Credentials of Thomas Dawson, Accredited Senior Appraiser

Thomas Dawson has been a licensed property and casualty insurance agent since 2014. Since 2017, he has appraised personal property for various intended uses including fire loss claims, property damage claims, insurance coverage, charitable donation, estate tax, division of marital assets, and potential sale. He appraises residential contents and general household property, particularly in the context of damage and loss claims, and has appraised business personal property, including commercial office furniture and equipment, store fixtures, and inventory. Additionally, Dawson maintains a specialized focus on music-related property, including musical instruments, recording equipment, music collections, memorabilia, as well as archives of manuscripts and valuable papers.

In a field underwriting capacity as an executive account manager at a P&C insurance agency (2014–2017), he placed coverage on millions of dollars’ worth of personal property, including vehicles, furniture, antiques, jewelry, consumer electronics, boats, collectibles, fine art, musical instruments and collections, music equipment, books and manuscripts, and photographs. During this time he liaised between insurance companies and policyholders on property loss claims resulting from fire, theft, water, wind, collision and physical damage.

A guitarist who has also worked professionally as a music producer and music editor, he has recorded and performed professionally for over 20 years, including as a member of American Idol Season 11 semifinalist Haley Johnsen’s band (2015–2017) and in a collaboration with producer Lou Giordano (Goo Goo Dolls, Taking Back Sunday) on the arrangement and mix of one of his band’s singles. He has licensed original music for synchronization on multiple occasions, including two nationally broadcast American Express radio spots through Wieden+Kennedy and a song licensed for the independent film Last Man Running. After graduating from the University of Oregon School of Music he worked as a guitar instructor for over 10 years. He has written, recorded, marketed and sold multiple physical album releases as well as digital releases. He has been a royalty collecting member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) as a music creator, and publishing company owner since 2008.

Appraisal Accreditation and Training

  • Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA), Personal Property, American Society of Appraisers, since 2022, with specialty accreditations in Guitars and Residential Contents General

  • American Society of Appraisers personal property courses, completed with final exams at SUNY Purchase College, June 2018: Introduction to Personal Property Valuation (PP201), Development of a Personal Property Appraisal: Research and Analysis (PP202), Communication of a Personal Property Appraisal: Writing the Appraisal Report (PP203), Personal Property Valuation: The Legal and Regulatory Environment (PP204)

  • 15-Hour National USPAP Course (US015), American Society of Appraisers, April 2020

  • 2026–2027 7-Hour USPAP Update for Personal Property, American Society of Appraisers, March 2026

  • Appraising Fine Arts Overview (PP451), American Society of Appraisers, June 2025

  • Completion of the 2024 International Society of Appraisers (ISA) Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts (AFDA) course and passing of its final exam

Education

  • University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, B.S. Music, 2006, with focus on guitar; minor, Psychology

Insurance Licenses and Designations

  • Licensed insurance producer, Life and Health since 2013, Property and Casualty since 2014; licenses currently active in 15 states, including Property and Casualty in 13

  • Associate in Claims (AIC), The Institutes, 2026, designation in property-casualty claims handling, covering coverage analysis, investigation, and settlement across multiple lines

  • Certified Commercial Insurance Specialist, Allstate Insurance Company (internal designation), 2016

Presentations and Teaching

  • Panelist, “IRS 2026 Impacts, Including Music Valuation Issues,” ASA International Conference, Fort Worth, TX, October 2026. Addressed tangible personal property considerations in music-related valuation

  • Speaker, “Objectivity in the Aftermath: The Appraiser’s Guide to Assisting Clients Preparing for Inspections and Working with Insurance Companies After Catastrophe,” ASA International Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 2025

  • Speaker, “Basics of Property Insurance: What Appraisers Need to Know,” Appraisal Institute Southern California Chapter and RICS California Chapter, Los Angeles, CA, April 2025

  • Co-presenter, “Navigating Uncertainty: Business Valuation, Property Insurance, and Wildfire Risks,” ASA Los Angeles Chapter, Los Angeles, CA, March 2025 (2 CE hours). Presented the property insurance and wildfire risk portion

  • Instructor, PP163 Property Insurance Fundamentals, American Society of Appraisers (online), June 2024 (1.2 CE hours)

Professional/Dealer Experience

  • Private seller of guitars and related equipment, 2006–2017

  • Insurance agent assisting policyholders with fire, theft, and damage claims for homeowners, renters, auto, motorcycle, businessowners and commercial policies, 2014–2017

Professional Experience

  • Independent personal property appraiser, 2017–present

  • Principal, Oak Flat Resources Inc., Medicare insurance agency, 2016–present

  • Freelance professional guitarist, 2001–present

  • Assistant to John V. Henley, ASA, on appraisal assignments, 2018–2019

  • Pricing consultant, A&S Estate Sales of Oregon, 2018

  • Executive Account Manager, Hollywood Insurance, 2014–2017

Association Memberships and Leadership

  • American Society of Appraisers

  • Co-Vice President, Los Angeles Chapter, American Society of Appraisers, 2026–2027

  • American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Music Creator

  • Society of Composers and Lyricists, Member