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The Team
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Curtis Belcher
Team Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Curtis Belcher has been directly involved in property tax for 29 years. He filed his first appeal as a
7th grader to correct the appraisal and tax on his family’s residence. A passion for accurate assessments
was born from that personal experience, that passion is alive and well today.
Curtis served as Assessor in Mesa County, Western Colorado’s largest county, for eight years. 65,000 real
estate parcels and 3,000 personal property schedules were successfully valued and audited through four
reappraisal cycles. Curtis administered an office of 29 employees in three departments, Appraisal,
Administration and Mapping. He served in the Colorado Assessor’s Association on Legislative,
Oil & Gas, Ski & Recreation and GIS Committees. He also served as District 5 Chairman which represents western Colorado.
Curtis owned Belcher Consulting Property Tax Specialists from 1987 to 1999. He designed, constructed,
and analyzed CAMA and Administrative databases for 16 Colorado counties with clients in New Mexico and
North Carolina. Government and corporate clients benefited from the services of Belcher Consulting.
From 1978 to 1987 Curtis was employed as appraiser in Montezuma and Garfield Counties
in Colorado. He has valued all classes of property from sheds to large industrial
facilities. As Chief Appraiser in Garfield County, Curtis valued oil shale operations
owned by Exxon, Union Oil, Oxy, and Shell Oil.
Business Experience:
- Mesa County Assessor (1999-2007)
- Belcher Consulting Property Tax Specialists (1987-1999)
- Chief Appraiser, Garfield County (1983-1987)
- Appraiser, Montezuma County (1978-1983)
Education:
- 1970 Montezuma Cortez High School
- 1975 Fort Lewis College B.A. Political Science
- Colorado Certified General Appraiser License
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Michael Bobelian
Team Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
An attorney of broad business experience, Michael Bobelian brings knowledge of financing,
restructuring, acquisitions, mediation and litigation to Cost Containment Advisors. In his work
at Hughes Hubbard & Reed, one of the largest law firms on Wall Street, he represented clients in
all these various commercial settings. He is an expert on resolving disputes with regulators, and
in dealing with compliance requirements. Additionally, Michael advises on litigation matters and
is experienced in appearing before state and federal courts and arbitral bodies.
Michael is adept in examining complicated, overlapping state and municipal tax systems and in
convincingly communicating with government officials.
Business Experience:
- Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP (1998 - 2002) Experience included regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, debtor-in-possession financing, securities law, accounting liability, joint-ventures, and commercial litigation and arbitration. Clients included Viacom, Merck, Continental Airlines, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Christie's, Daewoo, and Honeywell.
- United States Department of Labor (1996) Assisted in investigations of fraudulent ERISA plans.
- United States Department of Commerce (1993) Helped American businesses find markets overseas, advised businesses with import and export laws.
Education:
- University of Michigan Law School (1995 - 1998) J.D.; Associate and Contributing Editor, Michigan Journal of Law Reform
- University of Michigan Business School (1991 - 1995) B.B.A. With High Distinction; Class Honors all semesters
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Kevin Gold
Team Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Kevin worked at Cadence Network a utility cost containment service used by large corporations.
In this position, he led Cadence's team to assist the aggregation of utility expenses to enable
their better management and cost reduction.
Currently, Kevin is a partner with an online business advisory firm, Enhanced Concepts, Inc.
He works with large and small companies and successful entrepreneurs both nationally and internationally
to develop economically beneficial online business models and strategies.
Kevin's utility market awareness, strategic mindset and Internet expertise is, therefore,
a tremendous resource for effective analytical review of cost containment initiatives, client-focused
deliverables and the assessment of Internet-based cost control solutions.
Business Experience:
- Improved Results, LLC. (2003 - Present), Partner, Online Business Advisory firm specializing in niche market development, online business strategy, profitability analysis and e-commerce consultation with large to small corporations internationally.
- Cadence Network, Inc., (2001 - 2003), Market Strategy and Business Development, a Utility Technology company focused on delivering cost containment services and products to Fortune 1000 companies.
