About Leon Castner
Leon is a lifelong appraiser having been almost literally born in the antique and auction business in northern New Jersey. After gaining educational degrees (B.A. and M.T.S.) he joined the family firm in Branchville in 1974 as auction manager and appraiser. A few years later he joined the International Society of Appraisers at their inception. He quickly became accredited with both ISA and AAA (Appraisers Association of America) receiving his certification in Antiques & Residential Contents.
He has held almost every position within ISA including being one of the original board members, chair of the Foundation for Appraisal Education, and director of education. He has written, edited, and taught almost all the courses at ISA-both core and advanced. He has taught as an Adjunct Professor at Centenary College (University) and the University of Washington. He is currently a USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) certified instructor and teaches classes, webinars, and seminars across the US.
He was Senior Partner of NAC and is sought for his expertise, particularly in appraisal methodology and advanced appraisal theory. His specialty is ever expanding from the mundane to the unusual and weird. He has been used by the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board, the Department of US Homeland Security, the FBI, US Marshall’s Service, and provides appraisals on a regular basis that go before the IRS, the US Federal and State Courts, and insurance arbitration umpires.
Leon enjoys sharing his knowledge and likes to make it enjoyable and understandable. He co-hosted of the lively and entertaining “Value This with Brian and Leon” – a nationally syndicated public radio antiques and collectibles radio talk show.
Experience
- President, Castner Estate Service, Inc (Appraisals), 2003-present
- Head of Appraisal Department, Castner’s – 1985-2005
- President & Head Auctioneer, Castner’s, Branchville, NJ – 1990-2004
- Senior Partner, National Appraisal Consultants, Hope, NJ, Wilmington, NC, PA– 1992-2007
- Senior Partner, NAC, Philadelphia, PA (Schwenksville), 2008-present
- Director of Education, International Society of Appraisers, 2010-2016
Education
- B.A. 1970 Gordon College, Wenham, MA
- M.T.S. 1972 Gordon-Conwell Theological Sem., S. Hamilton, MA
- PhD. 1995 Western States University, Doniphon, MO (non-resident, non-traditional)
- Appraisal Courses: Indiana University (ISA 101, 102, 103, 104, 105)
- Appraisal Courses: Indiana University (ISA Appreciable Residential Contents, Antique & Period Jewelry)
- Satisfactorily Completed National USPAP Course, May 2007, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018
Memberships
- International Society of Appraisers (CAPP Designation)
- Past Member: Appraisers Association of America (Certified in Antiques & Decorative Art)
- Past Member: Claims Prevention and Procedures Council
Instructor
- Adjunct Professor of Fine Art, Centenary College, Hackettstown, NJ (1980’s)
- NAC Developer & Presenter: Understanding USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) – A Personal Property Perspective (1990’s)
- Castner Estate Service- Antique & Collectibles Seminar: Antiques & Significant Collectibles (1985-2000)
- New Jersey Department of Insurance: Appraising the Appraisal (Writer and Presenter)
- International Society of Appraisers-Core Course in Appraisal Studies 1999-2017
- University of Washington, Adjunct Professor 2006-present (Appraisal Studies)
- International Society of Appraisers – Re-qualification Course Instructor 2005-2017
- ISA Distance Education Instructor (Core Course in Appraisal Studies & Requalification) 2007-2017
- Certified USPAP Instructor 2014-present
Industry Recognition
- 1988 ISA Outstanding Member (International Society of Appraisers)
- 1990 ISA Outstanding Member
- 1993 New Jersey Auctioneer of Year
- 1993 ISA Outstanding Leadership Award
- 2004 ISA President’s Award (excellence in the Appraisal Profession)
- 2009 ISA Service Award
- 2009 ISA Publication Award (Journal of Advanced Appraisal Studies)
- 2010 ISA Lamp of Knowledge Award (Excellence in Education)
- 2014 ISA Distinguished Service Award
International Society of Appraisers
- 1998/03 ISA Ethics (Including Chair)
- 1993/94 ISA Ad Hoc Education Chair
- 1991-94 ISA Designation & Review Chair
- 2000-08 ISA Designation & Review (Appraisal Reviewer)
- 2002/08 Professional Development Team or Appraisal Studies Committee
- 2004/09 ISA Education Foundation (Chair of Board)
Other Duties / Recognition
- 2000-present -Radio Show Host, WRNJ/WNTI, Value This With Brian & Leon
- 1999 ABC 20/20 Consultant and Feature Show- “Estate Auction Fraud”
- 1997-2007 Feature Writer Renaissance Magazine
- 1996/99 Feature Writer Montage Magazine (What’s It Worth)
- 2000 Series Editor, Collector’s Compass, Martingale Press, Seattle, WA
- 2004-present Instructor, Appraisal Bootcamp (US)
- 2008 Author- Betcha Didn’t Know That (Antiques & Collectibles Tips)
- 2011 Author/Editor, Core Course in Appraisal Studies, International Society of Appraisers, Chicago, IL, used in ISA Introductory Courses
- 2001-2012 Creator/Presenter Advanced Appraisal Report Writing, International Society of Appraisers, Chicago, IL (includes teaching manual)
- 2012-2015 Speaker, NAWCC Classes, Understanding the Fundamentals of Watches and Clocks for Valuation, Lancaster, PA
Clients Include Insurance Companies, Private Insured, Attorneys, TASA, US Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security, Bankruptcy Court, Civil Court, Museums, Cities, Individuals (Estates, Insurance, Divorce, Claims and Litigation, Family and Equitable Division, Charitable Contribution, Unusual and Complex Appraisal Problems). Covering the entire country, particularly the East Coast.
Listen To the Weekly Radio Show: www.wnti.org
Or Listen on our web: www.ValueThisRadio.com