Foundation
McKee Appraisal provides high-quality appraisal and consulting services to the commercial real estate industry. Distinct in our industry, our founding principles and corporate structures promote an integrated team approach. Members contribute their individual strengths and experience to a team that is formed to address each assignment individually.
The individual professionals bring strong educational backgrounds, and continual knowledge progression results from our internal collegiality, and from progression through the industry-leading courses of the Appraisal Institute. Our experience is strong and diverse, including MAI-designated principals with further professional designation such as Counselor of Real Estate (CRE) and Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS). Our collective professional experience encompasses more than 200 years of dedicated practice.
The company serves each client directly, providing a higher level of service than possible with the more common corporate structure of independent practitioners. The personnel and resources best suited to each assignment are applied. From the client perspective this process simply results in a superior outcome in terms of timeliness, accuracy, reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Foundation
McKee Appraisal provides high-quality appraisal and consulting services to the commercial real estate industry. Distinct in our industry, our founding principles and corporate structures promote an integrated team approach. Members contribute their individual strengths and experience to a team that is formed to address each assignment individually.
The individual professionals bring strong educational backgrounds, and continual knowledge progression results from our internal collegiality, and from progression through the industry-leading courses of the Appraisal Institute. Our experience is strong and diverse, including MAI-designated principals with further professional designation such as Counselor of Real Estate (CRE) and specialized expertise in review appraisal (AI-GRS). Our collective professional experience encompasses more than 200 years of dedicated practice.
The company serves each client directly, providing a higher level of service than possible with the more common corporate structure of independent practitioners. The personnel and resources best suited to each assignment are applied. From the client perspective this process simply results in a superior outcome in terms of timeliness, accuracy, reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Bates McKee, MAI, CRE, AI-GRS
Mr. McKee co-founded the firm McKee Appraisal in 1990. McKee Appraisal specializes in the economic analysis of real estate, employing valuation professionals and providing critical analysis and information to corporate, government and private clients nationwide. Mr. McKee graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Earth & Planetary Sciences, with a Minor in Writing. He also completed the O-Degree program in Geology at Edinburgh University, Scotland, in 1978.
Mr. McKee received the MAI (Member of Appraisal Institute) designation in 1988, after employment with the Seattle firm of Shorett & Riely in 1984. Mr. McKee is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser, and adheres to the standards and ethics of the Appraisal Institute. Mr. McKee is past Chair of the Seattle Chapter Education Committee, and was elected as Regional Director for the Appraisal Institute in 2005. Mr. McKee was awarded the Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) designation in 2008 and the Appraisal Institute – General Review Specialist (AI-GRS) designation in 2016. He served as the Chair of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Counselors of Real Estate from 2011 to 2013. He currently serves on the Valuation Committee of the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF).
In his appraisal experience, Mr. McKee has appraised and analyzed a wide variety of commercial property types, and provided critical consultation and litigation services to a diversified range of clients. In addition to managing operations and education at McKee Appraisal, he frequently represents both property owners and governmental agencies in appraisal and litigation. Project appraisal work includes acquisition for all segments of Sound Transit Link light rail, the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement project, the Yellowstone retail stores, Interstate 90 and the Seattle Waterfront project. He has particular expertise in institutional portfolio valuation, leased fee and leasehold financial valuation, consulting, mediation and dispute resolution, and the valuation of tunnels and easements. He is a frequent educational speaker and lecturer for attorneys, appraisers and real estate consultants.
Mr. McKee was previously employed as a geologist with Roger Lowe Associates, Bellevue, Washington. His work included site evaluation of geologic and hydrologic conditions and hazards, economic feasibility analysis, and construction inspection. Mr. McKee was employed as a physical oceanographer with the research company SAIC. Mr. McKee was an independent investment manager and analyst. He authored Optival, a computer program for analyzing and valuing stock options, and was also employed as an investment software developer with Expert Systems, Inc., Redmond, Washington.
