 21st Century Appraisals, Inc. (a subsidiary of The Barco Group) is a closely-held Pennsylvania private corporation, incorporated under Pennsylvania law in 1976. The company was established by David S. Barr (CPE) as a result of demands made on his time to provide assessment and reassessment services to Pennsylvania counties. Prior to the company's incorporation, David Barr served as Chief Assessor in Centre County, Pennsylvania, where he re-organized the Assessment Office and performed an in-house reassessment. Mass appraisal methodologies developed by Mr. Barr, coupled with his technology foresight, established the foundation for 21st Century’s unprecedented success in developing quality assessments for ad valorem tax purposes.
In 1992, ownership of the company was
transferred to Dr. Robert S. Barr (CPE), its current President and Chief Executive Officer. Under Dr. Barr’s leadership, 21st Century obtained its first of seven Assessment Office management privatization contracts and 21st Century’s track record for achieving quality assessments for Pennsylvania counties continued. Additionally, cutting-edge Computer-Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) technology tools, comprehensive public relations and educational programs, enhanced client and technology support, and numerous project and business efficiencies were developed and incorporated that spurred growth and a more competitive edge. In 1994, 21st Century moved its corporate office to the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area, where it is headquartered today.
21st Century has concentrated its services within Pennsylvania. Our in-depth knowledge of Pennsylvania assessment law and Pennsylvania assessment-related court decisions ensures clients that both quality assessments and assessment operations will be achieved in compliance with state assessment law. We have also associated ourselves with numerous professionals within the appraisal, assessment, and legal fields.
In the three decades following its inception, the company has grown to include other leadership professionals; namely, Eugene E. Porterfield (GA, CPE), Chief Operations Officer, and Timothy R. Barr, Chief Technology Officer. 21st Century currently provides assessment and assessment-related technology services to nearly half of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties and employs nearly 75 professional and support staff. Its senior appraisers and assessment managers represent more than 180 years of combined appraisal experience.
As a company, we are active members of the Assessors’ Association of Pennsylvania (AAP), the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), and the County Commissioners’ Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP). We have also sponsored and conducted numerous activities and seminars for the AAP and the CCAP. |