Through hiring a chief operating officer, the Austin Institute of Real Estate owners are positioned to initiate a consulting and training division.

        John W. Tomblin, a published author and statewide instructor, began his duties as chief operating officer for the institute Oct. I 1.

        “With this new position, I start creating more courses that people can take with them into the real world and make more money,” Tomblin said.

        He is developing several courses for the new division of the school. Among them is a Competitive Market Analysis class which will aid real estate listing agents in finding the most productive ways to market residential homes.

        “I feel that this position affords me the use of my abilities to expand my knowledge regarding all aspects of the business. And, it provides me the opportunity to expand my horizons and provide the best education I can offer. I love to teach; the students always come first.”

        Wayne and Lynn Morgan, business development specialists and co-owners of the real estate school, announced the appointment "In order to expand with this new division,” Wayne Morgan said, “we needed a solid, experienced person with diverse talents: ability to manage, organize activities, schedule, solve problems and have enough background to teach. John has all that and more.”

        Tomblin brings with him almost five years instructing experience at schools in Austin, San Antonio and Houston. He said the move from key instructor at the Austin Institute of Real Estate to chief operating officer was a “natural progression.”

        “I bring to the position 13 years of real estate experience both in commercial and residential brokerage, sales, appraisal practice and publications,” he said.

        His latest publication, Perceptions of Value, is a textbook detailing the theory and application of real estate appraisal. The book is being used in schools throughout the state.

        To concentrate on his new post, Tomblin has resigned his teaching positions with schools in San Antonio and Houston. However, he plans to continue his work with the Texas Association of Realtors. He is also working on a math textbook, which is geared toward helping Realtors pass the math portion of the state exam.

Tomblin is the former owner of Tomblin Appraisal Services and Marketpro of Austin.