Jon A DiPietra is a New York–based real estate valuation executive with more than 25 years of experience across nearly every major property type in the country. He currently serves as Executive Vice President and cofounder of HT Appraisal, the valuation arm of Horvath & Tremblay.
Born in New York City in 1975, Jon spent his early years in suburban New Jersey before moving to upstate New York. He later attended the University of Phoenix, earning a degree in finance. In his early twenties, he pursued music while studying accounting and finance, an experience that shaped his creative and analytical thinking.
Jon began his career as an equity trader in New York City in 1999. In 2001, he transitioned into real estate appraisal, starting in residential valuation. By 2004, he moved into commercial appraisal and steadily took on more complex assets, including retail, industrial, office, and special-use properties.
He joined a major New York firm in 2007 and later earned the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute. In 2018, he led a 40-person team producing over $22 million in annual revenue and more than 5,000 reports per year.
In 2024, after being fired from his leadership role, Jon cofounded HT Appraisal. Today, he is focused on building a national valuation practice with disciplined growth and strong fundamentals. His career reflects resilience, technical expertise, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Q&A With Jon A DiPietra on Success
What does success mean to you at this stage of your life?
Success used to mean hitting production numbers and closing big assignments. When I was managing 40 professionals and producing over $22 million a year in revenue, I measured success by output. Reports delivered. Revenue earned. Clients retained.
Now, success feels more layered. It is about building something sustainable. It is about steady month-over-month growth at HT Appraisal. It is also about being present with my family and staying grounded in my faith.
I have learned that personal stability supports professional performance. When my home life is strong, my business decisions are clearer.
You started as an equity trader. What did that teach you about winning?
Trading taught me speed and consequence. In 1999, the market moved fast. You made decisions in seconds. There was no time for overthinking.
That environment trained me to stay calm under pressure. It also taught me how fragile momentum can be. One bad decision could wipe out weeks of gains.
When I moved into appraisal in 2001, the pace slowed. But the discipline carried over. I learned to make decisions based on data, not emotion. In valuation, that mindset is critical. The market can be loud. Your job is to stay analytical.
What was the biggest turning point in your career?
Being fired in 2024 was the biggest inflection point of my career.
Up until that moment, I had been steadily climbing. I led a major New York office. We appraised some of the most recognizable buildings in the country. I was responsible for thousands of reports each year.
When that ended abruptly, it forced me to reassess everything. My identity had been tied to a title. Losing that title stripped things down.
Instead of retreating, I cofounded HT Appraisal. That decision was not emotional. It was strategic. I knew I had relationships, technical skills, and leadership experience. I just needed a new platform.
Sometimes success is not about avoiding failure. It is about responding correctly when it happens.
How did you scale a team to 5,000 reports a year?
Scaling requires systems. You cannot personally touch every file at that volume.
When I managed 40 professionals, I focused on process. Clear templates. Defined review standards. Consistent communication.
I also invested in training. Junior appraisers need repetition. Senior appraisers need autonomy. You have to know who needs structure and who needs space.
Most importantly, I never asked someone to do work I would not do myself. I had appraised everything from small mixed-use properties to major assets like 2, 4, and 7 World Trade Center. That credibility matters when you are leading.
What habits drive your performance?
I pray daily. My faith keeps me steady.
I also read constantly. Valuation changes with capital markets. Interest rates shift. Asset classes fall in and out of favor. If you stop learning, you fall behind.
Physically, I stay active. Skiing and riding enduro motorcycles clear my head. Fitness is not just about health. It sharpens focus.
I believe consistency beats intensity. Small daily disciplines compound over time.
What advice would you give someone chasing success in a technical field?
Master the fundamentals.
In appraisal, that means understanding income approaches, cost approaches, and comparable sales inside and out. Do not rely on shortcuts.
Second, build relationships with integrity. Your reputation is your currency. Lenders and attorneys come back when they trust your judgment.
Finally, separate your identity from your title. Titles can disappear. Skills remain.
Success is not a straight line. I have changed cities, careers, and firms. Each phase required humility. Each setback required resilience.
If you stay curious, work hard, and respond well to adversity, you give yourself room to win more than once.