David E. Balfour, MAI
President & Certified General Appraiser
Oregon Valuation Group, Inc is owned and operated by David E. Balfour, MAI. David is a Designated Member of the Appraisal Institute and has nearly eleven years of experience as a real property appraiser and review appraiser. His appraisal practice heavily focuses upon assignments in the right-of-way/eminent domain sector. He is a qualified expert witness and has testified in court to his appraisal assignments. David is approved to the Qualified Appraiser List for both the Oregon and Washington Departments of Transportation. Lastly, he has passed all current course work for Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (“Yellow Book”).
As to volunteer work, David is a Board Member of Chapter 3 of the International Right-of-Way Association (IRWA). Outside of the right-of-way/eminent domain sector, David conducts a substantial amount of land development appraisal assignments which benefits his right-of-way/eminent domain practice inasmuch as most of right-of-way valuation problems pertain to subject sites as-if vacant.
David also appraises land parcels, residential development land tracts, subdivisions, agricultural parcels, timber parcels, improved commercial, industrial, and office properties, and more. Services include public acquisition work, litigation support, estate planning, commercial lending assignments, and more.
In his free time, David enjoys spending time with his wife Jessica, his sons, Bruce, Bo, and Brick, and his labrador retriever, Pearl. David has coached high school football for the past twelve years and is continuing at Sherwood High School (Go Bowmen!). David attended Linfield College and played football for the Wildcats.
Sam Karpeles
Certified General Appraiser
Sam has been a Certified General Appraiser since July 2020. Since becoming an appraiser trainee in April 2017, he has gained experience in a variety of assignments such as charitable remainders, estate planning, public acquisitions, federal land acquisitions (Yellow Book), shopping centers, office, retail and industrial buildings, single-family residences, multifamily properties, and residential subdivisions.
Sam was born in upstate New York but grew up in Sherwood, Oregon. After graduating from Sherwood High School in 2008, Sam attended Oregon State University on a Naval ROTC Scholarship and graduated from OSU in 2013, where he also was Commissioned into the US Navy as an Ensign.
He resides in Tigard, Oregon with his wife, dog and two cats. Outside of the office, Sam enjoys spending time outside with his dog Olive, golfing, playing basketball and attending as many Beaver and Blazer games that he can.
Zack Jacobs
Appraiser TrAINEE
Zack is currently pursuing his Certified General Appraiser certification. Since joining OVG, he has gained experience in a variety of assignments such as estate planning, public acquisitions, federal land acquisitions (Yellow Book), shopping centers, office, retail and industrial buildings, single-family residences, multifamily properties, and residential subdivisions.
Zack earned an B.A. in Sociology at Linfield University in 2020. During his time at Linfield, Zack was a collegiate football player. Prior to becoming an Appraiser Trainee, Zack worked at MacLaren Juvenile Correctional Facility in the Campus Operations unit where he assisted in controlling the movements and operations within the facility, as well as providing security and support when needed.
Zack’s hobbies include coaching football and playing with his new German Shephard puppy.
Erin Burns
project & research coordinator
Erin assists the firm in project management, communicating with clients, property owners and consultants, coordinating and maintaining delivery schedules and project deadlines, providing timely information to clients and property owners, coordinating research, and providing assistance to the appraisal staff.
Erin is an Oregon native and grew up in Portland. After receiving her bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon, she earned an M.S. in Education from Portland State University. In her free time, Erin enjoys spending time with her yellow lab, Penny. She also loves reading, going to movies, and spending time in the outdoors.
Maria Friesen
project & research coordinator
Maria assists the firm in project management, communicating with clients, property owners and consultants, coordinating and maintaining delivery schedules and project deadlines, providing timely information to clients and property owners, coordinating research, and providing assistance to the appraisal staff.
Maria was a navy kid born in the Philippines who ended up growing up in the small town of Port Orchard, WA. She moved to Oregon in 2013 and currently resides in Tigard, Oregon with her husband, daughter, and one dog. Prior to becoming a Project & Research Coordinator, Maria was in banking for 15 years with her last banking adventure in the Financial Investigations field providing Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering Quality Assurance. In her free time, Maria enjoys spending time with her family, playing soccer, and arts & crafts.