FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK
Chapter 20 President: Brian Mielke
This will be a brief message today focused on the benefits we all share from IRWA; specifically the networking and educational opportunities.
Last week, I traveled with many of our members to the Regional Fall Forum in Cedar Rapids with attendees from each chapter in the region and from practice areas ranging from survey to environmental specialties, acquisition to appraisal, etc. We also had colleagues from cities, states, consultants, and agencies. Our speakers included experts on small cell installations and the flood control systems being put in place in Cedar Rapids (and colleagues working on the project toured it with us!) Finally, I decided to stay and take course 901 (it had been a long time.)
All of these things were beneficial immediately (I was able to ask some questions and also talk directly about current projects I’m working on to get some fresh ideas,) and will be long term with the connections made. In 15 years of right of way and 20 plus in real estate, it’s really amazing to be able to review material from 2 or 3 years ago to refresh myself and even more so to be able to pick up the phone and say “Hey, it’s Brian and I’m hoping you can help me with…” and have the person on the other end of the phone be happy to hear from me, catch up a bit and then get some expertise and/or perspective. We really are a community in right of way and we really do have experts both in education and in practice that are always willing to help with a how to or a fresh perspective when you’re stuck on something or just want an opinion!
HOPEFULLY we’ll see each of you at the Spring Forum being held right here in St. Paul! Please consider it and save the date-we’ve already got several very good speakers lined up with excellent topics. If you’d like to help, please also get in touch with me! Save the date flier attached.
Our NEXT Opportunity locally is our Nov. meeting of course. If you haven’t yet, go to irwa20.org to sign up. Tree valuation will be the speaker topic and lunch will be outstanding.
Hoping to see you there!
2022 - 2023 SPONSORS
Platinum
- WSB
- HDR
- ProSource
Gold
- Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
- Great River Energy
Silver
- Valbridge Property Advisors
- SRF
Bronze
- Acquire ROW Services, LLC
- Ulteig
- Henning Professional Services
- Patchin Messner Valuation Counselors
2022 - 2023 EXECUTIVE BOARD
- Director: Matthew Hagelin, SR/WA
- President: Brian Mielke, SR/WA, R/W-NAC
- President Elect: Sean Lawler, SR/WA
- Treasurer: Faye Gillespie
- Secretary: Joe Haefner
NOVEMBER BOARD AND MEMBER MEETING
Mark your calendars for our next Chapter Meeting which will be on November 9th, 2022 at the Croix Farm Orchard in Hastings, MN.
- Location: Croix Farm Orchard - 12971 St. Croix Trail South, Hastings, MN 55033
- 10am - Board meeting
- 12pm - Member meeting/luncheon and speaker
- Speaker: Manuel Jordán - Heritage Tree's
- Manuel Jordán is an ISA Certified Arborist specializing in tree valuation, risk assessment and tree preservation practices. He has worked in the green industry for over 15 years, including serving in the private, municipal and state agency sectors in the green industry. Mr. Jordán is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture (MSA), where he serves as Chair of the Tree Valuation Committee. He is also an instructor in the field of Arboriculture at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Mr. Jordán has been qualified and testified as an expert witness in federal court. His reports have been used to settle cases related to criminal trespass and tree removal, automobile/tree collisions, retail theft, property line neighbor tree disputes and more. Mr. Jordán received his B.S. in Urban Forestry (1996) with Minors in Forest Resources and Economics, from the University of Minnesota.
- To Register, click here!
We look forward to seeing you!
SEPTEMBER BOARD AND MEMBER MEETING RECAP
In September, Chapter 20 was able to hold our golf networking event which was followed by the MnDOT Right of Way Professionals Workshop. The golf event was a great turnout with beautiful weather, a fun round of golf and mini-golf, and have a great meal while getting to relax and discuss right of way.
We had a great meeting at the WSB offices in Minneapolis in May. Thank you WSB for hosting our board and member meeting. We were able to hold our board member elections to elect our 2022/2023 board. We also were able to hear Richard with BNSF share their work and their collaborative efforts with federal, state, and local agencies to implement infrastructure projects to drive safety and service outcomes. Thank you Richard for a great presentation!
