TAKE 5 WITH THE IMA

Pierre-Luc Pelletier, A.I.M.A.

Where do you work and what is your current role?

I am a residential assessor (Residential Assessor II) for Property Assessment Services at Service New Brunswick (SNB). This role entails assessing properties at a “fair” market value using the direct comparison approach.

What prompted you to get involved with the IMA?

Prior to my tenure at SNB, the educational prerequisites for my role predominantly favoured obtaining an AACI designation. During our (my first)annual Assessor School conference, my esteemed colleague, Francois Gallant, introduced the IMA as a viable alternative—an educational trajectory specialized in assessment, distinct from the “typical” appraisal courses offered at UBC. Recognizing this program as a novel opportunity to refine my assessment skills and attain a professional designation without the prerequisite of a bachelor’s degree, I committed to the IMA coursework progressively. Subsequently, I successfully achieved my A.I.M.A. Designation and currently, I am pursuing my M.I.M.A. Accreditation. On a supplementary note, I have recently become a member of the IMA Membership Committee, aiming to enhance the visibility of IMA within New Brunswick and advocate for the IMA as a compelling educational avenue for all new assessors New Brunswick.

How has being a member positively impacted your career?

The specialized education and accreditation offered by the IMA have refined my assessment skills, positioning me as a more adept professional. Engaging with the IMA community has broadened my network and offered insights into industry best practices. This combined skill enhancement and expanded network have played a pivotal role in my career development, empowering me to navigate professional challenges with increased confidence and expertise.

What would you tell your younger self just starting in the industry?

I would advise my younger self to recognize and assert my value in the industry. Despite lacking a bachelor’s degree, my background in building sciences provides a solid foundation for a career in assessment, and the IMA provides the support I need to fulfill my career needs.

What are your goals for the future?

My aspirations are rooted in my educational background (construction management engineering technology). I aim to eventually attain a managerial position in Property Assessment Services, and I am confident that with the right training and dedication, I can achieve this goal. To get there, my initial steps will involve acquiring an M.I.M.A. Accreditation and potentially gaining practical experience in non-residential assessment.

Scott Powell, AMAA, M.I.M.A.

Where do you work and what is your current role?

I work at Ryan ULC in Calgary, Alberta. My current position is the Director, Team Lead for Property Tax.

What prompted you to get involved with the IMA?

As the two biggest Canadian Associations for assessment professionals, the Alberta Assessors’ Association (AAA) and the Institue of Municipal Assessors (IMA), had begun collaborating on a number of initiatives back in 2018/2019. I was a member on the joint committee tasked with addressing labour mobility and got to meet a number of the IMA executive team members.

Also, in 2019 I started a new job with a property tax consulting firm out of Ontario. Having both exposure to the strong presence of the IMA in Ontario, and to the assessment/ property tax industry in Ontario, made it a perfect time for me to get more involved with the IMA directly.

How has being a member positively impacted your career?

I think that professional associations like the IMA offer many benefits to their members, but there are three that stand out from my perspective. The first is education – the quality and quantity of the offerings provided by the IMA not only ensures my expertise as an assessment practitioner, but it validates our profession by ensuring that we have the tools to be experts in our field. The second is networking – it is so easy to be stuck in our jobs talking to the same people every day. Having opportunities to interact with others, to witness the true scope of our industry, and the diversity of our membership, has been so valuable in broadening my horizons. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is the recognition of the IMA as a reputable association. Having my M.I.M.A. Accreditation, having a code of ethics and standards of practice to which I adhere, it has brought legitimacy and confidence to the work I do.

What would you tell your younger self just starting in the industry?

Never say never. Be open to new ideas and to new opportunities, take risks, and embrace change. Rarely do we regret the things in life that we do, rather we regret the things we don’t do.

What are your goals for the future?

For 2024 and beyond I have two key goals. The first is to support the development of the next leaders and inspire the next volunteers who will guide our profession. Both in the workforce, and in volunteer opportunities (like the IMA), we need to think about succession planning. There is a lot of labour turnover coming to the assessment and property tax industry in the next decade and I want to help prepare those who want to lead in the future. The second is advocacy. I feel that I’ve reached a point in my career where I am both capable and motivated to advocate for improvements to the fundamentals of our profession. Whether it is through legislative change, tax reform, professional education, I feel inspired to improve things for future professionals.