Elevated Access | The Inside Story

In this episode of Elevated Access, host Chad Hughes sits down with Ron Vermeulen, founder of LandSolutions, to explore how a career in the right of way and land profession can shape skills that extend far beyond the industry. Ron shares his journey from early days in surveying to enrolling in the land agent program at Olds College, and eventually building a career across major organizations, incl...

In this episode of Elevated Access, host Chad Hughes is joined by Jake Farrell of Omaha Public Power District and Mindy Leadholm of Washington County Public Works to preview the upcoming International Right of Way Association International Education Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. As conference co-chairs, Jake and Mindy share their professional journeys into the Right of Way industry, highlighting...

In this special mini episode of Elevated Access, host Chad Hughes welcomes Blandon Granger, Chair of the International Electric and Utility Committee, along with Gina Cannova and Taylor Doyle, to spotlight the upcoming IEUC Symposium taking place April 9, 2026, in New Orleans. The conversation centers on the mission of the International Electric and Utility Committee within the International Right...

In this episode of Elevated Access , host Chad Hughes sits down with industry leader Brett Farner to explore the amazing and varied opportunities in the right of way and utility real estate profession. With a 17-year career spanning Ameren, Invenergy, and now a new leadership role at Toth & Associates, Brett shares a deeply insightful journey through utility infrastructure, electric transmission d...

In this episode of Elevated Access , Chad Hughes is joined by IRWA President Koby Godwin for a deep dive into his journey through the International Right of Way Association and the path that led him to his top leadership role. Koby’s career began in urban and regional planning with the Alberta government, then evolved into a passion for the right-of-way industry, association involvement, and profe...

In this episode, Chad Hughes is joined by Tara Green, a Real Estate Specialist with Ameren Corporation, to discuss the innovative approaches she introduced to Ameren for engaging with landowners. Tara’s experience has taught her strategies, effective communication, and the importance of consistency in messaging and teammates. She shares sound advice and is very encouraging to those who may have an...

In this episode, Chad Hughes welcomes William Phelps, Land Specialist for Grid United, to the show to talk about his career and the right-of-way and land industry at large. William details the journey he took in different aspects of his career that led to his current position and the lessons he learned along the way. He highlights interpersonal skills and a more holistic approach to land acquisiti...

In this episode, Chad Hughes welcomes Matteo Villani, President of 3 Peaks Land & Engagement Inc, to the show to explore the regulatory environment in British Columbia and the complexity of navigating the Indigenous communities, the environmental and regulatory needs, and the agricultural land reserve restrictions in order to access land for oil and gas assets. Matteo takes us through his twenty y...

In this episode, Chad Hughes welcomes Ramiro Roel, Senior Manager of Development at Leeward Renewable Energy, to the show to discuss his current position in being a key part of getting site control for Leeward’s renewable developments across the US. They explore Ramiro’s upbringing and how the relationships built in his early career influenced his work journey. Ramiro talks about many aspects of r...

In this episode, Chad Hughes welcomes Kristina Hamernik, Energy Storage Development Manager at Innergex, to the show to talk about land access and stakeholder engagement from the developer perspective. Kristina talks about the personal experience she had living abroad that led her to study renewable energy. She shares her career journey since then, her philosophy, and how the technology being used...

In this episode, Chad Hughes talks with Sandra Dixon, Supervisor of Western Canada Gas at Enbridge and President of the Canadian Association of Land and Energy Professionals (CALEP). Sandra discusses how she came to her role in CALEP in 2019 and what it entails. The conversation looks at the scarcity of resources in terms of new people entering the land industry, how the roles and titles have chan...

Chad Hughes welcomes Andrew Fulford, Surface Land Manager of Birchcliff Energy, to the show to talk about Birchcliff’s unique culture and his thirty-plus-year career. Andrew, who got into the industry by going to Olds College in what was then called the Land Agent Program, got offered his role at Birchcliff twelve years ago, and he reflects on changes in his career and the industry while offering...

