Rex S. Garrison, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, started his professional career in 1990 after graduating with a B.S. degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance Management and a minor in Computer Science from Milligan College in Johnson City, TN. From 1990 to 1992, he garnered experience performing appraisal valuations, appraisal reviews, new construction inspections for loan disbursements, and REO management with Home Federal Savings Bank in Johnson City, Tennessee. In 1992, he started working with Warren Klutz, MAI, SRA, CCIM, MS, MBA, and became certified. He gained experience appraising commercial, industrial, and residential properties for financial institutions, as well as private and corporate clients. In addition, he developed expertise in performing eminent domain appraisals for government clients; analyzing income statements for purposes of estimating market value; and conducting research relating to sales and trends in real estate markets on a local and national level.
In 2001, Mr. Garrison established Garrison Appraisal Services which has been rebranded to Garrison Group. With about 30 years’ experience in real estate, he specializes in valuing and analyzing commercial, industrial, and residential properties. Areas of expertise include valuing various ownership interests in all types of properties for financial, corporate, and private clients. He also provides consulting services and appraisal reviews, as well as market analysis and feasibility studies on various commercial and residential developments. Additional services include litigation support and tax appeal consultation. The firm is located in the Johnson City, Tennessee. The market area covers all of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
Mr. Garrison, a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky holds the MAI, SRA and AI-GRS designations which are considered to be the most prestigious and pinnacle designations in real estate valuation. In 2016, Mr. Garrison was appointed by Governor Bill Haslam to serve on the Tennessee Real Estate Appraisal Commission (TREAC) for a three-year term. In 2019, he was appointed by Governor Bill Lee to serve another three years on TREAC. In addition, Mr. Garrison has served in various leadership positions with the Greater Tennessee Chapter of the Appraisal Institute including President in 2016. He was awarded the Rosco Jackson Award for service in 2011 and in 2012, and also serves in various leadership positions with other service organizations including serving on the Board of Directors for Providence Academy. Since 2016, Mr. Garrison serves as an adjunct professor at East Tennessee State University teaching Real Estate Appraisals. His leadership skills extend outside the real estate profession to several community groups.
Jennifer A. Garrison is a 1990 graduate of Milligan College with a B.S. degree in paralegal studies and a minor in business administration. Jennifer has worked in small and large law firms gaining a wide array of experience in various areas of law. She worked most of her law office career specializing in real estate where she performed simple and complex title abstracts; prepared documentation for real estate closings; conducted numerous real estate closings; as well as researched data needed for real estate transactions. Jennifer also has worked as a Broker’s Assistant in a major real estate office while living in Pennsylvania, where she held her salesperson license and assisted both buyers and sellers in the housing market. Upon her return to Tennessee, Jennifer began taking classes to obtain her appraisal license; however, due to extenuating circumstances, she took a different career path and has obtained her real estate sales broker’s license. With her broker’s license, her focus will be on that of commercial real estate sales.
Eric Ballard is a native of the Tri-Cities area, having lived in Bristol most of his life. Eric began working for a local MAI in 2000 as an appraisal associate. Eric joined the Garrison Group after his former employer retired from active appraisal work. He hopes to contribute to the Garrison Group with his 20 years of appraisal experience.
Eric has assisted in completing numerous complex commercial and industrial assignments in Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Eric has experience with a variety of property types, including shopping centers and office properties, to subdivisions and apartment complexes. Eric has also worked on Federal Land Acquisition appraisal projects as well as conservation easements and large tract appraisals.
Eric and his wife, Vickie, have two adult children. He and his wife live in Bluff City, TN.
Mr. Don R. Dykes has experience in masonry, frame, and finish carpentry, working in commercial and residential construction from 1978 to 1987. He was employed by Home Federal Savings Bank/First Tennessee Bank in 1978 and managed REO properties, performed new construction progress and disbursement reports, completed residential appraisals and appraisal reviews, and supervised and trained other in-house appraisers until 1993. Mr. Dykes has been an independent residential fee appraiser since 1993. In 1993, Mr. Dykes was a partner in Dykes and Gardner Appraisal Services performing multiple appraisals and consulting assignments. Mr. Dykes joined the Garrison Group team in 2020 to be the Senior Residential Appraiser.
Mr. Dykes graduated from East Tennessee State University with a B. S. degree in Finance with a Real Estate emphasis. He received The Department of Economics and Finance College of Business of East Tennessee State University George C. Myers Real Estate Award for school year 1992-1993. He has been a Certified Residential Real Estate appraiser in Tennessee since 1991. His experience and skills cover all facets of single-family residential and vacant land appraisals. Outside of real estate, Mr. Dykes has taught Sunday School and has been an Elder in his church.
Alyssa Hill has been with Garrison Group, LLC/Garrison Appraisal Services for over five years. She provides administrative support for valuation projects; assists with data research and trend analysis; and coordinates valuation projects making sure of their completion. By utilizing her excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and professional demeanor with clients, she provides invaluable service to Garrison Group and its clients. Alyssa holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Milligan College. In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her husband and son doing creative projects, exploring the mountains, or just hanging out at home.