- Fifth Third Bancorp (1995 - 2000), Officer; Systems Consultant and Global Client Manager
Education:
- Xavier University Graduate School of Business, (2000 - 2001) M.B.A., Concentration in Marketing
- Thomas More College, (1991 - 1995) Summa Cum Laude, Honors Scholar, B.A., Major: Business Administration with focus in Marketing.
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Stan Graiewski
Team Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Stan Graiewski joins Cost Containment Advisors as a detailed property tax consultant with expertise in
Wisconsin’s general property tax system. With 40 years experience, concerns for customer satisfaction
and preventative problem solving, Stan will be a welcome addition to consulting services Cost Containment
Advisors offers their clients.
Stan is currently the personal property appraiser for the City of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Assessor’s Office. Stan assisted the newly appointed city assessor achieve professionalism and respect for the office. Stan’s efforts establishing correct data for almost 1,200 accounts resulted in more accurate assessments and fewer returned mailings, tax adjustments, tax rescinds, Open Book and Board of Review appearances. Stan also created and implemented a sign inventory program to encourage proper reporting on annual Statements of Personal Property.
Stan was a residential appraiser (1979-1989) and personal property appraiser (1989-2003) for the City of Madison, Wisconsin Assessor’s Office. He was directly responsible for 6,500 personal property and 700 mobile/manufactured home valuations. He provided sworn oral testimony at quasi-judicial and judicial hearings. His research and recommendations formed a solid basis for casework. He also served on the Board of Assessors.
Additional related appraisal and administrative experience (1968-1979) involved Equalization, Assessment Standards and Manufacturing with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, a municipal assessor position and three private firms specializing in revaluations and reassessments.
Education:
- Public Administration Master’s Degree coursework University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
- Bachelor of Arts St Mary’s College Winona, Minnesota
Professional Training:
University of Wisconsin, Technical Colleges, Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Appraisal Education Academy, Assessment Technologies of Wisconsin, Toastmasters, appraiser and assessor organizations.
Professional Affiliations:
- Certified Wisconsin Assessor II
- Wisconsin Association of Assessing Officers Personal Property Committee
- Distinguished Toastmaster
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Mark Kline
Team Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Mark has over 20 years of property tax consulting and real estate appraisal experience.
He has superior management skills, is a good communicator and has sound real estate valuation skills.
Mark has extensive experience valuing and appealing property in numerous states.
He has assisted companies with a wide range of challenges from appealing single,
special use properties to outsourcing entire property tax functions with thousands of assets.
He is well versed in available property tax software applications as well as developing custom
technology to more efficiently manage a client's property tax liability.
Mark has worked on engagements with real estate including, but not limited to light industrial,
manufacturing, retail, office, corporate facilities, hospitality, and special use properties.
He has appeared at hearings before local tax assessors, appeal boards, and as an expert witness
in numerous state and federal courts in an effort to obtain fair and equitable property tax treatment
for client properties.
Business Experience:
Prior to joining Cost Containment Advisors, Mark worked for Deloitte & Touche as a
Director and East Region Manager of Deloitte's Property Services Group.
Mark worked on engagements involving: personal property tax consulting, real property analysis
and appeal, obsolescence studies, fixed assets review, and multiple large outsourcing engagements.
Prior to that, Mark was a regional manager for a national property tax consulting firm, Real Estate
Tax Services, Inc. At Real Estate Tax Services, Mark served numerous regional and national property
tax clients. He also spent over 10 years employed by two national real estate appraisal and consulting
firms. He appraised real estate throughout the United States during this employment.
Professional Affiliations:
- Member Appraisal Institute (MAI)
Education:
- B.A. Finance University of Texas, Austin, Texas
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Steve Levick
Team Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Steve Levick is a property tax professional since 1989. He is an expert in the field of personal property
taxation of machinery and equipment for industrial properties, specializing in several Midwestern states.
The clients that Steve has worked with include Fortune 500 firms, such as 3M, Pillsbury/General Mills,
Kawasaki Motors, DANA Corp., King Pharmaceuticals, among others. Steve has succeeded in producing substantial
personal property tax reductions for manufacturing clients whose assets range from low-tech facilities that bend
and fabricate metal to extremely high-tech, clean room locations that produce pharmaceuticals and electronic printed circuit boards.
