Who We Are

Norman C. Wheeler & Associates was founded in 1958 by Norman C. Wheeler, one of the first and foremost rural appraiser in Montana. Raised in Wibaux, Montana, Norman C Wheeler served in army paratroopers in World War II. After returning home he attended MSU where he graduated with a degree in Range Management. Norman embarked on his professional career joining Travelers Insurance where he pioneered lending along the Highline and helped many first-generation farmers in the Holland Settlement and other areas become established Montana landowners.

Over the years, we have grown from a rural appraisal and mortgage business to an extensive valuation company which studies and provides important real estate valuation information on all types of rural land, and specializes in the area of conservation easement valuation in Montana and Wyoming.

In addition to land valuation, we contract and utilize the various services of valuation experts throughout the region, including an extensive network of Accredited Rural Appraisers throughout Montana and Wyoming.

BOZEMAN: 406-587-7701
MISSOULA: 406-829-3773
INFO@NCWHEELER.COM

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Our Team

Norman C. Wheeler & Associates maintains offices in two Montana locations. In the Bozeman office appraisal, real estate and consulting services are provided by Michael McDonnell, MS, ARA. The Missoula office is operated by Paraic David Neibergs, MA, ARA. Michael, and Paraic are experienced appraisers with nationally recognized professional appraisal designations through the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers who approach the complex appraisal valuation process with a high level of integrity and expertise.

Michael McDonnell

PARTNER, MS, Ara

Mike began his appraisal career in 2004 with Northwest Farm Credit Services in Billings then transferred to Bozeman, Montana. During this time Mike had the opportunity to appraise a variety of farm and ranch properties throughout the State of Montana and Idaho. In 2013, Mike joined Hall and Hall where he continued to work on a wide array of rural and recreational properties on a multi-state basis. In 2018 Mike was invited by Clark Wheeler to join Norman C. Wheeler and Associates and is currently a partner in the firm. Throughout his appraisal career, Mike’s work has been focused on rural properties ranging from recreational tracts to large commercial dairies. With assignments ranging from collateral evaluations to conservation easements, Mike’s clients consist of private landowners, professional advisors, lending institutions, non-profit conservation organizations, and government agencies. Before embarking on his appraisal career, Mike attended Montana State University, earning an M.S. in Animal and Range Sciences and a B.S. in Agricultural Business. In 2011, Mike earned his professional Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA) designation with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA). Mike has served as President of the Montana Chapter of ASFMRA. He is currently serving on the Montana Board of Real Estate Appraisers being appointed by Governor Gianforte in 2023.

Paraic David Neibergs

PARTNER, MA, ARA

Paraic is an Irish name that is pronounced as “Poric”. In 2000, Paraic joined Norman C. Wheeler and Associates opening the Missoula office as an Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA). He grew up in the rolling hills of the Palouse in Pullman, Washington. Paraic graduated from Washington State University with a B.S. and M.A. in Agricultural Economics and a minor in Animal Science. Paraic began his career with Northwest Farm Credit Services working the rural landscapes of the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountains from the Missoula and Spokane, Washington offices. For over 30 years, Paraic has been providing appraisal and consulting services on rural and recreational properties for an array of private landowners, tribal, federal, and state agencies, professional advisors, financial institutions, and non-profit conservation organizations. He has extensive knowledge with conservation easements and has prepared appraisals for IRS and federal yellow book purposes.

As a landowner of rural property in multiple western Montana counties, Paraic and his family have a keen appreciation for the land and what it provides. Paraic enjoys exploring the trails and backroads of Montana and seeing what’s around the next corner with his wife Becky and family.

N. Clark Wheeler

EMERITUS

Norman Clark Wheeler has been actively involved in various aspects of appraisal valuation and brokerage since 1978. He has specialized in rural lands, but over his career he has been exposed to and worked on broad aspects of real property valuations. Mr. Wheeler has been prominent in the development and appraisal of Conservation Easements throughout the Western United States and has been an adversary of the IRS and anti-easement rhetoric. He is one of the few appraisers to have defeated the IRS on several occasions in Federal Tax Court and has championed private property rights in court and judicial proceedings.

For nearly 40 years he was an Accredited Rural Appraiser and was a licensed appraiser in Wyoming and Montana. Since 1982 he has been a licensed real estate broker in Montana having listed and been involved directly in the sale of over 200 Million dollars in real estate. Mr. Wheeler was trained by his father and numerous real estate mentors and successfully directed the firm of Norman C Wheeler and Associates for 35 years.

Over the years the firm has been the training center of numerous prominent appraisers and today houses industry leading appraisers who continue to provide complex appraisal valuations across a Tri State area. The firm pioneered GIS information databases and sales databases and has been a leader of industry innovation.

In 2021 Mr. Wheeler stepped back from management responsibilities and now serves on an advisory basis to the firm. He possesses an institutional knowledge unmatched in the industry. He has been a guest presenter at many local, state, and national meetings or symposiums, and invited to speak to the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank on rural land value issues. Aside from a prominent array of private sector clients his assignments have included a broad range of state and national governmental agencies as well as state and national land trusts.

Jim Wiley

Bs, Ara

With an impressive tenure of over 44 years in the field, Jim Wiley serves as the Senior Appraiser at our company. Jim’s expertise in agricultural lending and rural appraisal is comprehensive and deep-rooted. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics – Agribusiness from the University of Idaho and is a decorated professional in the industry.

Jim is an Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA) with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He is also a Certified General Appraiser in Montana and Idaho, reflecting his wide-ranging skills and thorough knowledge. An adept user of GIS-GPS mapping systems, he brings to the table an advanced understanding of modern technology that enhances the appraisal process.

As a Senior Appraiser, Jim’s primary responsibilities lie in real estate appraisals of rural properties. He primarily handles estates, estate planning, and lending purposes, a job he executes with unmatched efficiency and precision.

Jim’s career is marked by leadership and industry engagement. He has previously served as the President and Vice President, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for the Montana chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Additionally, he held the same roles within the Montana Ag Lenders Range School, Inc. These experiences underscore his commitment to fostering professional growth within the industry.

When he is not analyzing property values and understanding market dynamics, Jim enjoys traveling and spending quality time with his family. His personal interests reflect his open-minded perspective and appreciation for life beyond work.

Through his extensive experience and unwavering dedication, Jim brings invaluable expertise to our team. He embodies the spirit of our company’s commitment to providing accurate, comprehensive, and ethical appraisal services.

Tom Kingsbury

GIS SPECIALIST

Thomas Kingsbury is a seasoned cartographer and GIS specialist who has been working with Norman C Wheeler & Associates since 2005. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for maps, he has meticulously crafted spatial representations and visualizations that have that have played pivotal roles in critical decision-making scenarios. As a valued member of Norman C Wheeler & Associates, Thomas has harnessed his expertise to develop innovative mapping solutions, seamlessly blending artistry with scientific precision. His dedication to accuracy and his ability to translate complex data into visually appealing maps have earned him recognition as a leading figure in the industry. In 2017, Thomas further expanded his impact by establishing Part & Parcel LLC, collaborating closely with Norman C Wheeler & Associates and extending his wealth of experience to appraisers, state and federal agencies, lawyers, conservation groups, non-profits, and private landowners. Through his unwavering dedication, Thomas continues to push the boundaries of cartography, empowering individuals and organizations with valuable geospatial insights.

Trusted, Objective, Experienced Land Appraisal, Mapping, Real Estate & Consulting Since 1958.