Equity Valuation Associates: Celebrating 25 Years of Membership

By Danielle Wiseman, The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce

Equity Valuation Associates (EVA), founded in 1985 by Henry Salmon, is a full-service real estate appraisal and consulting company that serves New York and New Jersey. The firm is located in the same building as Salmon Real Estate, which was founded by Salmon's father. EVA offers a wide range of appraisal services for residential, commercial, and industrial properties, in addition to vacant land.

Henry Salmon, President and CEO of Equity Valuation Associates, has always loved to work with numbers. Recognizing his passion at a young age, Salmon attended American University's Kogod School of Business. Following his time at American University, Salmon decided to forge his own path instead of joining the family business, and he went on to obtain his MBA from Cornell University's SC Johnson College of Business.

Upon graduating from Cornell in 1977, Salmon began working as a commercial lender for the former Citicorp, now known as Citibank. After graduating from the Credit Analysis Unit at Citicorp, Salmon was given the opportunity to work as a credit officer within Citicorp Industrial Credit, based in New York, and traveling to regional offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago and San Francisco. Salmon worked at Citicorp until 1982, when he was recruited by the former First Nationwide Savings, to head up the Credit office of FNS Corporate Funding in San Francisco. At FNS Corporate Funding, Salmon helped build the company from the ground up, surpassing over $300,000,000 in assets during the company's first three years.

However, after nearly ten years in the corporate sector, Salmon decided to return to New York and start his own business. "In undergraduate school, I had taken some appraisal courses, and I already had experience with commercial loans, so I decided to start a real estate appraisal and consulting company," reminisces Salmon. "I founded Equity Valuation Associates in 1985 and literally started in the basement of Salmon Real Estate's offices in Castleton Corners. The entrepreneurial spirit is in my blood; it runs through my family. It was only natural that one day I would start my own business."

When Salmon began the business nearly four decades ago, his focus was set on Staten Island. As Equity Valuation Associates evolved and Salmon's reputation grew, the business expanded to serve the greater New York and New Jersey areas. With the growth of the company, Salmon took on more professionals, and currently has a team of ten appraisers, a bookkeeper, and an executive assistant. Many of Salmon's associates have been with Equity Valuation Associates for over twenty years.

"We appraise everything, from bungalows to skyscrapers," says Salmon. "I review each appraisal assignment performed by our firm. In addition to the appraiser's signature, my signature also goes on the appraisals, so I personally assume full responsibility for each appraisal performed under the Equity Valuation Associate's name."

As a native Staten Islander, Salmon is incredibly involved in the community. As well as being a Chamber member, Salmon also gives his time to the Staten Island Museum, Mid-Island Rotary Club of Staten Island, the Holocaust Center at Wagner College, Children At Play Early Intervention Center, and Friends of New World Preparatory Charter School.

This year is Equity Valuation Associates' 25th anniversary with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. Since joining the Chamber in 1999, Equity Valuation Associates has been a steadfast supporter and invaluable partner. In addition to serving as Chairman of the Board from 2002-2003, Salmon also travels with the Chamber to Washington D.C. every year to lobby on behalf of Staten Island's small businesses. Equity Valuation Associates is a shining example of a dedicated Chamber member, extending a hand whenever it is needed.

"My father had been a member of the Chamber through Salmon Real Estate since 1968, and that's how I originally became involved. I was attending events and joining committees under Salmon Real Estate, so I decided to officially join under Equity Valuation Associates," reminisces Salmon. "The Chamber has helped my business tremendously. If I don't know something related to Staten Island business, there's probably someone in the Chamber who does, and I'm constantly referring people to use the Chamber as a resource."

Thank you to Equity Valuation Associates for 25 years of membership! We appreciate your commitment to the Staten Island Chamber, and we look forward to supporting you in the future.

This story is part of our 2024 Annual Meeting's Long-Term Member Celebrations. To read more or register for the event, click here.