Name: Gilliland, Charles E.
Title: Research Economist and Professor at Texas A&M University
Texas A&M Class: 1983
Inducted: 2014
Dr. Charles Gilliland grew up on a cattle ranch and began his academic career at Regis College in Denver, Colorado, earning an A.B. degree in English in 1969. After undergraduate school, he served as office manager at the Hidalgo and Cameron Counties Water Control and Improvement District Number 9, an 80,000 acre irrigation district headquartered in Mercedes, Texas. In 1979, Dr. Gilliland completed a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University and continued study to complete a Ph.D. degree at Texas A&M in 1983. During his time at Texas A&M, Dr. Gilliland first served as chief deputy appraiser with A&M Consolidated Independent School District in 1975 and he later joined the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M as a Research Associate in 1977.
Guided by Lonnie Jones, chairman of his M.S. committee, and committee members Alvin B. Wooten and Rudolf J. Freund, Charles completed a thesis entitled, “Econometrics in Real Estate Appraisal.” His dissertation, “An Analysis of the Wealth Effects of Property Tax Reform,” under committee chairman Lonnie Jones and committee members Ivan Schmedemann and Jack P. Friedman, addressed reallocation of property taxes following tax reform. His work on the dissertation resulted in Dr. Gilliland testifying to the Ways and Means Committee of the Texas House of Representatives. The testimony prompted legislators to craft measures to provide tax relief to homeowners and rural land owners and led to further studies to guide reform measures.
Dr. Gilliland currently holds an appointment as a Research Economist with the Real Estate Center in the Mays Business School and an appointment as Adjunct Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics, both at Texas A&M University. In addition, Dr. Gilliland is the Helen and O.N. Mitchell Fellow of Real Estate and a Clinical Professor of Finance teaching real estate investment analysis for the Master of Real Estate program in the Mays Business School. As a teacher, Dr. Gilliland has supported that program and its predecessor, the Land Economics and Real Estate degree. He has developed the Center’s research program studying Texas Land Markets. Current published reports provide information on Texas market developments since 1966. Recognizing contributions to the industry, in 2009, the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers bestowed its Golden Quill Award on Dr. Gilliland. In 2010, The Farm Credit Bank of Texas inducted Dr. Gilliland into the Academy of Honor for significant contributions to agriculture. In addition, he has advised the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT), a national corporate taxpayer association. The IPT has recognized Dr. Gilliland for significant contributions to its mission. In addition, IPT named his article on “Inception and Evolution of the Unit Rule Appraisal of Complex Properties in Ad Valorem Taxation” Property Tax Article of the Year in 2010.
Dr. Gilliland has contributed expert testimony before the United States Senate, Texas Senate, and Texas House of Representatives. He has an extensive publication record, including a book entitled Buying Rural Land In Texas published by the Texas A&M University Press in 2012. Dr. Gilliland has also provided consulting services for a wide variety of public and private entities including King Ranch, Inc., Valero Energy Corporation, Office of the Inspector General – USDA, Farm Credit Bank of Texas, Texas Department of Agriculture, Underwood Law Firm, and Brusniak|Blackwell Attorneys at Law.
Charlie and his wife Diane live in College Station, Texas.
