I provide an array of independently contracted services. Some recent / interesting projects include:I developed a construction project management software solution for local construction company. The solution includes an ongoing critical path analysis for a pipeline of approximate 20 construction projects with integrated team communication, task assignments and to-do lists, and mobile integration.I manage the property valuation and tax reduction strategies for the local branch of a national property investment firm. The work includes providing an independent review of Montana Department of Revenue valuation methods, analysis, and modeling, as well as, providing dispute management and representation for local and state appeal boards, as applicable.I developed a land and residential appraisal analysis analytics tool which uses machine learning to provide ongoing comparable sale selection and analysis. The tool integrates ongoing time trend development, distance ranking analysis, comparable sale ranking and selection, development of adjustment factors, and comparable sale adjustments for final estimates of value.

Self Employment - Real Estate Investment and Management - I currently own and manage three properties (six individual units) - including one current remodeling project. I purchased my first investment property in Bozeman in 1996.Example Project: Clark 1919 Redevelop Great Falls, MT (October 2006 to November 2009)Provided vision, feasibility analysis, property selection, acquisition, financial planning (construction loan with tax credits), and redevelopment of a historic property in Great Falls, Montana. As a part of this process, I conducted a market analysis, reviewed ten potential projects, conducted feasibility analysis for five projects, made offers to purchase four properties, created plans for two projects, made three presentations to local interest groups and public agencies, met with three banks for financing, and purchased one property, the Clark 1919. After acquisition of the Clark 1919, I hired and managed a general purpose laborer, contractors, and professional service providers. The project was awarded a Historic Preservation award from the Montana Historical Society and the 2009 Best For Sale Redevelopment award from NeighborWorks. I continue to own this property and it is a personal and financial success.

As an Instructor of Economics at Montana State University for four years, I had the privilege to teach approximately 3,746 students economics (40 individual sections). My courses and instruction consistently received exceptionally high rankings and reviews.Faculty Review:“My overall assessment is that Jerome is an energetic instructor with a unique personality and teaching style that seems to connect well with students. He has an impressive grasp on the material and is able to communicate difficult concepts using real-world applications, clear intuition, and an array of learning tools that makes the content accessible to ECNS 204 students.”“Overall, I was very impressed with Jerome’s teaching. He is performing beyond DAEE (Department of Agriculture Economics and Economics) expectations and standards.”MSU Center for Faculty Excellence:“Most importantly, Jerome has shown the ability to apply best practices for teaching from workshops and trainings to support and enhance his student’s learning. This is reflected in his outstanding course evaluations that I reviewed with him, especially his enthusiasm for the subject matter and willingness to support and make himself available to all students to ensure their success, including those students who struggle. We are fortunate to have Jerome as an instructor teaching economics courses at MSU and fully endorse his capabilities to support student success in challenging economics courses.”Student Evaluations: “Professor Patton is one of the best professors that I've come across at MSU. He cares about the success of each student and wants everyone to understand the material. His examples in the lecture really help make the material stick. Thank you for a great semester!”“Really engaging teacher, who is super helpful. He really makes the class enjoyable and I have (and will continue) to recommend other friends to this class. Probably my favorite professor for this year.”“One of the best teachers I have ever had."

As a (lead econometric) Modeler for the Department of Revenue, Property Assessment Division, my position was responsible for understanding the Division’s current mass appraisal practice in the context of accepted mass appraisal best practices; conducting research and analysis on established and emerging mass appraisal trends; identifying opportunities for improvement; envisioning potential solutions in light of operational, budget, and technological constraints; developing new theory, tools, methods, and procedures; testing potential solutions; developing conclusions; presenting findings and recommendations; developing consensus; and incorporating program and policy changes in a consistent and coordinated manner.In this position, I provided program and policy development, independent research, and technical innovation that improved the division’s mass appraisal practice, rules, and policies. I created new data gathering systems, standards, approaches, concepts, tools, specifications, and models that augmented existing knowledge and provided new knowledge based on extensive and diverse independent research, modeling, and testing of concepts and theories.Additionally, I provided the analytical work of developing, specifying, critiquing, and calibrating mass appraisal econometric models which predicted market value of property across geography, time, and other characteristics by assembling data, exploring data, specifying econometric models, testing, critiquing, and re-specification of the econometric models, explaining model calibration and results, and the final application and defense of models.Finally, I provided mentorship, coordination, and oversight of less experienced modelers and provided related consultation, advice, and education to management, legal, and leadership in the department - including developing strategy, provided evidence, and testimony for appeals with county level appeal boards and the Montana Tax Appeal Board.

As a Senior Economist for the Montana Department of Revenue – Tax Policy and Research Division, I provided complex ad hoc tax policy research and analytic support for a diverse range of topics with, at times, politically competing stakeholders. Work ranged from conducting research and analysis to political and administrative-level project management. The necessary skills included: leadership, strategic decision making, complex analysis, political understanding, project management, multi-faceted communication, team building, and collaboration.Additionally, I provided general research, analysis, forecasting, and reporting of detailed information (including fiscal notes and other reports) to the Montana Department of Revenue (DOR) and the Montana State Legislature. A large portion of this position was dedicated to creating complicated models, in both Excel and statistical databases (SAS), to quantify the effects of current and proposed property tax legislation and then reporting my findings to administrators and legislators in writing and through presentations. During the legislative session, I drafted fiscal notes related to property taxation and presented these notes in committee hearings as well as answered requests for technical information from the governor, DOR administration, legislature, other state agencies and the public.Examples of this work include: I created a predictive model for a complicated business equipment tax law change and assisted the Governor and his office in the development of the optimal threshold exemption levels for the Business Equipment Tax and calculated the appropriate reimbursement amount for each taxing jurisdiction in the state and managed payments to county treasurers.I developed and automated a process and toolset to evaluate the accuracy of the Property Assessment Division's reappraisal values against industry benchmarks, a database driven land valuation model and method, and a machine-learning time trend estimator tool.

As a Project Coordinator for the City of Minneapolis my goal was to facilitate business and tax base growth in the City of Minneapolis by coordinating real estate development and by managing City owned assets. In this position, my primary role was to organize a team of professionals including: architects, attorneys, engineers, civic leaders, contractors, finance specialists, and neighborhood groups. I then manage various projects including: land sales, building leases and sales, construction projects, development contracts, and property management. Two of my primary responsibilities included coordinating the Midtown Exchange redevelopment contracts and public finance and managing the Target Center Arena. I was the City’s project manager for the final phases of the $190M Midtown Exchange redevelopment project, including a $2M bridge loan to assist in the development of the 80,000 sq. ft. Midtown Global Market. Additionally, I provided asset/property management responsibilities for the $80M Target Center Arena, where my responsibilities included implementing capital improvement projects and managing related professional, equipment, and construction contracts. Finally, I provided ad hoc project management for the division. For example: I managed the Community Development Block Grant Payments, created a Microsoft Access database for reporting current projects and relevant information, acquired and sold property, met with neighborhood groups, and created and enforced economic development contracts.