We thought long and hard about the first few lines of our editorial for this podcast, in the hopes we’d successfully ignite some curiosity with our audience. It was decided that leading with “Tax Talk” might not be the hook needed. But after our interview with Bobbi Jo Lazarus, Shareholder with Elliott Davis, we changed our minds. Because spending 25 minutes on this podcast is going to be more entertaining and interesting than you would think. And extremely (yes, extremely) educational. In a short amount of time, we unpacked the top elements of the new implications of the Big Beautiful Bill with the addition of perspectives about its place in the landscape of previous bills. Bobbi Jo mentions she feels this work is like ‘solving a puzzle’ and you need to ‘always think ahead.’ In our opinion, no one should make a move in the tax world without a professional like Bobbi Jo.

In addition to her deep knowledge of her craft, Bobbi Jo is the incoming Charlotte NAIOP President. She is a driving force in their initiative around amplifying the boots on the ground voices at the state level. The goal is to establish a coalition that can generate real-time discussions with lawmakers and get more traction around ‘what happens next’ planning. And with the passing of The Big Beautiful Bill, there is so much to parse through, especially as the guidance needed to implement these new laws trickles in. A translator is surely needed.

Our GRWR lighting round, clearly one of our guests’ favorite parts of the interview, gave us a glimpse into what makes Bobbi Jo tick. She’s transparent and funny. Articulate and engaging. Confident and competent. You’re listening and laughing and nodding for so much of the interview that you don’t even realize that we’re talking about …yes…Tax Talk. Just click “listen” and learn for yourself.

Bobbi Jo's Professional Bio:

With over 20 years of experience, Bobbi Jo Lazarus has established herself as a respected leader within the real estate industry. Utilizing a forward-thinking approach, her expertise extends beyond advisory and tax services, as she consistently delivers value-added solutions supported by the full capabilities of Elliott Davis’s real estate and consulting teams. Her impact is marked by a strong commitment to staying ahead of regulatory changes and market dynamics, ensuring customers remain competitive in an ever-evolving landscape.

As the previous Real Estate Industry Specialty Group leader, she spearheaded initiatives to align customer needs with team strengths, resulting in higher satisfaction and measurable business impact. Bobbi Jo’s influence also extends into the non-profit sector, where she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service, including executive roles supporting organizations focused on real estate development, emergency management, and advocacy. Her ability to navigate complex challenges and foster collaboration has driven success across both corporate and non-profit initiatives, ensuring sustainable growth and positive impact.

Education, Credentials and Special Training

Certified Public Accountant

B.S., Accounting with an Economics minor, Plymouth State University

Civic & Community Activities

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation Board, Treasurer

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Type III All Hazards Incident Management Team, Member

Hopeway, Advisory Board Member

Leadership Charlotte, Class 44

Professional Affiliations

NAIOP Charlotte, President-Elect

NAIOP, Tax Policy Committee Member

NAIOP Nashville

Women Executives of Charlotte

Charlotte Regional Business Alliance

Urban Land Institute

CREW Charlotte - Past National Delegate, Past President

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants

Awards

Charlotte Business Journal Women in Business Award Recipient 2025

Career Mastered Emerging Leader Award Recipient 2018

Charlotte Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award Recipient 2016

Mecklenburg Times 50 Most Influential Women Award Recipient 2015

NCACPA Women to Watch, Emerging Leader 2014

CREW Charlotte, Sponsor of the Year 2012

Business Leader Women Extraordinaire, Award Recipient 2011

CREW Charlotte, New Member of the Year 2010