Steve possesses superior analytical skills, and excellent communication and negotiation skills. He consistently
garners the respect of tax officials with his thorough research and documentation. As a result of his appearance
at numerous hearings with local property tax appeal boards, he has an outstanding track record of ensuring that
clients’ assessments and resulting property taxes are in line with proper assessment procedures.
Steve augments Cost Containment Advisors’ skills in the Midwestern states with his extensive
expertise in industrial property machinery and equipment taxation.
Business Experience:
- Property Tax Analysts, Inc., Co-founder and President, 1989 – Present
- Shearson Lehman American Express, 1984-1989, Wealth Advisor
- Merrill Lynch, 1975-1984, Senior Financial Consultant
Professional Affiliations:
- Holds CMI designation (Certified Member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation)
- Regular speaker at annual Missouri Tax Conference
Education:
- University of Missouri BS – Finance and Banking (1975)
- Advanced Personal Property Tax School, (2001), through IPT
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James Nelson
Team Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Jim is a seasoned facilities manager with over twenty-five years' experience.
He has managed facilities and provided outsourced facilities management solutions
nationally for premier organizations in the public, private, and governmental sectors.
His hallmark has been the delivery of increasing value with decreasing expense, while
maintaining a tight focus on the higher goals of the organizations served.
His continuous improvement mentality and process orientation help ensure that successes
are both measurable and repeatable. Jim has managed facilities that support many industries,
including pharmaceutical research, government, heavy industrial, educational, financial, corporate,
warehouse and distribution, as well as multi-tenant office buildings and retail in both branch and
campus settings.
Jim knows how diverse facilities management tools augment the vitality of clients.
Business Experience:
Prior to joining Cost Containment Advisors, Jim worked at United Rentals, Johnson Controls,
GE, and the US Coast Guard in a variety of facilities-related positions, providing services
to their clients. These clients have included Pfizer, IBM, Becton Dickinson, Hartford Public
Schools, Hoffman LaRoche, the National Security Agency, the Social Security Administration,
and Westinghouse, among others. Key results have included improvement of service level and
reduction in cost of all facilities related systems and services, including:
- Energy management, purchasing
- Outsourcing maintenance, operations, landscaping, cleaning, many other related services.
- Employee environment-air quality, lighting quality, remediation of mold, asbestos, etc.
- Organizational management to achieve optimum service levels to achieve business goals
Education:
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy, B.S. in Civil Engineering
- The Johns Hopkins University, Graduate Studies in Environmental Engineering
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John Ragan
Managing Director,
Cost Containment Advisors
John Ragan has over twenty years experience in the assessment field.
Most recently he was Assessor for the City and County of Denver, managing
a staff of 85, with responsibility for assessing 120,000 real property
and 30,000 personal property accounts, with a total assessed value of $9 billion.
John began his career with the City and County of Denver as Manager of Personal
Property Assessments, and remained directly involved with personal property
assessment procedures and practices during his entire tenure with Denver.
During this time he developed innovative methods for personal property filings and appeals.
John was a registered appraiser in Colorado until recently. He has been invited to
speak at various professional conferences on tax policy, assessments and government
procedures. In addition, John has authored several published articles on
property tax, including an article entitled “Tax Increment Financing, and Tax
Limitations.” In 2006 John was a finalist for IAAO’s Donehoo Essay Award.
Business Experience:
- City and County of Denver (1986-2006), Deputy Assessor and Assessor
- Federal Reserve Bank, Denver, CO (1982-86), Assistant Manager
- University of Denver (1977-82), Assistant Dean of Admissions
Education:
- University of Denver, (Present) Further graduate work in history
- Southern Illinois University, (1976) M.S.
- State University of New York at Brockport, (1974) B.S. Graduated Cum Laude
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Stephen Schaeffner, AAS
Team Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Stephen has been involved in the property tax profession for 27 years at both the local and state levels, as well as operating in the consulting and independent fee appraisal fields. The experience gained in working in four states over the years has given him a wide ranging perspective on property tax issues.
