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.

Currently Director of Economic Development for EmPower Solutions Group, Rodney has in excess of 25 years of experience in Economic and Community Development, Government Programs, and Tax Credits. Rodney has worked as a consultant for numerous Fortune 500 Clientele.

As Real Estate Site Incentives Manager for Fortune 500 Lowe’s Companies, Inc., Rodney spearheaded the new Site Incentive Group growing incentives from $20M to $800M in 3 short years. During this time, projects ranged from manufacturing, distribution, data centers, call centers, and retail covering all 50 states.

In addition, Rodney worked as an Internal Revenue Service Revenue Agent for the U.S. Department of Treasury gaining invaluable tax and tax credit experience. Rodney holds a BSBA from Radford University. Rodney is a member of the SC Economic Developers Association (SCEDA) Rodney is the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) VA State Co-Chair for the P3 Retail for Public-Private Partnerships. Rodney also serves on the Legislative Committee of his local Chamber of Commerce in VA.

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.