Summer 2021 Newsletter

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: DENISE SCHMIDT

Name: Denise Schmidt, RES, CFE County: Pinellas County Property Appraiser

What do you do for the PA? I am one of the Directors of Resi- dential Appraisal for Pinellas County

How long have you been employed by the PA? I will retire this December after 25 years of being with this office.

Why did you decide to enter the field ? I started in real estate as a salesperson in Destin, Florida when it was just a quaint little fish- ing village. My husband at the time was an appraiser and I assisted him with typing and pasting photographs to the appraisal reports. I respected the valuation process but found fee appraisers had a “feast or famine” pay scale. I wanted consistency and benefits for my family and began my journey into the appraisal profession. Moving to the

Denise Schmidt, RES, CFE

Tampa Bay area in 1990, I obtained my State Certification soon after and worked for several ap- praisal firms. I learned a lot from these firms and became more familiar with verifying infor- mation through public records and calling the jurisdictions’ building departments and County Ap- praiser’s office. Once I heard there was an opening with Pinellas County, I was persistent with ap- plying for the Appraiser 1 position. My soon to be best friends applied with me on the same day of testing and we were fortunate to be hired and have worked together ever since. What do you like most about your job? The people. Everyday there is something new to learn about someone or an aspect about the assessment process. There is always a different per- spective, a different viewpoint of how our system works. Even before COVID, when people came into our office, there was an uneasy feeling of what government employees were like, of what their roles were, and how values were derived each year. Whether the appraisers met with them in the office, field, or communicated with them electronically, I wanted to make sure our branch ap- praisers really listened to them, heard what their issues were and then communicated to them an answer they could relate to. Even if they didn’t like the answers, I feel they left with a better un- derstanding of our system and their assessments.

“Tax people” or Property appraisers should not be construed as intimidating individuals.

Within my tenure, I have had multiple opportunities to expand my education and creditability, one of which was obtaining my RES designation. I credit my supervisors and appraisal team for their guidance and support during the process. I take great pride in having it and feel it was one of my most important successes. Where was your best vacation ever? Coming from a military family, we moved around a lot before my dad re- tired from the Marine Corps. I saw a lot of the United States. However, my best vacation ever has been living here in Florida. We have the prettiest beaches with beauti- ful sunrises and sunsets.

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Summer 2021 Newsletter of the FCIAAO