MAA President's Message
January Message
Happy New Year MAA members! I am Paula Jastifer and I am honored to serve as your 2019 MAA President. I started working in this profession by taking a summer job during my college years with Reappraisal Services, Inc. I have since worked for Wayne County Assessment & Equalization, the City of Allen Park and currently I am the Deputy Assessor for the City of Grand Rapids. I have been so fortunate to have had many great mentors and teachers who have shared their time and wisdom: Kevin O’Toole, Ted Gruizenga, Gary Evanko, David Bone, Gordon Gillis, Kay Shafii, George McEachran, Timothy Schnelle, Joe Goluban, Tim O’Donnell, Tony Fuoco and Scott Engerson. I am only naming a few as there have been many great leaders along the way!
I also want to state my sincere gratitude to Past President Amy DeHaan. It will be tough to follow in her footsteps as I have witnessed her tireless work for this association and this profession. Thank you Amy for all your hard work, wisdom and guidance!
This Board has been working hard to improve education for our members and to adapt to the ever changing requirements of certification mandated by the State Tax Commission. Since I have been on this board, we have updated the association’s website to provide more online services, contracted for education services and made many changes and updates to help our members flourish in this profession. Education for 2019 will be held May 6-10 in Novi, July 29-August 2 in Grand Rapids and September 30- October 4 at Boyne Highlands Resort.
Please get involved with a committee. It is a great way to meet other professionals in this field throughout the state. Get to know them and learn from their experiences. It’s also fun and this work benefits the Association. This year we are celebrating 60 years of organization! This collaboration has made it possible for Assessors to learn from each other for many decades. Let’s keep this Association alive and well for the next 60 years! Your excellence in this profession reflects well on you and your community. Do not forget to renew your membership to MAA and to invite other Assessors, Appraisers, Treasurers and Attorneys to join our ranks. Together, we make this profession better and provide a valuable service to our communities.
Finally, please mark your calendar for August 11-14, 2019. These are the dates of the Annual Conference to be held at Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville, Michigan. The education, networking and great company at the Michigan Assessors Association Conference provides each and every one of us the opportunity for professional development.
Paula Jastifer, President