Deborah Smith
Criterion President

debbiesmith@criterionline.com

Debbie is a Registered Taxpayer Agent for the State of Tennessee. She also currently sits on the Taxpayer Agent Regulatory Panel for the Tennessee State Board of Equalization, which receives updates to property tax legislation and regulations. The panel also evaluates and responds to any complaints against agents.  Debbie has served on the panel for more than 15 years.

Debbie has decades of property tax appeal expertise in Tennessee and is the primary point-of-contact on all of Criterion’s projects – leading its commercial and residential clients through the assessment review and appeal processes.

Debbie brings more than 40 years of experience to property tax consulting, working across a wide variety of property types on all levels of appeal within the County and State Boards of Equalization. She began her career in 1982 at the Tennessee State Division of Property Assessments, followed by a six-year role in a Nashville property tax consultation firm. Debbie joined Criterion in 1990, gaining more experience year over year, and taking on responsibility for its growth and success. In March 2021, Debbie – in partnership with James Lamb and Murray Huber, purchased Criterion’s assets and became the consultancy’s new president.

Murray Huber, RM, CRP
Senior Partner – Residential Real Estate Expert

murray.huber@huberlamb.com

Recognizing the importance and need for property tax appeal expertise and the quality of the work provided by Criterion, Murray and his Huber & Lamb partner, Jimmy Lamb joined with Debbie Smith in 2021 to purchase the organization. Murray provides insight and experience to Criterion’s residential property-based projects, supporting Debbie’s efforts in Tennessee property tax appeals as needed. He too is a Registered Taxpayer Agent for the State of Tennessee. He also leads Criterion’s promotions, advertising and communications efforts. 

Murray is a principal in Huber & Lamb Appraisal Group, Inc. and has been a residential appraiser for 45 years, performing thousands of residential appraisals, some of which have been used for property tax appeal purposes. Murray also serves as an expert witness in legal proceedings focused on residential property, appearing in court in that role.

James Lamb, MAI
Senior Partner — Commercial Real Estate Expert

jimmy.lamb@huberlamb.com

Jimmy and his Huber & Lamb partner, Murray Huber saw the potential for Criterion and, working with Debbie Smith, the team purchased Criterion in 2021. Jimmy regularly works with Debbie Smith to provide the appraisal point-of-view and insights to Criterion’s commercial property projects. He is a Registered Taxpayer Agent with the State of Tennessee.

In addition to his background as a commercial appraiser, Jimmy also has a deep understanding of the judicial perspective. For more than 20 years, Jimmy served as a property tax appeal hearing officer on the Davidson County Board of Equalization, giving him great insight into the process. He relinquished this role upon acquisition of Criterion in 2021.

Jimmy is also a principal in Huber & Lamb Appraisal Group, Inc. He has been in the commercial real estate appraisal business for 39 years and has performed thousands of commercial appraisals throughout his career.  He has represented clients in a variety of court appearances, including many for property tax appeal purposes.