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Ellen B. Herman, MAI Founder, CEO & President

Ellen Herman is a respected member of the Twin Cities financial services community, who founded the EB Herman Companies in 1983. In 2007, Finance & Commerce, a prominent Twin Cities business publication, presented Ms. Herman with a prestigious “Top Women in Finance” award for her significant leadership in the financial services industry.

Ms. Herman is a Member of the Appraisal Institute and a Certified General Real Property Appraiser licensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. She is also a licensed real estate and business broker in the State of Minnesota, and a member of the Institute of Business Appraisers. Ms. Herman frequently serves as a court-appointed commissioner in condemnation proceedings, a special hearing officer in special assessment matters, and an arbitrator in valuation disputes and other related proceedings. She is a qualified expert witness in district and federal courts.

Principal Instructor

  • MILE (Minnesota Institute of Legal Education): Eminent Domain Seminars
  • Hennepin County Bar Association: Eminent Domain Committee
  • Minnesota Land Trust: Land Preservation Forum

Affiliations, Designations & Licenses

  • Appraisal Institute – MAI Designated Member
  • State of Minnesota – Certified General Real Property Appraiser – ID #4001467, Level 4 license permits appraisal of all property types
  • State of Wisconsin – Certified General Appraiser and Licensed Appraiser – License #1070-010
  • State of Minnesota – Real Estate Broker – ID #20077343
  • The Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc. (IBA) – Member
  • American Society of Appraisers (ASA) – Member
  • National Association of Realtors (NAR) – Member
  • Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors (MAAR) – Member
  • Commercial Real Estate Women of Minnesota (MNCREW) – Member
James J. Wise, JD, CPA

Vice President

James Wise is a licensed Certified Public Accountant, Attorney, and a Certified General Real Property Appraiser in Minnesota. Mr. Wise has over fifteen years of experience at law and international accounting firms advising clients on real and personal property, sales and use, transfer and federal depreciation tax matters. Since joining EB Herman Companies in 2002, Jim has served as a principal analyst on numerous complex real estate and business litigation assignments, and as an advisor to clients on estate, tax, and other similar matters.

Affiliations, Designations & Licenses

  • State of Minnesota – Certified General Real Property License #20331955
  • State of Minnesota – Certified and Licensed Public Accountant
  • State of Minnesota – Licensed Attorney
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