KENNETH ZDROK
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Accomplished property tax executive and attorney with extensive expertise in data centers, IT infrastructure, and telecommunications. Proven ability to manage property tax functions, achieving significant cost reductions. Skilled in negotiation, litigation, compliance oversight, process improvement, and tax budgeting.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director of Property Tax
Jones, Lang, LaSalle
Atlanta, GA
09.2025 - Current
- Filed property tax appeals nationwide.
- Oversaw budgeting processes, maintaining fiscal responsibility while supporting strategic initiatives.
- Negotiated settlements with local officials.
- Monitored industry trends and recommended strategies to leverage opportunities for organizational growth.
Principal of Property Tax
McGuire Sponsel
Atlanta, GA
02.2023 - 09.2025
- Managed relationships with external stakeholders, including clients and regulatory bodies.
- Represented the company before various governmental agencies during audits or inquiries.
- Developed training programs on evolving tax laws for internal staff education.
- Mentored junior staff to enhance team performance and operational efficiency.
Sr. Manager, Property Tax & Business Incentives
Pruitthealth
Atlanta, GA
02.2021 - 02.2023
- Increased profit by over $13.6M through tax reduction/revenue enhancements in two years with company
- Led property tax, escheat recovery, audit management, and business incentive functions for the company
- Advised senior management on strategic acquisitions on tax minimization
- Reviewed assessments, filed appeals, negotiated settlements with over 90 jurisdictions
- Supervised personal property audits and identified offsets.
- Collaborated with accounting team to identify process improvements and mitigate exposure risk in sales & use and property tax matters.
- Managed litigation and oversaw attorneys, consultants, and appraisers to ensure effective resolution
Property Tax Manager
Westdale Asset Management
Dallas, TX
06.2019 - 07.2020
- Managed property tax litigation in Georgia and North Carolina resulting in over $475,000 in tax savings
- Oversaw entire property tax function of 216 multi-family property portfolio, including planning, budgeting, appeals and payment
- Supervised third-party tax consultants during annual tax appeals, ensuring strategic alignment and maximizing potential savings.
- Estimated future tax budget to inform quarterly accrual account adjustments; facilitating accurate financial forecasting.
- Developed valuation models for portfolio assessment analysis; enhancing decision-making for property tax strategies.
Senior Tax Counsel
Cold River Land, LLC (now CBRE)
Atlanta, GA
05.2014 - 05.2018
- Developed evidence and arguments for 1,100+ tax appeals annually, supporting successful outcomes in property tax disputes
- Managed appeal and litigation strategies for commercial real estate portfolio exceeding 3,900 parcels, enhancing portfolio valuation outcomes
- Served as subject matter expert on legal and valuation matters in property taxation, influencing strategic decision-making
- Appraised complex properties, establishing target values to inform strategic tax appeal decisions
- Supervised and trained six team members, enhancing team knowledge and skills in property tax valuation
Tax Director
Assessment Technologies, LTD
San Antonio, TX
02.2013 - 05.2014
- Prosecuted over 350 property tax appeals
- Collaborated with state government officials to develop accelerated depreciation tables, improving compliance and supporting strategic tax planning.
- Negotiated property tax assessments for Safeway grocery stores in Colorado, optimizing tax liabilities and ensuring favorable outcomes.
- Advocated for taxpayers in retail, hospitality, and skilled nursing sectors, securing fair tax assessments and protecting client interests.
Senior Manager
DMA- DuCharme, McMillen & Associates, Inc
Phoenix, AZ
02.2009 - 06.2010
- Achieved $81M value reduction and over $900,000 in tax savings for industrial wood products facility
- Negotiated $12M data center value reduction for Microsoft Hyperscale Data Center in Quincy, Washington.
- Inspected industrial and commercial properties, identifying and documenting obsolescence issues to support value assessments.
- Prosecuted appeals before state and local boards, advocating for favorable outcomes in property value assessments.
Property Tax Manager
Xerox Corporation
Rochester, NY
10.2005 - 02.2009
- Oversaw tax compliance, management, and appeals across 325 jurisdictions for technology assets, ensuring adherence to regulations.
- Managed audits and negotiated settlements with multiple jurisdictions, achieving favorable outcomes for compliance.
- Monitored ongoing litigation cases and assessed potential impacts on the company, informing strategic decision-making. and legislation affecting the company.
- Built cross-functional alliances with key stakeholders to enhance collaboration across departments
Senior Manager - Property Tax
KPMG
Atlanta, GA
08.2003 - 09.2005
- Achieved over $3M in property tax savings through appeals and negotiation.
- Supervised reverse sales tax audits, ensuring compliance and identifying potential savings.
- Educated and managed five subordinates on compliance, appeal, and forecasting matters.
- Championed product initiatives for National Telecom Industry Team, enhancing product offerings and market competitiveness.
Property Tax Representative
MCI WorldCom
Atlanta, GA
06.1995 - 05.2003
- Appealed and negotiated property values with state and local officials, advocating for fair assessments and cost-effective solutions.
- Planned and budgeted for property tax for telecommunication assets such as data centers, NOCs, and switching centers across 13 states.
- Coordinated and reviewed compliance and regulatory submissions to ensure adherence to legal standards.
- Participated in Wichita State Property Tax School for nine consecutive years.
Education
J.D. -
Emory University School of Law
Atlanta, GABachelor of Arts - Political Science
Boston University
Boston, MASkills
- Property tax appeal and litigation management
- Legal research and appeal prosecution
- Tax abatement strategies
- Compliance oversight
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Negotiation and planning
- Portfolio valuation
Additional Information
- Massachusetts Bar BBO# 566127
- Institute for Professionals in Taxation, Member and CMI Property Tax Candidate (05/2023)
Timeline
Senior Director of Property Tax
Jones, Lang, LaSalle
09.2025 - Current
Principal of Property Tax
McGuire Sponsel
02.2023 - 09.2025
Sr. Manager, Property Tax & Business Incentives
Pruitthealth
02.2021 - 02.2023
Property Tax Manager
Westdale Asset Management
06.2019 - 07.2020
Senior Tax Counsel
Cold River Land, LLC (now CBRE)
05.2014 - 05.2018
Tax Director
Assessment Technologies, LTD
02.2013 - 05.2014
Senior Manager
DMA- DuCharme, McMillen & Associates, Inc
02.2009 - 06.2010
Property Tax Manager
Xerox Corporation
10.2005 - 02.2009
Senior Manager - Property Tax
KPMG
08.2003 - 09.2005
Property Tax Representative
MCI WorldCom
06.1995 - 05.2003
J.D. -
Emory University School of Law
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Boston University