Meet the Team

Meet the Team

Thunder Bay District Appraisers

Our Thunder Bay appraisers know the local market and provide accurate, timely valuations for all property types.

Mike Vecchio

P.App, AACI, MRICS - President & Owner 

mvecchio@appraisalgroup.ca

(807)344-8886 ext 4

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Graydon Butt

P.App, AACI, MRICS, CIPS

gbutt@appraisalgroup.ca

(807)768-9595

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David Fretz

P.App, CRA

dfretz@appraisalgroup.ca

(807)344-8886 ext 5

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Chris Pace

P.App, CRA

cpace@appraisalgroup.ca.

(807)344-8886 ext 7

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Janelle (DaRosa) Gardiman

AIC Candidate Appraiser

jdarosa@appraisalgroup.ca

(807)344-8886 ext 6

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Michael Vecchio Jr

AIC Candidate Appraiser

mjvecchio@appraisalgoup.ca

(807)344-8886 ext 8

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Kenora, Fort Frances/Rainy River District Appraisers

Serving Northwestern Ontario, our appraisers handle residential, commercial, and recreational properties with regional expertise.

Elizabeth Turner (Kenora)

P.App, CRA

bturner@appraisalgroup.ca

(807)407-3979

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Shelby Gustafson (Kenora)

P.App, CRA

sgustafson@appraisalgroup.ca

(807)464-2870

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Leslie Barr (Fort Frances)

P.App, CRA

lbarr@appraisalgroup.ca

(807)271-5324

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Client Services & Office Support Team

From scheduling to delivery, our admin team ensures your appraisal process is smooth and efficient.

Holly Nguyen

General Manager

holly@appraisalgroup.ca

(807)344-8886 ext 3

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Lorraine Hunt

Office Manager

lhunt@appraisalgroup.ca

(807)344-8886 ext 2

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Jessica Kuchiak

Administrative Assistant

jkuchiak@appraisalgroup.ca

(807)344-8886 ext 1

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Ziwei (Cecilia) Fu

Administrative Assistant

mail@appraisalgroup.ca

.

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Morgen Kuch

Administrative Assistant

mail@appraisalgroup.ca

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Energy Advisors

Appraisal Group’s Energy Division is proud to include two certified Registered Energy Advisors (REAs) who are licensed through Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

Mike Pucci

Energy Advisor

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Alireza Ebrahimi Zad

Energy Advisor

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Appraisal Group (Thunder Bay) Inc.

521 John Street Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1Y3

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Michael Vecchio

P.App, AACI, MRICS – President & Owner 

Michael Vecchio is the President and Owner of Appraisal Group (Thunder Bay) Inc., a well-established firm that has proudly served Northwestern Ontario since 1994. With over 35 years of experience in the real estate industry, Michael is a licensed Real Estate Broker, an Accredited Appraiser with the Appraisal Institute of Canada, and a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (UK/Europe/USA/Asia). He is also a former Chair of the Appraisal Institute of Canada – Thunder Bay Chapter Board. 

Michael possesses a deep knowledge of a wide range of property types, including residential, recreational, vacant land, multifamily, industrial, commercial buildings of all kinds, office buildings, and investment properties. In addition to leading the appraisal division, he actively manages a diverse real estate portfolio and oversees the company’s property management and energy advising divisions. He has a keen interest in investment properties, particularly multifamily residential, and brings valuable insight and strategic guidance to clients pursuing these opportunities. 

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Michael is deeply committed to the region. Appraisal Group’s head office is located in Thunder Bay, with additional offices in Kenora, Dryden, and Fort Frances—ensuring comprehensive service across Northwestern Ontario. 

Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, managing, or planning—Michael and his team are here for all your real estate needs. 

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Graydon Butt

P.App, AACI, MRICS, CIPS

Graydon has over 48 years experience in property valuation and has been with Appraisal Group (Thunder Bay) Inc since 2007. Graydon is an Accredited Appraiser with the Appraisal Institute of Canada, a Professional Land Economist with the Association of Ontario Land Economists, a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (UK/Europe/USA/Asia) and holds the CIPS
Certified International Property Specialist from the National Association of Realtors (USA/CREA).

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David Fretz

P.App, CRA

David has been a member of the Appraisal Institute of Canada since 2011, holding a CRA designation. David graduated from Lakehead University with a degree in Business in 2006 and has been working with Appraisal Group since 2011.

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Christopher Pace

P.App, CRA

Chris has been a Member of the Appraisal Institute of Canada since 2013 and holds a CRA designation. Chris graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science through Bemidji State University and has completed his Masters of Education at Lakehead University, and he has been with Appraisal Group since 2013.

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Janelle (DaRosa) Gardiman

AIC Candidate Appraiser

Janelle started working for Appraisal Group (Thunder Bay) Inc. in 2014 and has been a candidate member with the Appraisal Institute of Canada since 2020. She has a bachelor’s degree in business and is currently continuing her education with the University of British Columbia in the Real Estate Division. She has experience working in both the private and public sectors of real estate. Janelle graduated from the Leadership of Thunder Bay Program in 2021 and is on the Appraisal Institute of Canada – Thunder Bay Chapter Board. 

