The Swartz Report: My Team is Awesome

Don_Swartz 2

Don Swartz

Post written by Donald Swartz, President and Principal at Swartz + Associates, Inc. | Lover of Chiefs, Royals and golf | Avid “Cruiser” | Poker Enthusiast

As we enter our 5th year of Swartz + Associates, Inc. it’s sometimes easy to overlook the people who have helped make the company successful.

While I try to recognize the efforts of my team internally, it’s not often that I let others know of the work they do for our clients and the success they wield.

The look and feel of the company has changed over the past two years and I’m excited about the possibilities and opportunities as we move forward.

Currently, there are five employees (excluding me) in the Kansas City office. All of them are working to make our company stronger in the review and analysis of property tax valuations. In addition, they’re assisting in machinery and equipment valuations for banks, other appraisers, CPAs and equity groups.

So please indulge me as I take a few minutes to recognize each team member for the efforts:

Charles Young

Charles Young

Charles Young

Charles Young has been working with me for almost 20 years. During that time he’s been involved in hundreds, if not thousands, of reviews and appeals of commercial and industrial real estate values.

Charles strength lies in his abilities to communicate effectively with county representatives and turning potentially complex properties into “easy to understand” scenarios where the county officials and taxpayers can come together to determine the best way to value a property.

This is particularly true when looking at owner-occupied manufacturing facilities, regardless of location.  The ability to separate “value in use” vs “value in exchange” can be very tricky and Charles’ experience affords him the ability to discuss these differences in a manner that’ss effective and not controversial.

Gary Stone

Gary Stone

Gary Stone

Gary Stone has worked with me since 2004. He has worked hard to achieve his ASA designation as an accredited senior appraiser in the area of machinery and technical specialties.

This designation is difficult to achieve and Gary is one a handful to earn this distinction in the greater Kansas City area. As a result, Gary has built a great relationship with bankers, CPAs and others who need assistance in the valuation of equipment.

Whether the purpose is for collateral purposes, part of a merger/acquisition or for financial reporting, Gary has become one of the few experts in the area.

Additionally, Gary oversees our business personal property area, assisting taxpayers in the review and analysis of the tangible personal property filings and valuation.

Whether it’s consulting on valuation or compliance filings through the use of PTMS software, Gary has effectively handled the business personal property needs of our clients.

Katy True

Katy True

Katy True

Katy True joined the Swartz + Associates team almost three years ago, bringing processes and an operations overview to the company. Coming from a large corporate environment, Katy has the experience to know what components are necessary to effectively keep an organization running smoothly.

Additionally, Katy has been instrumental in the creation of a new database as well as being involved in our IT updates and conversions. While always looking at the big picture needs, Katy also loves the details and plays the important role of making sure our day-to-day needs are being attended to.

Filing deadlines, hearing dates, valuation and tax bill verifications – you name it – Katy is involved!

David Sukenik

David_Sukenik

David Sukenik

David Sukenik will be celebrating his 2nd anniversary next month with the company. David is the first hire I’ve made coming directly out of college with no previous experience in the industry.

Since his hiring, David has developed a keen understanding of the property tax world and has immersed himself in the research of valuations, classwork in the techniques in the valuation of real estate and business personal property, and developing relationships with existing clients.

Lately, David has been involved in the valuation, review and appeals of several complex real estate properties, developing his expertise in C-Store operations. I’m confident David will continue his educational needs to further his abilities to value all types of properties.

David’s skill set also allows him to easily navigate the online world, quickly researching and organizing valuations and information on properties anywhere in the country.

Eric Owens

Eric Owens

Eric Owens

Eric Owens is coming up on his one year anniversary this fall. A Kansas certified general appraiser, Eric has significant experience in the valuation of commercial and industrial properties.

His prior experience working as a fee appraiser has allowed him to step into the role of consultant with ease. Eric has familiarity with all types of real estate and has been involved in the valuation of hundreds of real estate parcels over the years.

With the retirement of other employees in the company the past two years, Eric has been able to step in and fill the void seamlessly.

He’s very comfortable talking with clients about their properties, working with county officials in the valuation of properties, and looking for new opportunities.

I’m very pleased with the team we’ve assembled and I know our clients would agree with this assessment. We’re only going to get stronger and better as we move forward. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

As always, if you have questions about property tax valuations or assessments, please contact me at (913) 766-8761 or . We’re here to help!

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