MEMBERSHIP REPORT
Please welcome our newest members to Chapter 20:
- Connor Puff from WSB
- Sara Kenjalo from Border Resources
- Stephanie Schuver from Otter Tail Power
- Anthony Stucchi from Carver County
- Derick Teich from Dakota Electric
Please extend a warm welcome to them. We look forward to their participation in Chapter 20.
If you have any questions about your membership, please feel free to contact Ben Barker at 612-581-6572 or bbarker@wsbeng.com.
RWIEF - THE SKINNY ON SCHOLARSHIPS
Most of us know that the Right of Way International Education Foundation is the non-profit funding mechanism for right of way education, providing funds for new courses, updates of existing courses and other education initiatives. Not as many of us remember that RWIEF supports three scholarship programs, click here to get the skinny!
UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
- Course 600 - Environmental Awareness – December 6th, 2022 - Golden Valley, MN
- Course 603 - Understanding Environmental Contamination in Real Estate - December 7th, 2022 - Golden Valley, MN
- Course 604 - Environmental Due Diligence and Liability - December 8th, 2022 - Golden Valley, MN
- Course 101 - Principles of Land Acquisition - January 24th - 25th, 2023 - Golden Valley, MN
- Course 700 - Introduction to Property Management - February 21st - 22nd, 2023 - Golden Valley, MN
For more information on our upcoming education opportunities, visit our Chapter's Education Page or contact Chapter 20's Education Chair, Shawn Zepper.
Candidacies/Designations
- Brian Mielke – WSB – SR/WA Recertification
- Derick Teich – Dakota Electric – RWA Candidacy
NEW IRWA DESIGNATION PATHWAY
“Without change, there would be no butterflies.” – Maya Angelou. A revamped SR/WA designation pathway took flight in July 2022. Coursework requirements in all three levels Right of Way Agent (RWA), Right of Way Professional (RWP) and Senior Right of Way Professional (SR/WA) have increased to 272 total credit hours. The new look SR/WA pathway has been thoughtfully designed to help members acquire more advanced knowledge from several right of way discipline areas. Members currently pursuing RWA, RWP, SR/WA designations must take action by selecting one of two options:
- Stay on Current Industry-Specific Pathway: Members currently pursuing the RWA designation are required to complete and submit a Declaration of Industry-Specific Candidacy Form by December 31, 2022 to remain in your current industry-specific pathway. Members who have already obtained an RWA or RWP will not have to declare their candidacy. No fee will be charged for this initial declaration of candidacy. Members will have five years from December 31, 2022 to complete all the requirements for the industry-specific pathway.
- Migrate to New SR/WA Pathway: Members currently pursuing the RWA, RWP or SR/WA who would like to migrate to the new SR/WA pathway are required to complete and submit a Declaration of New SR/WA Pathway Candidacy Form and pay a $25 fee for RWA and RWP and a $50 fee for SR/WA.
Chapter 20 understands that additional coursework requirements means additional education costs to our members. A Scholarship Fund has been established to assist Chapter 20 Members with continuing education costs. If you are in need of financial assistance to help cover the rising costs of education, please contact Chapter 20 President Brian Mielke bmielke@wsbeng.com to submit a scholarship application. Look for the Chapter 20 Scholarship Application on the Chapter’s website in the coming weeks.
Declaration of Candidacy Forms can be submitted to Chapter 20 PDC Chair Sean Lawler at sean.w.lawler@xcelenergy.com. If you have any questions about the revamped SR/WA pathway or the Declaration of Candidacy Forms, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to helping you navigate the new and improved SR/WA pathway and achieve your credentialing goals.
CHAPTER 20 BLOG
Chapter 20's Blog was created to foster meaningful communication and sharing of information between our Executive Board, Committee Chairs, Chapter 20 Members, and all others who wish to participate. Please visit the Blog often as Committee Chairs and Executive Board Members post updates, news, and other relevant information pertaining to the Right of Way profession.