Mayor Walsh Appoints Matt Oja as Deputy Commissioner of Assessment

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced the appointment of Matthew Oja as Deputy Commissioner of Assessment. Oja will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the Department of Assessment administrative policies. His primary responsibilities include training appraisers, studying market conditions in regards to rent, mortgages, construction costs, and determining and evaluating assessment roll trends.

Oja has more than a decade of experience in various real estate development and valuation roles. Most recently, Oja was a senior appraiser at CNY Pomeroy Appraisers. In addition to Oja’s service on a number of local boards in the past, he has continued to offer his expertise by presently serving on the boards of directors of FOCUS Greater Syracuse, the Thornden Park Association, and Tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Today.

“Matt brings experience and skills that will greatly complement the expertise already resident in the Department of Assessment,” said Chief Administrative Officer Frank Caliva, “I’m looking forward to working with Matt, Commissioner Clifford, First Deputy Commissioner Gallagher, and the entire team as we look to modernize the City’s assessment processes while maintaining a vision that is reasonable and equitable.”

Matt earned his Juris Doctor from the Syracuse University College of Law, and has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University. He is a member of the New York State and Onondaga County bar associations. He lives in the Westcott neighborhood with his wife and two-year-old son.