not appraising Steve enjoys snow skiing, kayaking, golfing and traveling. He also learned to surf in Hawaii last year and is proud to say he did so on the same day his 17-year-old daughter and 19-year-old son did. Steven is married to Christine, and they have four children and one grandchild.

The course delves more deeply into inverse condemnation, an exciting niche market with increasing demand for appraisers. One of three courses in the Litigation Professional Development Program, this course offers hands-on applications giving you the opportunity to solve problems and put theory into practice. Specialized topics covered include environmental contamination, ad valorem tax assessments, construction defects, bankruptcies, fraud and misrepresentation, income and estate tax disputes, inverse condemnation, contract disputes and equitable distribution in divorces cases. Through problem-solving activities, you’ll apply new concepts and address how to best handle valuation and reporting issues in a professional legal setting. You’ll gain an understanding of the terminology and concepts involved in litigation valuation services in specialty areas and will learn about the many opportunities available for expanding their practices in litigation valuation.

This course is in the Litigation Professional Development Program. View this list of FAQs, which includes information regarding the courses you’ll need to complete the program successfully.