Our Team of Experts
Four of the Aegis Group's five consultants hold the prestigious MAI designation. The firm’s professionals possess over 130 years of combined experience in the valuation of commercial real estate in the Central Texas region.
Eldon Y. Rude, MAI
President
Eldon Rude's 35-plus years of advising investor, developer, bank, homebuilder, and governmental clients on the Central Texas real estate economy brings a unique depth of knowledge to his appraisal practice. His market research experience along with leadership roles in various industry organizations has afforded him longstanding relationships with many of Austin’s key commercial real estate professionals.
In 1986 Eldon began his career in appraisal and earned his MAI designation in 1990 while working at The Aegis Group. His extensive experience in the valuation of commercial property includes office, industrial, retail, multi-family, mixed-use, and residential subdivisions. Eldon has also performed numerous appraisals for eminent domain proceedings and testified as an expert witness in County Commissioner’s Court.
In addition to his commercial appraisal experience, Eldon spent 17 years as Regional Director of MetroStudy, a national real estate market research firm. In 2013 he founded his own research consulting firm, 360° Real Estate Analytics, of which he remains principal. In this role, he provides ongoing advisory services and conducts quarterly executive briefings giving his outlook on the real estate economy to a roster of retainer clients including banks, developers, builders, and title companies.
A frequent media resource and highly regarded keynote speaker, Eldon is often called upon to share his observations and analysis at real estate industry events.
A few of the organizations Eldon has addressed include:
Home Builders Association of Greater Austin Annual Housing Forecast - moderator and keynote speaker since 2004
Urban Land Institute, Austin
Real Estate Council of Austin
Austin Board of Realtors
Texas Association of Builders
Appraisal Institute, Austin
Austin Mortgage Bankers Association
Risk Management Association of Austin
Commercial Real Estate Women of Austin
Austin Commercial Real Estate Society
International Right of Way Association
I-35 Corridor Growth Summit
Leadership Austin
Education & Specialty Courses
The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Business Administration in FinanceAppraisal Institute
Advanced Valuation of Conservation Easements
Professional Designations & Licenses
Appraisal Institute Member – MAI Certificate No. 8479
Texas Certified General Real Estate Appraiser – Certificate No. TX 1320841G
Professional Organizations
Austin Chapter of the Appraisal Institute – Member
International Right of Way Association – Member
The Real Estate Council of Austin, Inc. – Member
Urban Land Institute Austin – Member; currently serving on Advisory Board; previous Chair, Membership Committee; previous Chair, Programs Committee
Home Builders Association of Greater Austin – Member; currently serving on Finance Committee; recipient, HBA Member of the Year, 2013
Robert S. Radebaugh, MAI, AI-GRS
President Emeritus & Senior Advisor
Bob Radebaugh has been in the commercial real estate profession since 1983, earning a reputation among peers and clients alike for his keen analytical skills and integrity. In 1987 he founded The Aegis Group, Inc. with John Coleman. Bob acquired his MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute in 1989 and the General Review Specialist Designation in 2018. He has extensive experience consulting on most all commercial property types.
Bob regularly testifies as an expert witness in multiple jurisdictions including County Commissioners' Court, State District Court, Federal Bankruptcy Court, and Appraisal Review Board hearings.
He is also qualified to serve as a third-party neutral mediator in arbitration and mediation proceedings having completed mediation training in accordance with the Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution Act and the Arbitration Certificate Skills Course.
In addition, Bob is a licensed broker and has been involved with numerous real estate investment and development projects throughout the course of his nearly 40-year career.
Education & Specialty Courses
The University of Texas at Arlington
Master of Business Administration in Real Estate and FinanceThe University of Wisconsin - Madison
Bachelor of Business Administration in Banking, Corporate Finance & SecuritiesAppraisal Institute
Advanced Valuation of Conservation EasementsCenter for Public Policy Dispute Resolution at The University of Texas School of Law
Basic Mediation Training
Professional Designations & Licenses
Appraisal Institute Member – MAI Certificate No. 8067
Appraisal Institute – General Review Specialist (AI-GRS)
Texas Certified General Real Estate Appraiser – Certificate No. TX-1320501G
Licensed Texas Real Estate Broker – License No. 329713-25
Professional Organizations
Austin Chapter of the Appraisal Institute – Member
International Right of Way Association – Member
The Real Estate Council of Austin – Member
Austin Board of Realtors – Member
Chad Goddard, MAI
Senior Associate
Chad Goddard has worked in commercial real estate appraisal in both Austin and San Antonio since 1985. He joined The Aegis Group in 1995 and received his MAI designation in 2001.
He has performed appraisals for all types of commercial property including condominiums, apartments, retail, industrial, office, special purpose properties, and vacant land.
Chad is the firm's specialist in the valuation of properties in Austin's urban core where he has performed numerous appraisals of multi-tenant office buildings as well as mixed-use developments.
Education & Specialty Courses
The University of Texas at San Antonio Bachelor of Arts in Economics
Appraisal Institute Separating Real and Personal Property Intangible Business Assets
Professional Designations & Licenses
Appraisal Institute Member – MAI Certificate No. 11771
Texas Certified General Real Estate Appraiser – Certificate No. TX-1320546-G
Licensed Texas Real Estate Broker – License No. 0373990
Christie H. Nelson, MAI
Senior Associate
Christie Nelson has been actively involved in the real estate profession since 1982. She has been associated with The Aegis Group since 1987 and received her MAI designation in 1994.
In addition to her experience in the appraisal of most all commercial property types, Christie regularly prepares valuations for specialized purposes including conservation easements, condemnation, public improvement districts, and municipal utility districts.
Her prior experience includes planned community and hotel development, commercial landscape architecture, and mortgage loan origination.
Education & Specialty Courses
The University of Texas at Austin – Master of Business Administration in Real Estate and Finance
The University of Virginia – Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture
Appraisal Institute – Advanced Valuation of Conservation Easements
Professional Designations & Licenses
Appraisal Institute Member – MAI Certificate No. 10456
Texas Certified General Real Estate Appraiser – Certificate No. TX-1323506-G
James Umbarger
Associate
James Umbarger is a Practicing Affiliate of the Appraisal Institute and joined The Aegis Group in 2017.
Since joining the firm, Jim has appraised most all commercial property types including office, industrial, multi-family, retail, and vacant land. Jim has also performed appraisals for governmental clients including right-of-way acquisitions, parkland proposals, school sites, and more.
Education & Specialty Courses
Dickinson College – Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts in English
Professional Designations & Licenses
Texas Certified General Real Estate Appraiser – Certificate No. TX-1381031E
Appraisal Institute Practicing Affiliate