Most 15-year-olds spend time counting down the days until their 16th birthday and the emancipation of a driver’s license.
While his peers dreamt about cars and the open road, Michael Lohmeier fell in love with appraisal.
At age fifteen, Lohmeier took appraisal classes, attended broker’s conferences and knew immediately what he wanted to do with his life.
That youthful passion and determination was recognized May 26 when Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Lohmeier to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The appointment should come as no surprise as the 15-year-old so dedicated to appraisal as a teen, is now the youngest member of the seven member tribunal.
According to Lohmeier, the Michigan Tax Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body which hears appeals on anything related to Michigan taxes, ranging from real estate to personal property.
‘It’s a great opportunity. I’m only 36, easily making me the youngest on the bench,? said Lohmeier.
Lohmeier attributes his early interest in appraisal to his mother Wanda, who worked with real estate in Clarkston for many years.
‘I grew up indirectly in Clarkston because my mother worked here. Even though I lived in Groveland, I spent much of my time hanging out at the Millpond and Rudy’s,? said Lohmeier.
After working at an appraisal office in Mill’s retail plaza for several years, Lohmeier moved to the Middle Lake subdivision because his mother, sister and brother all lived in Clarkston.
‘Clarkston is a family-oriented community. We spend time at Depot Park and ride bikes. It’s an atmosphere in which you want to talk to your neighbors. In Groveland, you were surrounded by farms and government land; you wouldn’t see a car even go down the road,? said Lohmeier. ‘Clarkston is centrally located near industry, but offers a reprieve from the chaos of cities.?
Along with early exposure to appraising, Lohmeier also developed another passion as a child. At the age of eight or nine, Michael enrolled in Eskrima, a form of Phillipino martial arts, which he continues to practice today.
‘Eskrima teaches you how to think, not what to think,? said Lohmeier.
The lessons learned from Eskrima added to both his professional and personal life.
‘Appraisal is about identifying problems correctly and looking at each problem uniquely with an open mind,? said Lohmeier. ‘Thinking, not assuming, is the only way of doing things. I never wanted to stop learning. Ongoing self learning and always thinking through problems are things I’ve learned.?
Now as an adult and parent, Michael uses these lessons with his family, wife Deborah; and daughters Hannah, 4, and three-month old Alina.
‘I’ve already started teaching Hannah the basics and she absolutely loves it. Many times she tells people she has to teach them the butterfly technique,? said Lohmeier.
The Lohmeier family travels to California to visit Dentoy Revillar, who originally instructed Lohmeier as a boy. Those visits spurred on an appreciation for the Phillipino life-style and environment.
‘They call it ‘Little Manila? where we visit. There’s great food and events,? said Lohmeier.
‘They really make you feel like a family,? said Deborah.
Prior to the judicial appointment, Lohmeier earned a solid reputation working in appraisal. He taught numerous appraisal seminars around the country and is often called upon to lecture.
In addition, he helped start an educational program at his alma mater Oakland University dealing with appraisal and property tax. While the program is for lifelong learners, Lohmeier hopes one day there will be a degree offered.
With the new appointment, the Lohmeier family looks forward to some of the changes.
‘I had to give up my teaching, but teaching often meant traveling a lot to places like Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. Sometimes I’d be gone for three to four weeks straight. At least now I know I’ll be home every night,? said Lohmeier. ‘There is a great time commitment though, there are weeks it’s a 24-hour, seven-day a week job.?
‘It’s something he’s been looking forward to. He’ll be a great judge. He’s honest and hard working,? said Deborah.
Michael speculated over why Granholm selected him to fill the vacant seat on the multi-discipline tribunal.
‘In appraisal, you have to be objective, impartial and independent for the long-term benefit. I’m nonpartisan. I didn’t think I had a chance, I had no political allies,? said Lohmeier.
So the boy who dreamt of appraising at 15, now sits in an office in the Ottawa Building two blocks down from the capitol in Lansing, overlooking the Department of Justice. At only 36, Michael Lohmeier achieved much, but plans to continue.
‘I’d like to contribute as long as Michigan wants me to at the tribunal. It’s the ultimate test of what I’ve learned and an honor to work as a member of that team,? said Lohmeier.