22 Apr More Than a Career
Four Decades in the Assessment Community | by Jay Taranto
For the past forty years, my professional life has been centered in local and state government, working closely with public sector officials and their teams. During that time, I have had the privilege of providing software and services that support their essential work for taxpayers and their communities.
If asked what truly defines this industry, my answer would not be technology, regulations, or even the complexity of property valuation and taxation.
This industry is defined by its people.
Deeper Relationships
When I first began working in this field, I expected to build professional relationships. What I did not anticipate was how deep and meaningful many of those relationships would become.
Working with public officials and their teams means engaging with people who are deeply committed to serving their communities. Their work is essential to the functioning of local government, and the dedication they bring creates a strong bond among those who share that mission.
Over time, conversations that begin at conferences, in training sessions, and meetings evolve into something far more meaningful. You begin to see the same people year after year, and gradually, familiar faces become part of your life’s story.
The greetings change as well, no longer simple handshakes or quick hellos, but warm hugs from people you have not seen in some time.
In those moments, you catch up on work. You talk about challenges, new ideas, and lessons learned – but the conversations rarely stop there. You talk about family, share life milestones, and reflect on everything that has happened since your paths last crossed.
And somewhere along the way, you realize something special has happened: these relationships have grown into genuine friendships that extend far beyond the workplace.
There for Each Other
Of course, life is not only marked by celebrations. Our community has supported one another through illness, loss, and other challenges. It is in these moments that the strength of these relationships becomes especially clear.
People show up by offering encouragement, lending support, and taking the time to listen. The care within this community extends far beyond professional obligations.
I remember attending the first in-person IAAO Conference in Chicago after COVID. Walking into the hotel lobby and conference center felt different from any conference I had experienced before.
As people began to arrive, you could see it unfolding all around the room. Someone would lock eyes with a colleague they had not seen in over two years, and in that instant, the time apart seemed to disappear.
Smiles spread quickly as people crossed the room without hesitation. Handshakes turned into long hugs, and brief greetings became heartfelt conversations. It did not feel like a typical professional conference. It felt more like a family reunion.
Witnessing those reunions throughout that week made it clear how special this community truly is. The relationships in this profession extend far beyond the work itself. They are built on years of shared experiences, mutual respect, and genuine care for one another.
That depth of connection is rare and speaks to the quality of people in this line of work.
Growing Together
It has been incredibly meaningful to witness the lives of those in this industry unfold alongside my own.
I have watched the children of colleagues grow up, progressing through school, graduating, starting careers, and even beginning families of their own.
Over time, many professional connections have grown into lasting friendships, extending beyond organizational boundaries. Lifelong relationships have been built not only with customers, but also with peers and industry partners. Even as we represent different roles and organizations, we share a common goal: supporting the work of public officials and their offices. That shared mission fosters an environment that feels more collaborative than competitive.
It has also been deeply rewarding to watch others grow within the industry, taking on greater responsibilities, earning promotions, and emerging as respected leaders. Seeing that progression, watching confidence, expertise, and influence develop, has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.
As the years pass, those connections only deepen. There are people I first met decades ago who remain part of my life today. Some have retired, some have moved into new roles, and others continue to serve the industry and their communities, but the relationships endure.
It reinforces the sense that we are part of something larger, growing together not only as professionals, but as a community experiencing life’s stages side by side. Those shared moments create a level of trust and familiarity that is difficult to replicate in many other industries.
Career of Connection
As I reflect on my career, I feel a deep sense of gratitude, not only for the opportunity to contribute to an industry that plays such a vital role in local government, but for the remarkable community that surrounds it.
Working with public officials and their teams, fellow employees, and the professionals who support them has been far beyond a job. It has been a journey filled with friendships, shared experiences, and a network of people who genuinely care about one another.
In an industry that spans cities, counties, states, and even countries, there is a unique sense of connection that ties us together. The relationships formed in this profession are not bound by geography; they extend across the entire assessment community. Whether in a small rural municipality or a large metropolitan jurisdiction, there is a shared understanding and mutual respect that unites us. At its core, this community is built on trust, respect, and genuine care for one another.
This profession has shown me that work can be about far more than business. It is about the relationships we build along the way and the trust that grows from years of working together.
And if you are fortunate, as many of us are, it becomes something even more meaningful. It begins to feel like family.
That, more than anything else, is the true gift of this industry.