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Michael Vecchio Jr

AIC Candidate Appraiser

Michael has been working for Appraisal Group (Thunder Bay) Inc since 2017, and became a Candidate Member of the Appraisal Institute of Canada since 2020. Michael has a bachelor’s degree in Business from Lakehead University and is continuing his education by attending the University of British Columbia Saunder’s School of Business in the Real Estate Division, working his way towards a CRA designation.

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Elizabeth Turner

P.App, CRA  (Kenora District)

Beth is originally from Winnipeg and completed her B.A. at the University of Waterloo, followed by a technical writing program. She joined the Appraisal Institute of Canada as a candidate member in 2019 and achieved her CRA designation in 2022. She resides in Kenora and services many different communities across Northwestern Ontario.

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Shelby Gustafson

P.App, CRA (Kenora District)

Shelby Gustafson has been a member of the Appraisal Institute of Canada since 2017 and currently holds a CRA designation. Shelby services the Kenora/Lake of the Woods region as well as Red Lake and various Northwestern Ontario communities. Shelby graduated from the University of Manitoba with a bachelor’s degree in management and economics and is presently continuing education to work towards the AACI designation.

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Leslie Barr

P.App, CRA (Fort Frances/Rainy River District)

Leslie was born and raised in the Rainy River District and currently resides in Fort Frances, ON. Leslie has bachelor’s degrees in physical education and in education.  She retired as an elementary school principal from the Rainy River District School Board in 2015.  She attained her real estate sales license in 2017.  Leslie became a Candidate Member of the Appraisal Institute of Canada in 2019 and currently holds a CRA designation.  Leslie provides appraisal services to communities in the Rainy River District.

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Holly Nguyen

General Manager

With 30 years of industry experience, Holly Nguyen has been an integral part of Appraisal Group since 1995. As General Manager, she plays a vital role in overseeing daily operations, financial management, and administrative functions. Holly’s leadership, attention to detail, and commitment to operational excellence have been instrumental in driving the company’s continued growth and maintaining the highest standards of service. 

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Lorraine Hunt

Office Manager

Lorraine is a graduate of Lakehead University, where she earned an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. With over 12 years of experience at Appraisal Group, Lorraine has developed a strong background in the real estate appraisal industry. She has further honed her expertise by completing the Foundations of Real Estate Appraisal course at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Outside of her professional work, Lorraine is passionate about reading, roller skating and Taylor Swift. Lorraine is a proud parent of two children, balancing her career with a fulfilling family life.

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Jessica Kuchiak

Administrative Assistant

Jessica has been with Appraisal Group since 2022. She is the warm and welcoming voice that answers phone calls and emails, efficiently scheduling appointments and providing helpful responses while directing inquiries to the appropriate channels. With a diploma in Film Production, she brings a creative touch to everything she does. When not working, Jessica loves travelling or staying home and hanging out with her two black cats, Poppy and Mango, who always keep life interesting.

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Ziwei (Cecilia) Fu

Administrative Assistant

Cecilia is an Office Administrator at Appraisal Group (Thunder Bay) Inc., where she manages records, assists visitors, and provides administrative support to appraisers throughout the property valuation process. She holds an MBA from Lakehead University and a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from Macao University of Tourism.

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Morgen Kuch

Administrative Assistant

Morgen is an Office Administrator at the Appraisal Group Thunder Bay Inc. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to efficiency, she manages reports and provides support for commercial inspections. Morgen excels at streamlining administrative processes and maintaining a thoughtful work ethic to support the team’s success. Currently pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Indigenous Studies at Lakehead University, Morgen is passionate about combining her academic knowledge with practical skills in the workplace. Her future aspirations include a career in psychology, where she hopes to make a positive impact through her dedication to mental health and community well-being.

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Mike Pucci

Energy Advisor

Mike Pucci, born and raised in Thunder Bay, has dedicated over 40 years to the construction and maintenance industry, building a reputation for reliability and expertise across Northwestern Ontario. He became a Certified Home Inspector with HouseMaster in 1999 and has since completed thousands of home inspections and energy audits throughout the region. Mike became a Certified Energy Advisor in 2009 and a Registered Energy Advisor in 2018, bringing a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainability to his work. His deep industry knowledge and commitment to quality have made him a trusted resource for homeowners looking to improve the safety, comfort, and energy performance of their homes.

Alireza Ebrahimi Zad

Energy Advisor

Alireza is a Registered Energy Advisor (REA) and Certified Energy Manager (CEM) who provides energy assessments and consulting services for both residential and commercial buildings. He has been with Appraisal Group since 2024, offering his expertise to support energy efficiency initiatives.

For homeowners, he conducts energy audits that help them access available rebates, 0% interest loans, and qualify for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program, particularly for those using oil heating systems. He also provides personalized recommendations to enhance comfort and improve energy efficiency during the winter months. In the commercial, institutional, and industrial sectors, Alireza performs comprehensive energy audits, uses thermal imaging to identify heat loss, detects air leakage, and delivers customized strategies to reduce energy consumption and improve overall efficiency.