Paul Welcome was born in Dayton, Ohio, and attended Bowling Green State University, where he received his undergraduate and graduate degrees. After completing his MBA, he entered the United States Air Force and was an aircraft commander.

He has worked in the valuation field since 1980. His first ten years were in the Abilene and Austin, Texas, areas. In December 1991, Welcome was appointed the Johnson County Appraiser.

Since Welcome's arrival in Johnson County, the department has received national recognition from the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), the National Association of Counties (NACO) and the City, County, Communication and Marketing Association (3CMA).

The State of Kansas performs an annual Statistical and Procedural Compliance Review and Johnson County has been found to be in compliance each year since 1992. Johnson County plays an important role in the State of Kansas valuation process, representing 30 percent of the state's total appraised property value for 2002. In addition, Johnson County represented 35 percent of the state's residential valuation in 2002, 50 percent of the residential growth due to new construction, 37 percent of the state's commercial real estate valuations, and 37 percent of the state's commercial growth due to new construction.

In addition to his appraisal duties, Welcome is also active in the community. He is past president of the Leawood South Homes Association and an active member in the Overland Park South Rotary Club. He is also a member of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.

Speaking Engagement Opportunity

If you would like to invite Welcome to be guest speaker you may do so by contacting his Executive Assistant, Ruth Hobbs, at 913.715.0138 or by email at Ruth.Hobbs@jocogov.org

Professional Designation: 

• Serves as County Appraiser for Johnson County, Kansas 

• Holds professional designation of Certified Assessment Evaluator (CAE) from the International Association of Assessing Officers. 

• Holds a Certified General Appraiser's license from the Kansas Real Estate Appraisal Board

• Holds Registered Mass Appraiser (RMA) from the Dept. of Revenue, Kansas

• Holds an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) with the American Society of Appraisers

• Held Registered Professional Appraiser (RPA) with the Texas Board of Tax Professionals and was a licensed Texas broker

Appraisal Experience:

• Employed by Johnson County, Kansas as County Appraiser since December 1991

• Experience includes valuation and consulting assignments concerning vacant and improved residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and special purpose properties. 

• Previous positions include: 
  Deputy Chief Appraiser with Travis Appraisal District, supervising 80 people; February 1988 to December 1991. 
  Fee appraiser with American Realty Analysts and Suffield & Associates, Inc.; October 1985 to January 1988. 
  Associate Director; Valuations, State Property Tax Board; Austin, Texas; June 1984 to October 1985. 
  Administrator of Appraisal Services; Taylor County Appraisal District; Abilene, Texas; September 1980 to May 1984. 
  Aircraft Commander, USAF; August 1974 to September 1980. 

Education:

• Bowling Green State University; Bowling Green, Ohio; Master of Business Administration, 1974

• Bowling Green State University; Bowling Green, Ohio; Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1972. 

Management Courses: 

• University of Virginia Management Excellence Program; January 1994

• State of Texas Management Training, Governor's Management Conference; November 1991. 

Publications:

• The Value of Capitalization Rate Study by an Outside Consultant, IAAO Assessment Journal; July/August 1994

• Licensing Practices: A Survey, IAAO Opportunities; December 1998

• Case Study: Snakes and More Snakes; September/October 2001

• Reap the Awards from Sale Price Disclosure, IAAO Assessment Journal; Summer 2003 

Professional Memberships:

• IAAO; President 2002-2003

• IAAO; President Elect 2001-2002

• IAAO; Vice President 2000-2001; Executive Board Member, 1997-1999; Ad Hoc Committee of Relocation, 1998-2000; and Research Subcommittee, 1995-1997

• Kansas City Chapter IAAO: Board Member, 1993-1995

• North Central Regional Association of Assessing Officers: Board Member, 1993; Legislative Committee Member, 1996 and 1998-2000; Executive Board Member, 1996-1998; and Professional Development Chair, 1999-2000

• Kansas City Appraiser's Association: Executive Board Member, 1993; Legislative Committee Member, 1996 and 1998-2000; Executive Board Member, 1996-1998; and Professional Development Chair, 1999-2000

Awards:

• IAAO Certificate of Excellence in Assessment Administration award, 2005

• IAAO Distinguished Assessment Jurisdiction; 2000, 1994

• IAAO Public Information Award; 1999, 1998, 1993, 1991

• National Association of Counties Achievement Awards; 1999, 1995, 1994

• National Association of Counties Information Officers Achievement Award; 1999

• City, County Communications Marketing Association (3CMA), Best Marketing Campaigns, Tools; 1999 
  Kansas County Appraiser's Association, "Outstanding Member" award; November 1999