Chad Hughes invites James Thurston, a longtime friend and experienced land agent, to the show to discuss insights on their generation and its alignment with the industry. James Thurston reflects on his journey, emphasizing the importance of networking and building relationships during his time in the land agent program. He shares how chance and curiosity led him to the field, working on the Allian...

Host Chad Hughes welcomes Blandon Granger, Supervisor of Real Estate Services for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), to the show. Blandon has been in the energy industry at SMUD for the past seventeen years and supervises asset management and complex acquisitions. He talks with Chad about the impacts of EV charging and urban development on his role.  Blandon explains that SMUD has a...

Host Chad Hughes welcomes Jennifer Tidmarsh, Vice President of Indigenous Relations & Partnerships with Ontario Power Generation, to the show. Jennifer talks about the development of small modular reactors in the nuclear space and the challenges surrounding presenting those solutions to the community. Jennifer explains some of the public perceptions around nuclear power that have been shaped by ev...

Host Chad Hughes welcomes Pablo Gutiérrez, Managing Director of O’Gorman&Hagerman professional services firm, to the show to talk about what it’s like to acquire land access and engage with the public in Mexico. O’Gorman&Hagerman started in corporate law but moved to provide agrarian services which is where they now specialize.  Pablo explains that Mexico has public and private property, just like...

Host Chad Hughes welcomes Robert McCallum, President of McCallum Environmental, to the show. Robert has been working in the environmental consulting industry for over 25 years and he specifically brings his experience in working across varied Canadian provincial jurisdictions to the conversation. Robert is a professional biologist registered in Alberta and though he started his career in oil and g...

Chad Hughes is joined by Senior Real Estate Infrastructure Advisor Gordon MacNair. Gordon has spent time with the RWA and worked across more than six countries. He shares advice along with the similarities and differences between the jurisdictions. Gordon worked in the BC Ministry of Highways and later for Ontario Hydro, among other companies in his career, which has given him great experience in...

Chad Hughes is joined by Tim Robillard, Vice-Presisdent of Engagement & Operations for Communica Public Affairs, to discuss the energy transition. Tim draws from his background and experience to talk about how the energy transition may create new interests or concerns for stakeholders in the future. Tim has been in the energy industry in various roles for over 25 years. He got his start in peer me...

Chad Hughes welcomes Jeff Burke - Environment, Land and Emissions Governance for TC Energy - to the show to talk about non-technical risk across jurisdictions. Jeff addresses common challenges that can be expected whether you’re in Canada, the US, or Mexico, and shares great advice for land access professionals. Jeff started out in construction and maintenance projects for a Canadian national rail...

Jon Lovink, Western Canada’s most experienced media coach, joins Chad Hughes on the show to talk about trust and the media. Jon has a program called CRED which is effective for building trust in scenarios from one-on-one conversations to crisis or media. He gets into details with Chad. Jon describes how he started in news, first as a reporter and eventually as a senior producer for CBC News, which...

Chad Hughes welcomes Charles Neustaedter, the Realty Section Manager at the City of Surrey in BC, to the show to discuss negotiations. Their conversation covers different types of negotiating as well as the importance of preparation in determining the right approach to use.  When Charles started at the City of Surrey in 1993, things were very different. He has seen a lot of growth in both the city...

Chad Hughes welcomes Eric Barnett, Director of Development for Vistra Corp, to the show to discuss A&D activity in the renewable space as well as evaluating and mitigating risk. Eric has a long career in land and much to share with access professionals and developers alike.  Eric explains how his current role involves assessing how to repurpose real estate owned by the company. They are focused on...

Chad Hughes welcomes Mark Bradley, Principal Owner of Marram Consulting Ltd and Team Lead at Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc, to the show to discuss “the quiet coexistence between pipeline operators and the public”. Mark shares from his wealth of experience in building post-construction relationships.  Mark’s education is in urban and regional planning, a bit of an untraditional background for someon...

Chad Hughes welcomes Andrea Carolan, Managing Director of Public Private Property in Adelaide, Australia, to the show for insight into challenges in her sector. Andrea talks about her career in valuation and sheds light on what approaches are different between urban and rural appraisal. Following her father into valuation, Andrea identifies as a second generation valuer. She still uses things she...