Meet our associates. These colleagues are knowledgeable in their areas of expertise. Many are formally trained, tested, and certified personal property appraisers. Among our associates are instructors of appraisal theory and practice. All possess the appropriate level of experience and training to handle each engagement.

Val Arbab, ISA CAPP   Val is a Certified Appraiser of Personal Property (CAPP) with the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) for Oriental Rugs. She is a Certified Appraiser of Oriental rugs by the Oriental Rug Retailers of America. She is a member of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration. Her specialties include collectible and old decorative Oriental rugs and textiles. She has written a course for ISA in Oriental Rugs and has produced a video entitled A Consumer’s Guide to Old Decorative Oriental Rugs.

Rick Casagrande, ISA CAPP   Rick holds two CAPPs with ISA. He is certified in Appreciable Residential Contents and in Fine Art. He has a Master of Arts Degree in Art History. Rick was the Team Leader in developing the ISA Fine Art Course and is the lead instructor for this course.

Brian Kathenes, ISA S-CAPP   Brian has expertise in stamps, coins, sports memorabilia and paper collectibles. He is a Specialist Certified Appraiser of Personal Property in Autographs, Historical Documents, and Manuscripts with ISA. Brian serves on the New York Winter Antique Show Vetting Committee on Autographs, Manuscripts, and Rare Books and is responsible for vetting all autographs, documents and manuscripts displayed and sold at this prestigious show. Teacher, author, and facilitator, Brian lends his expertise in ephemera to the Specialists of the South team of associates.

Neil Milsark   Neil has a lifelong interest in automobiles. He has restored vintage cars for 40 years. He assesses the condition of cars for the Specialists of the South drawing on the knowledge he has gained in refurbishing automobiles.

Phil Peck   Phil is an Accredited Member of ISA. His specialty areas include heavy trucks and trailers, farm equipment and machinery, and industrial/manufacturing/restaurant furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E).