50 Years Ago . . .
Midland Appraisal Associates, Inc. was incorporated in May 1975 and is the successor to three previous corporations, with real estate appraisal activities commencing in Rochester in 1962. Today, the company employs six appraisers with three appraisers who hold the MAI designation of the Appraisal Institute, three holding the SRA designation, four who are qualified as New York State General Certified Appraisers, and two qualified as certified residential appraisers.
Founding Partners
The founding partners for Midland Appraisal Associates, Inc. include Harvey P. Jeffers, MAI; John M. Travis, MAI; and David C. Schwaner, MAI. Harvey Jeffers withdrew from the corporation in late 1981 to pursue a career opportunity with Landauer Associates in New York City. John Travis retired from the partnership during 2004, and continued to serve selected clients located throughout the Rochester MSA until retirement in August 2011. David Schwaner also retired from the corporation in 2007 and from the firm in 2019.
Offices & Partners
The company occupied offices at 673 Panorama Trail West in the town of Penfield, Monroe County, from May 1977 through June 2011. The main office location relocated to East Rochester after the sale of the original office location. Similar to other service businesses, Midland Appraisal Associates has expanded and contracted based on the fluctuating demand for appraisal and counseling services during the past 50 years. Following the federal FIRREA legislation providing significant banking reforms, Midland Appraisal Associates expanded to 12 appraisers (including 7 MAI’s) plus 4 full time support staff in the 1990’s.
Today the company has transitioned from the era of the founding partners to the dedicated and well trained professionals who are leading the company through the 21st Century. Jay Loson, David Rogachefsky, and Jeffrey James all hold the MAI designation with the Appraisal Institute, with Nathan Gabbert also serving commercial clients as part of the commercial division of the firm. Midland Appraisal Associates reestablished a strong residential appraisal department when James LeGrett became Managing Partner of the Residential Division in 2004. The company merged with Pogel, Schubmehl and Ferrara on July 1, 2017. The merger has resulted in Stephen Ferrara, SRA joining ranks as a partner with the firm and serving residential clients for lending, relocation, estate/retirement settlements and litigation needs. For individual biographies and qualifications, go to the “Appraisers” page.