Stephen is the former Chief Appraiser of Glynn County, Georgia, where he implemented a modern assessment system in accordance with Georgia law and oversaw the migration to state-of-the-art CAMA software. Prior to that, Stephen was the Director of Valuation for Sarasota County, Florida, was a Senior Appraiser for the Florida Department of Revenue, Property Tax Division and was a Reappraisal Project Manager in both Kansas and Missouri.
Stephen is well versed in Georgia and Florida ad valorem tax laws, valuation requirements and appeal processes and has also served as an expert witness in property tax cases in local, state and federal courts.
Business Experience:
- Senior Consultant in property taxation and local government software implementation, (2007 – present).
- Chief Appraiser, Glynn County, GA, (2001 – 2007)
- Director of Valuation Services, Sarasota, FL, (2000 – 2001)
- Senior Appraiser, Florida Department of Revenue, (1991 – 2000)
- Director of Reappraisal, Lyon County, KS, (1986 – 1989)
- Director of Reappraisal, Lincoln County, Missouri, (1984 – 1985)
- Director of Reappraisal, Polk County, Missouri, (1982 – 1984)
Professional Affiliations:
- Assessment Administration Specialist (AAS) with the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO).
- Member of IAAO since 1992
- Member of the Florida Chapter of IAAO (FCIAAO)
- Member of the Georgia Association of Assessing Officials (GAAO)
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Thomas Schulz
Team Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Tom is an experienced facilities management advisor with over twenty years' experience.
He has developed facility management solutions nationally and internationally for the Fortune
1000, delivering the two primary goals of such initiatives: cost containment and enhanced services.
In addition, Tom has been responsible for the development and installation of large-scale energy
retrofit programs for commercial and governmental institutions.
Tom is known for his exceptional people skills, and has a record of good communication and successful
negotiations. He readily wins clients' confidence with his ability to analyze and assist clients to make
sound decisions. Tom is a personable self-confident advisor with an upbeat positive attitude.
Tom has worked on engagements in most industries including manufacturing, banking and insurance,
data processing, retail and automotive.
Business Experience:
Prior to joining Cost Containment Advisors, Tom worked for Johnson Controls as a lead executive
assisting both potential and existing clients in facilities management outsourcing solutions.
Tom has worked with regional, national and global clients in delivering:
- Guaranteed results in cost, savings and service levels
- Technology-driven solutions
- Business-to-business opportunities
- Strategic alliances for single-source delivery
Professional Affiliations:
Education:
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison
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Matthew Stellato
Team Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Matthew provides Cost Containment Advisors detailed research and analysis pertaining to personal property taxes that apply to current and potential CCA clients. His analyses provide a concise overview of a company's existing tax practices, and provide areas of savings that can be garnered efficiently. In addition, Matthew provides creative insight regarding official CCA documentation and publications.
Business Experience:
- Cost Containment Advisors, Greenwich, CT (May 2005 - Present)
Personal Property Tax Research Analyst and Official Layout Design and Publications
- Social Media Group, LLC. Superior CO, (January 2007 - April 2007)
Website Designer and Developer.
- RIT, Information Technology Services, Rochester, NY, (June 2006 - November 2006)
Cooperative Education Web Designer
Education:
- Rochester Institute of Technology (2002-2006) BS, New Media Publishing.
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Steven C. Tatro, ASA
Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA),
Cost Containment Advisors
Steve has provided services in the areas of eminent domain, Ad Valorem taxation, allocation of sale or purchase, bankruptcy, lease and finance, estate planning, insurance loss and liquidation. Steve has directly prepared and/or supervised these services relating to the analysis of plant machinery and equipment, construction, agriculture, printing, woodworking, material handling, textile, medical, furniture and fixtures, heavy equipment, rolling stock, inventory and technologies including computers, telecommunications and medical equipment.
During his appraisal career, Steve has been employed as an appraiser by Fleet National Bank and as Appraisal Manager of a Fortune 100 company. He is well versed in the appraisal disciplines of accounting, appraising, finance and leasing including residual calculations and consulting.