Ken Barnes, MAI, Emeritus
Mr. Barnes graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia with a BS in Biochemistry in 1982. In 1988 Mr. Barnes received an MBA with a Finance concentration from the University of Chicago.
Mr. Barnes received the MAI (Member Appraisal Institute) designation in 1989. He also holds the CRE designation awarded by the Counselors of Real Estate. Mr. Barnes entered the real estate business in 1981, first as a principal acquiring and renovating small rental properties, and then as an appraiser in 1983 with Moore & Shryock in Columbia, Missouri. In 1984 Mr. Barnes moved to Chicago to join Real Estate Research Corporation. He joined Cushman & Wakefield in 1989 as a Senior Appraiser in Seattle. In 1990, Mr. Barnes was elected an officer of the company as a Director and Manager of the Seattle practice. In 1998 he left the company to travel and returned to CB Richard Ellis. After 18 months of corporate advisory work he joined first one, and then a second, startup in executive roles. Mr. Barnes returned to Cushman & Wakefield in 2001 as Director. Mr. Barnes joined McKee Appraisal as Principal in 2006.
Mr. Barnes has authored a number of articles in the Appraisal Journal and other real estate publications, and has been a guest speaker or panelist for real estate organizations including NAIOP, IREM and the Appraisal Institute.
Mr. Barnes is a Certified General Real Estate (Washington State License No. 1100578, Oregon State License No. C000818) and has completed the requirements of the continuing education program of the Appraisal Institute. In his appraisal experience, Mr. Barnes has appraised and analyzed a wide variety of commercial property types, and provided critical appraisal, consultation and litigation services to a diversified range of clients.
Amy Grandstrom, MAI
Ms. Grandstrom graduated Cum Laude from the University of Washington with a major in English and a minor in Environmental Studies. She joined the firm of McKee Appraisal in December of 2001. Previous work experience includes fitness instruction, legal research, graphic design and web construction.
Ms. Grandstrom has appraised a wide range of property types, including preparation of comprehensive narrative appraisals for vacant land, proposed properties, and existing improvements. Valuation has encompassed fee simple, leased fee and leasehold estates. Property types appraised have included office buildings, retail, biotechnology, industrial, condominium and apartment properties. Ms. Grandstrom has extensive experience with both full and partial acquisition appraisals, for public agency acquisition. She has worked extensively on the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project and the Seattle Waterfront LID Benefit Study. She was the Project Manager for the Mercer Corridor acquisitions for the City of Seattle.
Appraisal coursework includes USPAP, Business Practice and Ethics, Report Writing, Highest and Best Use & Market Analysis, Advanced Sale Comparison and Cost Approaches, Advanced Applications and Advanced Income Capitalization from the Appraisal Institute. In addition to her appraisal practice, she also supports computer network and software integration. Ms. Grandstrom is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser (Washington State Certificate No. 1101666) and has completed the requirements of the continuing education program of the Appraisal Institute. She received her MAI (Member of Appraisal Institute) designation in 2010. Ms. Grandstrom is a lifelong resident of the Seattle area.
Matthew Lange
Mr. Lange graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and a lifelong resident of the Seattle area. As a Senior Appraiser, Mr. Lange has appraised properties involving all major commercial property types including office, retail, industrial, residential, and special purpose. This includes preparation of comprehensive narrative appraisals for vacant land, proposed properties, and existing improvements. Valuation has encompassed fee simple, leased fee and leasehold estates.
Mr. Lange also has extensive experience with both full and partial acquisition appraisals, for public agency acquisition, and was the Project Manager for the appraisal of the underground interests acquired by Sound Transit for the Capitol Hill (downtown to UW) segment and above ground interests for the Tukwila segment (downtown to SeaTac).
