I was a gymnast from birth to age 14 and my Olympic dream started as a gymnast. I was a gymnast from birth to age 14 and my Olympic dream started as a gymnast.

MIAMI—With the Rio Summer Olympics in full swing, some South Florida commercial real estate professionals may not know we have an Olympian in our ranks. David Pichler, director of valuation and advisory in Cushman & Wakefield’s property tax services division, moved to South Florida in 1992 after graduating from college and missing out on qualifying for the 1992 Olympics.

But he didn’t give up on his diving dreams. GlobeSt.com caught up with Pichler to discuss his glorious past and his current work in South Florida.

GlobeSt.com: Share a moment from Sydney or Atlanta that particularly stands out for you.

Pichler: My most memorable thing would be standing on the platform in the 1996 games in Atlanta, in front of the tremendous home country crowd, and they go crazy when my name was announced. It seemed to last forever. It was such an incredible feeling of support and pride in representing my country.

GlobeSt.com: Other than diving, what is your favorite Olympic sport and why?

Pichler: I love to watch swimming because the races are so exciting, but my favorite sport would be gymnastics. I was a gymnast from birth to age 14 and my Olympic dream started as a gymnast.

GlobeSt.com: For folks at Cushman & Wakefield Florida who may not know what you do, what would you tell them?

Pichler: I am a property tax consultant. Property taxes are based on an assessed value the County Assessor assigns to a property. My primary job is to review the assessed—or taxable— value of a property to determine if it is in line with the fee simple market value as of the assessment date, usually January 1st of each year.

If the assessed value is higher than the market value, I file an appeal with the local taxing authority and build a case to lower it. I often work with the assessors to resolve the matter, but it usually needs to be resolved by a Special Magistrate in an informal county hearing process.

GlobeSt.com: What has been your professional gold medal moment?

Pichler: Getting my position at Cushman & Wakefield. I had worked for accounting and consulting firms, but real estate firms didn’t have property tax professionals. To be with a full service real estate company and have the opportunity to work with other real estate service lines was my passion.

GlobeSt.com: How are you helping Florida brokers in their everyday dealings?

Pichler: Lowering property taxes make clients and property owners happy and is a good way to secure client relationships—property taxes are the largest real estate operating expense. Lower property taxes equal reduced rental rates or pass-throughs, which make it easier to rent vacant spaces and for better tenant retention.

Property tax consulting is a contingency fee service. There is no cost to a client unless we save them money. Property tax pre-acquisition due diligence is essential. Clients will thank you for making them aware of possible tax jumps after acquisitions.

GlobeSt.com: If you didn’t work in commercial real estate, what would you be doing?

Pichler: Coaching diving.

Want more insights into property tax? Check out my recent column: This Could Make An Impact On Your Bottom Line.