Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company, LLC (BLS & Co.) announced today that the firm has hired Dale Schwebel as Senior Manager to lead the firm’s Compliance Division. Most recently, Schwebel oversaw project management and budget oversight for redevelopment investment efforts for the New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO), a private nonprofit urban real estate development company. Her experience also includes managing public sector economic development initiatives, including tax credit programs, for both the State of New Jersey and private companies.

“Dale brings valuable experience in a broad range of economic development incentives

management issues to our team from her years managing both private development projects  and public sectors initiatives,” said Jay Biggins, executive managing director, BLS & Co. “As an expert in diverse forms of public sector incentives, she will effectively guide our clients  through the increasingly complex compliance process.”

Incentives awarded to companies often involve substantial procedural requirements and    failure to fulfill the terms of these agreements can result in political and financial liability. As  head of compliance, Schwebel will work with BLS & Co. clients to provide a post-closing  “roadmap” of all reporting and claiming requirements and manage compliance activities over  the life of a grant or tax credit.

“Dale will oversee our firm’s growing portfolio of incentive compliance engagements which  includes a large number of projects throughout the U.S.,” said Joe Lacy, managing director of  BLS & Co. “Her expertise is particularly important in a post-COVID world, as the pandemic altered many existing incentive programs and agreements.”

As a senior project manager with DEVCO, Schwebel helped attract $200 million in N.J. tax credits for multiple projects in New Brunswick and managed the compliance process for these projects. Prior to that, she managed public sector economic development initiatives for the N.J. Governor’s office, including developing initial regulations for the Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit program.

“I am thrilled to be joining BLS & Co to lead the firm’s growing compliance portfolio,” said Schwebel. “My strong background in tax credits – including applications, approvals, financing and monetization – enable me to provide a high level of experience and energy for BLS & Co.’s clients across the country.”

With a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Vermont, Schwebel’s nearly 20-year career also includes stints for various political and finance campaigns.