Our Experts

As a current managing partner and a former director of business development with one of the nation’s largest tax solution firms, John has helped commercial real estate owners, investors and business operation entities realize significant tax savings and increased ROI through valuable tax planning tools such as accelerated depreciation and capital reserve analysis; economic development programs and energy efficiency. He also works closely with accounting firms providing a valuable resource for their clients. John provides continuing education and practice development seminars to various professional organizations throughout the year.

John has over 14 years of experience in the real estate and business development arena. John has worked with a wide range of property types, to include retail, medical, multi-family, office, restaurants, energy facilities, multi-phased mixed-use and large scale planned community developments.

John is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) where he has moderated tax strategy discussions during state Idea Exchange events and was chosen to sit as a panelist at the national conference in Las Vegas. John has also been a guest speaker for the South Carolina Association of CPAs (SCACPAs) accounting and tax conference on the benefits of cost segregation and its many applications throughout the life cycle of real estate. John was also selected by the North Carolina Association of CPAs to present at the 71st Annual NC Symposium.

In loving memory of Rodney, who dedicated over 25 years to the fields of Economic and Community Development, Government Programs, and Tax Credits. As the Director of Economic Development for EmPower Solutions Group, Rodney’s impact extended far and wide.

During his tenure as the Real Estate Site Incentives Manager for Fortune 500 Lowe’s Companies, Inc., Rodney played a pivotal role in the growth of the Site Incentive Group. In just three years, he led the team to increase incentives from $20M to an impressive $800M. His visionary leadership touched diverse projects, including manufacturing, distribution, data centers, call centers, and retail, spanning all 50 states.

Rodney’s journey also included serving as an Internal Revenue Service Revenue Agent for the U.S. Department of Treasury, where he gained invaluable tax and tax credit experience. A graduate of Radford University with a BSBA, Rodney was a member of the SC Economic Developers Association (SCEDA) and served as the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) VA State Co-Chair for the P3 Retail for Public-Private Partnerships.

His commitment to the community extended to his role on the Legislative Committee of the local Chamber of Commerce in VA, leaving a lasting impact on both local and national levels.

Rodney’s legacy will be remembered not only for his professional achievements but also for the warmth, dedication, and expertise he brought to every endeavor. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the realms of economic development and community service. May his memory continue to inspire us all.

As Director of Economic Development, Tray specializes in leveraging tax incentives to foster growth for businesses. His comprehensive knowledge of various incentive programs at both State and Federal levels has been instrumental in providing opportunities for clients seeking to optimize their financial strategies. By partnering with CPA firms and other tax professionals, Tray has been able to maximize benefits for Empower clients.

Tray has accumulated valuable experience through roles at prominent organizations such as Delta Air Lines and Intercontinental Hotel Group. His tenure in these companies has equipped him with a diverse skill set and a deep understanding of the intricacies of the business landscape. Tray holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Georgia.

Jordan Alley is a dedicated professional serving as Assistant Director of Economic Development at Empower Solutions Group. In this role, Jordan is responsible for delivering exceptional value to clients through the strategic application of various State and Federal Tax Incentive programs.

Jordan has played a pivotal role in identifying and implementing opportunities for clients to leverage tax incentives effectively. Jordan’s contributions have resulted in tangible benefits for Empower Solutions Group clients. From maximizing tax savings to fostering economic growth, Jordan has been instrumental in driving positive outcomes for the businesses she serves.

Jordan holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of South Carolina.

Cigdem joined EmPower Solutions Group as Chief Financial Officer in February 2016, with over 18 years of corporate finance, operations and executive management experience. As a CFO with national and international emerging, growth and mid-market companies, Cigdem’s experience spans everything from helping to launch startup enterprises to successful turnaround engagements and investor relations for over 2400 shareholders.

She has held a wide range of leadership, management, and advisory positions since serving as CFO at Bonded Builders Service Corp, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bankers Insurance Group, in Boca Raton, FL, where she played a key role in financial planning, reporting and internal control functions, and general corporate finance activities as well as design and maintenance of the financial reporting structures.

Cigdem is a Certified Public Accountant, and an ASCSP Associate Member actively licensed in South Carolina and holds a B.S. from Florida Atlantic University. She is the current Treasurer for a non-profit organization and has two children with her husband Brett.

Alex joined the Empower Solutions team as the Director of Business Development in August of 2022; Alex is a respected and award-winning sales executive with 20 years of experience leading high-energy sales
operations through strong leadership. He has an outstanding record of recruiting, building, and nurturing sales teams while fostering customer engagement with C-Level executives.

Alex spent the majority of his career with the third-largest producer of corrugated packaging in the U.S. As a sales manager for the Jacksonville, FL, operation, his team grew the business by 35% in four years helping the
plant earn Platinum Plant Performance Awards for Volume Improvement,
Price Management Excellence, Operating Profit Improvement and Operating Profit Excellence. As a sales representative, Alex received membership into the Arete Circle in recognition of his significant contributions through a consistent record of superior sales generation, supporting profitable growth and success in the marketplace.

He is originally from the metro Atlanta area where he received his Business Management Degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology while playing football from 1995-1999.

Alex, his wife, and two daughters live in Mount Pleasant, SC.