Mr. Lange has completed most of the requirements for the MAI designation (Member of the Appraisal Institute), including successfully completing and passing several hundred hours of designation education, and completing over five thousand hours of specialized appraisal experience. He is a Practicing Affiliate of the Appraisal Institute, and is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser (Washington State Certificate No. 1101679) and Oregon Certified General Real Estate Appraiser (Oregon State Certificate No. C001149).
James A. Greenleaf, MAI, AI-GRS
Mr. Greenleaf joined the firm of McKee Appraisal as Principal in 2010. McKee Appraisal is a comprehensive commercial appraisal company employing more than twenty professional appraisers, providing critical analysis and information to corporate, government and private clients nationwide. Mr. Greenleaf graduated from University of Connecticut, in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance & Real Estate Appraisal. He subsequently received a Masters of Business Administration Degree with an emphasis in Urban Development and Quantitative Analysis from University of Washington in 1979.
Mr. Greenleaf received the MAI (Member of Appraisal Institute) designation in 1986 and received the AI-GRS (General Review Specialist) in 2014. Mr. Greenleaf joined the Seattle firm of Conger, Schueler & McKown as a commercial appraiser in 1975 and became a Partner in the firm of Schueler, McKown & Keenan in 1987. In 1995, he founded Greenleaf Valuation Group in Seattle, Washington.
Mr. Greenleaf is a State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in both Washington (No. 1100685) and Oregon (No. C001203), and has received a Certificate of Completion for the Valuation of Conservation Easements certificate program in 2010 as offered by the American Society of Appraisers, the American Society of Farm Manager and Rural Appraisers and the Appraisal Institute and endorsed by the Land Trust Alliance. Mr. Greenleaf has completed the requirements of the continuing education program of the Appraisal Institute. Mr. Greenleaf served as the President of the Seattle Chapter of the Appraisal Institute in 1998 and was awarded Appraiser of the Year in 2005. Mr. Greenleaf is a member of the International Right-of-Way Association (IRWA) and the American Real Estate Society (ARES).
In his appraisal experience, Mr. Greenleaf has appraised and analyzed a wide variety of commercial property types, including office, retail, industrial, as well as open space, and special purpose properties. He has provided consultation, arbitration and litigation services to a diversified range of clients. Mr. Greenleaf’s extensive public project appraisal and consultation work includes managing reviews for Sound Transit’s Link light rail project and the Brightwater facility, arbitration on the King County Airport and the Washington State Trade and Convention Center, along with other review and feasibility studies. He has particular expertise in leaseholds, restrictive convents and other fractional interests, as well as the valuation of wetlands and various types of open space. He is an approved Review Appraiser for the Washington State Department of Transportation, and has been certified as an expert witness in the Superior Courts of King and Pierce Counties.
Heather Woodside
Heather Woodside graduated from Washington State University in 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an option in Real Estate. During her college career she was awarded an Appraisal Institute scholarship, the Outstanding Undergraduate in Finance Award and she graduated summa cum laude. Heather joined McKee Appraisal in 1995 and became a State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in 1998. McKee & Schalka became McKee Appraisal in 2015.
Mrs. Woodside is a Senior Appraiser and has performed numerous appraisals on a wide variety of property types. Her practice includes particular emphasis on restaurants, retail, apartments, hotels, and industrial properties. Although the majority of her appraisal work has been in the Seattle Metropolitan Area, she also has done a substantial amount of work in Thurston, Whatcom, and Skagit Counties, the Portland Metropolitan area and in Central and Eastern Washington. Properties appraised also include vacant land, senior housing, marinas, parking lots and garages, leased properties, supermarkets and various other property types.
Appraisal coursework includes Real Estate Valuation, Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Finance and Investments, Real Estate Investment and Analysis, Real Estate Law, Real Estate Administration, and Theory of Urban Design and Development, Real Estate Principles of Maintenance and Repair, Highest and Best Use and Market Analysis, Report Writing and Valuation Analysis, Evaluating Commercial Construction, Land and Site Valuation, How To Analyze and Value Income Properties, Current Issues in Appraising, and Standards of Professional Practice, Part A. Prior to joining McKee Appraisal, Mrs. Woodside was employed at the Washington Center for Real Estate Research as a research technician. Mrs. Woodside is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser (Washington State Certificate No. 1100623).
