Mark Sonderby
Chief Appraiser, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Washington, DC 20001
Specializes in commercial, industrial and resource property with a highest best use of minerals
Phone (307) 210-8642
Specializes in commercial, industrial and resource property with a highest best use of minerals
Property Types
Health Care
Markets
Washington, DC
Languages
English
Bio
Mark started his career in Construction, Engineering and Property Management in 1980, where he became a framer, roofer, carpenter, drywall and concrete laborer. Later he became a foreman of a crew for a local well-known contractor, while attending Sheridan College taking engineering, surveying and drafting courses. Later he worked for a local engineering firm and invested in residential rental properties (fixer uppers). His appraisal career began July of 1986 in owning a very successful appraisal firm with a staff of five stakeholders based in Sheridan, Wyoming. He was awarded the Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA) designation November of 1995 by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraiser (ASFMRA). In July of 1999 he became a Qualified Review Appraiser until promoted (2012) to a Senior Review Appraiser for the US Forest Service. He was one of many 2004 recipients for the USDA Forest Service Chief’s Lands Award for West Lake Creek Land Exchange. This project protected four very significant parcels, and the historic mining town of Independence, which is just below Independence Pass above Aspen, Colorado. Sonderby received numerous awards for significant contributions to the U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Department of Justice. He has specialized UASFLA appraisal and review experience in minerals, water rights, timber, water storage reservoirs and ski areas. While working for the U.S. Forest Service; he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and later an MBA with honors from Regis University (2007). As part of receiving the MBA, was awarded a life membership in Alpha Sigma Nu, a nationally recognized Jesuit fraternity, for individual service to academics and the local community. In 2020, he achieved the highest professional member designation status as a Certified Mineral Appraiser (CMA) by the International Institute of Mineral Appraisers. He has completed assignments in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, West Virginia, New Mexico, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. Special assignments included easements for wetlands, right-of-ways, construction, utility, scenic, avigation, pipeline or conservation type uses. Mr. Sonderby currently holds the position of Chief Appraiser within the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Construction and Facilities Management Office of Real Property, where he provides valuation services to the National Cemetery Administration, Leasing Delivery and Execution, Land Acquisition-Strategic Utilization, and Land Management Divisions. Mark has served as a past president, an officer, chair, board and committee member at both a national and chapter level for the ASFMRA and the Appraisal Institute. He was an instructor for the ASFMRA and has co-authored articles or texts, the latest publication being “Valuing Rural America – Fundamentals of Data Analysis”, published 2019 by the ASFMRA. He has hundreds of hours of teaching experience. Mark is married, enjoys time with his family, friends, fishing, and volunteering time at his local church, a local Jesuit fraternity, and within his own neighborhood.
Education
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