IPT Member News

IPT’s New CMIs

Congratulations to New CMIs

IPT’s Board of Governors has awarded the CMI–Property Tax designation to the following members for meeting all education, experience, and examination requirements:

• Jonathan Adam Arroyos, CMI – Ryan, LLC
• Camil Asmar, CMI – Ryan, LLC
• Monica Boyles, CMI – KPMG LLP
• Melanie Brennan, CMI – KPMG LLP
• Donavan Catron, CMI – Crowe LLP
• Richard Chandler, CMI – The Walt Disney Company
• Derrick J. Dyslin, CMI – KPMG LLP
• Alaa Elemam, CMI – Amazon.com
• Taylor H. (Haug), CMI – The Irvine Company
• Patrick Lantrip, CMI – ClearEdge Tax Group
• Caleb Smoot, CMI – KPMG LLP

Get Involved with IPT

The IPT community Is Ready for You

Join a diverse community of more than 6,600 members and achieve educational excellence, earn professional certification, and gain access to a world-class network. With IPT, you can advocate for equitable administration of state and local taxes, participate in volunteer opportunities to grow your leadership skills, and establish a stronger professional reputation by participating on our committees.

Member News

President's Message

Dear IPT Members,

As 2025 comes to a close and we move into the holiday season, I find myself reflecting on the incredible energy, commitment, and community that define IPT. This time of year naturally invites celebration and gratitude, and I want to take a moment to thank every IPT member, volunteer, committee, and employee for making this another remarkable year for our Institute.

The past few months have been especially full—from the Sales Tax Symposium and VAT Symposium to our Real Property Tax School, Personal Property Tax School, Property Tax Symposium, Credits & Incentives Symposium, and the Texas Two-Day Seminar. Each program was a clear testament to the dedication of our committees and the strength of our volunteer-driven model. Your willingness to share your expertise, to mentor rising professionals, and to help deliver meaningful, high-quality education is what continues to set IPT apart. We truly could not do this work without you.

In addition to the upcoming holiday festivities, we also have much to celebrate within IPT itself.  Next year marks IPT’s 50th year—a milestone that represents five decades of education, professional growth, collaboration, and community. This anniversary is not just a marker of how far IPT has come, but a reflection of the generations of members and volunteers who have shaped this organization into the leading resource for state and local tax professionals.

Looking ahead, we have an extraordinary year planned—beginning with the Sales Tax School I, ABA-IPT Advanced Seminars and the Sales Tax School II. That leads us to June and the well-hyped 2026 Annual Conference in Honolulu, which will be IPT’s most comprehensive educational program to date. With expanded breakout offerings, enhanced ethics sessions, cross-disciplinary content, and 20+ hours of continuing education, this historic conference will set a new standard for the depth and breadth of IPT learning. It will also serve as a celebration of the people, ideas, and leadership that have defined IPT’s first 50 years.

As a reminder, early registration for the Annual Conference closes on January 30, 2026, and I encourage you to take advantage of the reduced rates and register now. This unforgettable event, bringing together IPT’s spirit of learning, community, and celebration will undoubtably be remembered for years to come.

Thank you again for your ongoing support, your dedication to the profession, and your commitment to one another. I wish you the most joyful holiday season and a bright start to the new year. I look forward to all we will accomplish together in 2026 as we honor IPT’s past and shape its future.

Warm regards,
Donald L. Lippert, Jr., CMI
IPT President

Get Involved with IPT

The IPT community Is Ready for You

Join a diverse community of more than 6,600 members and achieve educational excellence, earn professional certification, and gain access to a world-class network. With IPT, you can advocate for equitable administration of state and local taxes, participate in volunteer opportunities to grow your leadership skills, and establish a stronger professional reputation by participating on our committees.

IPT Member News

Meet IPTs President

Don Lippert serves as Principal and National Property Tax Leader at Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, where he oversees strategy and execution for one of the firm’s most dynamic service lines. With more than three decades of experience, Don brings an enterprise perspective to property tax compliance and advisory, delivering measurable value to clients navigating complex and evolving tax landscapes. He currently leads a high-performing, cross-border team of 70 professionals, aligning tax strategies with broader business objectives.

Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Don held a senior leadership role at General Electric, where he managed the global property tax function for its Energy, Healthcare, Water, and Industrial divisions. His initiatives generated over $105 million in tax savings, underscoring his ability to drive performance through operational innovation and fiscal discipline. Don began his property tax career with a leasing company and quickly elevated his abilities by joining a Big 4 accounting firm, building the foundation for his broad expertise in strategic tax planning and execution.

He advises Fortune 500 clients and emerging enterprises alike across industries including manufacturing, retail, multi-family, senior living, hospitality, healthcare, captive finance, transportation, technology and centrally assessed – railroad, energy, airlines and telecommunication.

Credentials and Affiliations:
• Certified Member (CMI), Institute for Professionals in Taxation
• Licensed Senior Property Tax Consultant, State of Texas
• Member, International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO)
• Published author and speaker on tax strategy and organizational performance

Don lives in Glenview, IL (suburb of Chicago), with his wife Allie, kids Ava (Senior at SCAD), Sophie (Sophomore at Arizona) and Max (Senior in HS). Outside of work, he enjoys attending sporting events, concerts, travel, and spending time with the family at Disney.

Get Involved with IPT

The IPT community Is Ready for You

Join a diverse community of more than 6,600 members and achieve educational excellence, earn professional certification, and gain access to a world-class network. With IPT, you can advocate for equitable administration of state and local taxes, participate in volunteer opportunities to grow your leadership skills, and establish a stronger professional reputation by participating on our committees.