Haile Freeman
A fifth-generation Seattleite, Ms. Freeman graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Prior to joining McKee Appraisal in 2007, she was a paralegal in a Seattle law firm focusing on insurance coverage and insurance defense.
Her responsibilities within the firm include: project scheduling and resource allocation, contract administration, bookkeeping, and education planning. She also provides administrative support to the four principal appraisers.
Ms. Freeman has completed appraisal coursework: Real Estate Appraisal Principles, Real Estate Appraisal Procedures, and the Uniform Standards for Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
Eric McKee
Eric McKee graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics. His studies were focused on international economics. He is employed as a Principal Appraiser and senior manager with McKee Appraisal, an established company specializing in urban commercial real estate appraisal currently employing 14 professional appraisers.
Since joining McKee Appraisal in 2010, Eric has appraised a variety of property types throughout the Puget Sound Region including apartment, retail, industrial, office, commercial and residential land, and special purpose. This work has been conducted for institutional, municipal, and private clients. He has significant experience in complex acquisition appraisals and eminent domain, including numerous appraisals for Sound Transit (acquiring for LINK light rail) and King County (for acquisition of wastewater tunnels and CSO projects within Seattle). Currently, Eric is Project Manager for firm acquisition appraisals in support of Sound Transit’s Stride S3 Line.
Eric became a State-Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in Washington State in 2018, and has completed all educational requirements for the MAI designation. Courses have included all qualifying education in addition to the advanced curriculum with AI Business Practices and Ethics, Advanced Income Capitalization, Advanced Market Analysis and Highest & Best Use, Advanced Concepts & Case Studies and Quantitative Analysis.
Mr. McKee has specific expertise in the analysis and appraisal of leased fee and leasehold positions, discounted cash flow analysis and urban development land. Eric is a lifelong resident of Seattle. He manages and mentors appraisers and appraiser trainees, in addition to providing strategic business management and business development for the company.
Charlie McKee, MAI
Mr. McKee graduated from the University of Washington in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. In 1988, he was a member of the U.S. Olympic Team, where he competed in the 470 Class Sailing competition, earning a bronze medal. In 1989 and 1990, he was the business manager for a residential contracting company. He joined the firm of McKee Appraisal as an appraiser in 1991, and received the MAI (Member of Appraisal Institute) designation in 1995. He is a life-long resident of Seattle.
Mr. McKee is a State Registered Real Estate Appraiser Trainee (Washington State Certificate No. 1002223). A partial list of the property types for which narrative appraisals have been prepared includes multi-family, lodging, retail and commercial, office, industrial, residential subdivision, medical office and special-purpose properties. Appraisals have been prepared for vacant land, as well as proposed properties and existing improvements. Interests valued include both fee simple and leased fee.
Mary S. Kim
Mary Kim is a Management Associate and a State-Registered Real Estate Appraiser Trainee (Washington State Certificate No. 1002177) with McKee Appraisal. She oversees daily operations of the firm and assists in appraisals of private property and public works, including eminent domain of partial and full acquisitions. Major projects include Lynnwood Link Station and TOD Surplus sites from Sound Transit.
Ms. Kim graduated from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of the Arts Degree in English and African Studies. During this time, she studied abroad in Rome and Cameroon, conducting field study of the Bamum language.
Prior to joining the McKee Appraisal team, she worked in Public Finance, providing research and financing solution services to charter and public school districts, higher education, non-profits, local and state governments, rural water, sanitary and improvement districts, healthcare finance, tribal finance, utility finance and special districts. She has a broad business background, including financial records and e-commerce, marketing and management for both retail and service businesses.
