THE Australian Property Institute is holding its 2020 National Board election. The API is urging members to cast their vote and help shape the future of the Institute. David Heung is one of the candidates seeking to be elected to the national board of the API.
- What is your interest to come on board with the Australian Property Institute?
My name is David Heung. I am a working CPV and current AAPI just like most of you. I bring with me twenty years of experience in the property valuation profession. I have worked for multiple organisations including but not limit to CBRE, NAB, WBP. My professional career began as a cadet with exposure to mass computer based municipal valuation in the Mornington Peninsula Shire, and the rest has been dedicated to mortgage valuation including residential, commercial and industrial properties. Being one of the charter members of the South Eastern Valuers Discussion Group without any association unlike the business owning counterpart, I understand the issues revolve around the working valuers on a daily basis.
My interest to becoming one of the board of directors with the API is very clear. It is the principle role of any professional body and that is to serve and defend interests of fee-paying members through advocacy. My priority is to advance working valuers’ interests, especially in regards to mortgage work which is a large portion of the members. I believe that there is a missing link between our professional body and members at the moment and I will be glad to act as a bridge and provide better mutual understanding and insights. There is also a need to reach national realisation by improving standards, organisation structures and promotion through strategic planning and utilising available resources. I will also encourage and support the API Board and associates in looking to develop and promote our profession, and work towards building respect and reputation of the industry. I will accept challenge to establish and grow our reputation for independence, professionalism as well as diversity and even collaboration. Another important aspect is to ensure the longevity of the profession by ways of recruiting and attracting new entrants as well as improving on educational provisions.
- What financial experience or expertise do you bring to the API?
Finance is basically considered as management of money revolving around numbers related activities such as budgeting, investing (borrowing / lending) analysis and forecasting which we do most on a daily basis. My profession as a valuer has provided me with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities and an open-mind for innovative and strategic financial management decisions.
- What governance experience do you bring to the API?
I have had the great privilege to serve a one-year term as the President of one of the Australian Lions Clubs, in co-operating and guiding fellow members to serve and support the local communities. This has provided me invaluable and practical experience to enhance and strengthen my governance experience. Achieving the District Governor’s choice club of the year in 2017 from 52 clubs have proven my experience, leadership and ability to make tangible contribution. It has lead me to fully understand the importance and needs of maintaining professional, legal and ethical standards.
- What strategic planning experience do you bring to the API?
In order to achieve goals and vision, it is imperative for an organisation to have strategic planning. My successful term as a Lions Club President enabled me and the team to achieve short and long term goals through strategic planning. With my strong analytical skills and up-to-date knowledge of the valuation and relevant industries, I take pride in my confidence and ability to understand and balance between requirements and responsibilities of valuers and the valuation industry; thus I am confident that I can proactively assist and support the API in strategic planning.
- To further pursue API’s strategic direction, it would be of great benefit if prospective Directors could contribute advocacy, policy and/or digital communications experience to the Board. What is your experience in one or more of these areas?
As a Club President of an international organisation, it was my primary responsibility to contribute advocacy, policy and digital communication to not only board members of the Club, but also boards of other club branches, fellow members, sponsors and the wider community. Furthermore, I had been a host of a public radio broadcasting program of 3CW for the past 2 years, which had not only enhanced my verbal and technical communications skills but also my abilities to influence audiences at different levels.
- In general, what can you bring to the API and why should members elect you?
I believe a healthy mix of board of directors should include representatives from working valuers. I am committed to addressing the upcoming challenges in the path of upholding professional standards, integrity and diversity. I am a strong believer of the quote from Albert Einstein being: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” I believe that members are the core of any association and they need to be heard. I trust I am a candidate that can bring and channel ideas from various perspective especially from our working colleagues. I am prepared to invest the time needed to make valuable contribution to the Board and API and excited about the future potential of the industry and look forward to the opportunity to be a valuable member of the API board and being able to advocate for API members in reaching new levels of success.
More information on the 2020 Election can be found at https://www.api.org.au/about/api-pty-ltd-board-governance/meet-the-candidates-2020-api-board-elections/
