Credentials of Thomas Dawson
Accredited Senior Appraiser
Thomas Dawson has been a licensed property and casualty insurance agent since 2014. He has regularly appraised personal property, including musical instruments, instrument collections, music collections, music equipment, recording equipment, consumer electronics, residential contents, music archives, music and sports memorabilia, celebrity autograph memorabilia, and archives of manuscripts and valuable papers for payment since 2017.
While managing a P&C insurance agency, he properly insured 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 numerous property loss claims resulting from fire, theft, water, wind, collision and physical damage. He became a certified commercial insurance specialist in 2016, and has quoted, written and managed thousands of insurance policies covering various types of personal property, homes, autos, businesses and much more.
An accomplished guitarist, music producer, and music editor, he has collaborated with top music industry producers and performed with platinum-selling artists. He negotiated multiple music synchronization licensing contracts to feature his original compositions in nationally broadcast commercials. After graduating from the University of Oregon School of Music he worked as a guitar instructor for over 10 years. He has bought, sold and traded guitars and other music-related property for 20 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 Training
- Completion of the following courses and passing of their corresponding final exams at SUNY Purchase College, 2018: Introduction to Personal Property Valuation (PG201), 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 (PG204)
- Passed ASA Specialty Exam for Guitars Designation
- Passed ASA Specialty Exam for Residential Contents
- Additional connoisseurship courses taken at the University of Oregon (Music in World Culture, Music History)
- USPAP 2023-2024
- 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, with focus on guitar, Minor, Psychology
- State insurance license exams, Life and Health, 2013, Property and Casualty, 2014, licenses current with required minimum of 24 hours per year continuing education, currently licensed in Oregon, Washington and California
- Allstate Commercial Insurance Certification, 2016
- Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies, Certificate, University of California, Berkeley
Professional/Dealer Experience
- Professional guitarist for over 20 years with extensive instrument and equipment experience performing on stage and in studio sessions
- Private seller of guitars and related equipment, 2006 – 2017
- P&C insurance professional since 2014, reviewing numerous appraisals and insuring millions of dollars worth of various properties
- Experienced insurance agent in numerous fire, theft, and damage claims for homeowners, renters, auto, motorcycle, businessowners and commercial policies
Previous Work Experience
- Independent personal property appraiser and insurance consultant – Present
- Pricing consultant, A&S Estate Sales of Oregon - 2018
- Executive Account Manager at Hollywood Insurance 6/14 – 6/17
- Freelance professional guitarist/music producer and editor, 2001 – present
- Assistant to John V. Henley, Accredited Senior Appraiser, ASA, on several appraisal assignments
Association Memberships
- Accredited Senior Appraiser, ASA, American Society of Appraisers
- American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Music Creator
- Society of Composers and Lyricists, Member