Amy Bradley
Amy is third generation Seattleite and a second-generation Bradley in local commercial real estate. A previous employee of Commercial Brokers Association and CoStar, Inc, as well as working in residential investment and construction, she has acted as a bookkeeper, researcher, educator, and project manager.
She has spent substantial time as a researcher and educator, advising brokers, appraisers, and investors in new research tools and best practices in variety of asset classes. In addition to small group advisory, she has also spoken at CCIM Insights Breakfast and numerous market update presentations.
An avid hiker, backpacker, and boater, Amy splits her off time between trails in Washington, fire towers in Montana, and Western Washington rivers. She is a member of Washington Trails Assoc, Women Who Hike, and Everett Rowing Association.
Amy is a Registered Real Estate Appraiser Trainee (Washington State Certificate No. 21003470) and is currently completing coursework toward a BA at the Everett College campus.
Austin Kinzer
Austin Kinzer graduated with a BA in Business and Music from Chapman University, and a graduate degree in Finance & Accounting from The University of Melbourne. A lifelong resident of the area, Austin has experience as an analyst in the Seattle market from his time at Kinzer Partners.
Austin has assisted in appraising a variety of property types, including retail, industrial, office, and residential properties as well as vacant land. He has also assisted in eminent domain appraisal of both temporary and permanent easement rights.
Austin is a State Registered Real Estate Appraiser Trainee (Washington State Certificate No. 22003984). Prior to joining McKee Appraisal, he worked in various sectors of the Seattle Real Estate market, including property management, brokerage, and development.
Dennis Berg
Dennis is a Registered Real Estate Appraiser Trainee (Washington State Certificate No. 22025757) with McKee Appraisal. He assists in appraisals and valuations of commercial property, including eminent domain appraisal.
Mr. Berg graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Studies. His interest in finance and real estate after graduation guided him on his career path beginning as an equity and bond option trader at the Chicago Board of Trade. From there he worked as a senior financial consultant at AG Edwards, helping to manage corporate, trust, individual retirement, and pension investment accounts for his clients.
Prior to joining the McKee Appraisal team, he worked as a mortgage consultant, solar energy project sales consultant, and an Appraisal valuations analyst at Cushman and Wakefield. He has provided Sales and Income analysis research and report writing for property types such as office, retail, mixed use, multi family, industrial, vacant land, and special uses such as public parking garages and auto service. Mr. Berg has also worked on cost analysis of property valuations within a multi $billion hospitality REIT portfolio of world class hotels. His appraisal course completion has included Principals and Procedures of appraisal and USPAP guidelines. At this time he continues his work and studies toward obtaining Certified General Appraiser licensing in the future.
Kyle Romain
Kyle Romain is a State Registered Real Estate Appraiser Trainee (Washington State Certificate No. 24021059), specializing in appraisals and valuations of commercial properties. In addition to his appraisal duties, he manages all technology and hardware for the company.
Kyle graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. His passion for technology led him to create and work for a startup consulting company. During his time there, the company helped product managers bring their visions for new applications and systems to life, while also providing comprehensive IT support to multiple businesses. Following this, Kyle returned to academia to earn his Master’s degree in Information Management from the University of Washington in Seattle. While completing the coursework required for appraiser licensing, he transitioned the firm to a cloud-based platform, and also provided support to several of the company’s large projects with research, analysis, and documentation.
Freya Salsbury
Freya graduated from the University of Washington in 2024 with a B.A. in Mathematics. During her time at UW, she was an officer of the UW Cycling Club, a research assistant in computational neuroscience with UW Pediatrics, and a cellist in the Campus Philharmonic Orchestra. She was also often busy as a portrait photographer specializing in grad photos and senior photos.
She began her internship with McKee Appraisal in April 2023, and joined the company full-time after graduation in June 2024. While completing the coursework required for appraiser licensing, she is providing support to several of the company’s large projects with research, analysis, and documentation.