Professional Affiliations
- Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA), American Society of Appraisers, Machinery/Technical Specialties, Initial Certification (1997), Re-Certification (2007)
- Special Magistrate, Value Adjustment Board, several Florida counties, (2001-2007)
- District Director, Region 2, American Society of Appraisers
- Immediate Past Governor, Region 5, American Society of Appraisers
- Past President, Central Florida Chapter, American Society of Appraisers
- International Association of Assessing Officers
- Association of Eminent Domain Professionals
Education:
- BA, Business - Lyndon State College (1972)
- Principles of Valuation 201, 202, 203, 204 - American Society of Appraisers
- Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice - American Society of Appraisers
- Various Appraisal Theory Courses & Seminars - American Society of Appraisers
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Susan Tallchief
Team Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Susan Tallchief joins Cost Containment Advisors as a retired County Assessor with extensive knowledge of personal property tax law as it pertains to Oklahoma. With over 40 years experience and an excellent background in management, scheduling, and budgeting, Susan is a welcome addition to Cost Containment Advisors offers their clients.
As a Licensed Property Title Abstractor for the State of Oklahoma, Susan organized individual abstract account assignments, as well as compiled and interpreted all federal, state, and local recorded documents relevant to compilation of abstracts of title. She advised the initial planning of company automation of property and land records, including digitizing and indexing.
As President of the County Assessors and Deputies Association of Oklahoma, Susan served on the Oklahoma Ad Valorem Task Force, an ad hoc committee created by action of the Oklahoma Legislature.
Working in conjunction with the State Auditor and Inspector, the Ad Valorem Division of the Oklahoma Tax Commission and members of the Oklahoma legislature, the charge of the task force was to implement reform in the manner and method of conducting appraisals and establishing values on properties subject to personal property taxation.
During her tenure, Susan worked closely with the Center for Local Government Technology at Oklahoma State University and the Ad Valorem Division of the Oklahoma Tax Commission as well as the State Auditor and Inspector’s Office in the pilot stages of the course work in place today.
Business Experience:
- Oklahoma Licensed Property Title Abstractor (2000-2007) Creek County Abstract
- County Assessor (1975-1998) Creek County Oklahoma
- County Treasurer Clerk/Collector (1965-1975) Creek County Oklahoma
Education:
- Tulsa Junior College, Tulsa, OK
- International Association of Assessing Officers
- State of Oklahoma
- Oklahoma State University, Center for Local Government Technology
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Paul Tucker
Team Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Paul has been Property Tax Manager for American Tower Corporation and SBA Communications. American Tower, which is based in Boston, MA, is the leading independent owner and operator of broadcast and wireless communication sites in the United States and Mexico. At American Tower, Paul specialized in valuing real and personal property and identifying, pursuing, and managing assessment appeal opportunities nationwide. This required a working knowledge of property tax laws as well as understanding state and local assessment practices. At SBA Communications, the third largest tower aggregator located in Boca Raton, FL, Paul added compliance, audit, and landowner relations to his valuation and appeal responsibilities. Paul has appeared before numerous Boards of Tax Appeal, has co-authored papers on valuation issues, and presented at the Institute for Professionals in Taxation Symposium.
Paul is a former Assistant Assessor for the City of Boston, responsible for valuation, and handling associated appeals. He is a state licensed real estate broker and appraiser with 24 years experience performing fee appraisals for banks, mortgage companies, and government agencies.
Prior to his career in real estate, Paul worked for Bank of Boston in Information Systems as an auditor and programmer, and Deposit Operations as budget and systems analyst, and administrative assistant.
Professional Affiliations:
- Appraisal Institute
- International Association of Assessing Officers
- American Society of Appraisers
Professional Training:
- Boston College
- Bentley College
- Appraisal Institute
- Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Appraisers
- Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
Education:
- Boston College High School, 1971
- University of Massachusetts, BA (Magna Cum Laude), 1979
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State and Local Experts
Team Members,
Cost Containment Advisors
The laws and regulations of the multitude of jurisdictions that levy property taxes are complex and in flux constantly. Cost Containment Advisors has established relationships with preeminent local experts in virtually all significant tax districts, and accesses these resources rigorously.
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Analytical and Market Data Resources
Team Members,
Cost Containment Advisors
Cost Containment Advisors conducts extensive market data mining to discern the accurate value of clients' assessed property. In order to analyze such market data it accesses extensive high-level analytical resources that undertake wide-ranging iterations in order to support valuations.
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