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 acquisition as part of the joys of his profession, as he and Chad explore what it means to be in land for Grid United.

William identifies three key components in the work he does in the land industry. The first is money, the second is having a readable document that is fair and equitable for landowners, and the third is the placement of the linear structure through the land - does it work for the landowner? To ensure these components are all addressed, he recommends that anyone in the industry surround themselves with smart people and be adept at community alignment.

Chad and William discuss the specific details and requirements for electric transmission lines, making the country more efficient, renewable power sources, and the career opportunities that exist in the land industry. They discuss how social media plays into overall perceptions of the industry and even how Hollywood representations like the show Landman affect how people view things. William’s advice to anyone considering entering the industry is to be surrounded by smart people, be driven, and enjoy the challenges because it’s anything but boring.

“And I think the the approach that we have, that the community engagement is so, so critical to our success as right of way agencies, right of way managers and so forth, because it is so impactful when Farmer Jones or Rancher Jones goes to church and he's sitting beside the county commissioner, whom we met with two weeks ago, and he says, Hey, did you hear about this power line project? Yeah. And they say the same thing. They have the same story. That is so impactful. And it gives you, on the land side, it gives you so much credibility.” - William Phelps

About William Phelps:

As a Land Specialist, Bill Phelps oversees all land and right-of-way activities for Grid United, to ensure budget, process, and staffing fulfill the land needs for the company’s over 1,100 miles of acquisition across six states. With over 30 years of experience in managing land acquisition, permitting, survey work, and community relations support, Bill applies his deep understanding of landowner and project needs to all phases of project development. Having completed multiple linear projects without invoking eminent domain, Bill maintains an exceptional track record of success in upholding the fair and equitable treatment of all involved along the route, underpinned by his extensive field experience and communication skills.

Bill holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Animal Science/Pre-Vet) from the University of Kentucky.

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Chad Hughes | CEO, Entrepreneurial Leader, Author: website |linkedin

Bill Phelps |Land Specialist, Grid United: linkedin | website

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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 year career in the industry and speaks from his experience working in BC.

With a landman father, Matteo was exposed to the industry early. The stories he heard from his father and father’s colleagues impressed upon him the idea of landmen as problem solvers which gave him a fascination with the industry. Out of university he secured an internship program at Shell Canada and started his career in a research team exploring northern Canada, the Beaufort Sea area. His career would then lead him to Enbridge Energy and finally to Crew Energy.

Matteo defines the layers of British Columbia’s regulatory system for Chad, starting with the Agricultural Land Reserve. An environmental report including soil examination, wildlife concerns, and even an archaeological assement, related to the Heritage Conservation Act, are all required. He explains the complexities of First Nations consultation as well. Matteo and Chad discuss the skills Matteo learned early in his career that assisted in working in BC, different regulation requirements in BC jurisdictions, and how to manage internal relationships within a company navigating a complex system. Matteo’s insight and advice are valuable and shed light on what is needed for a successful venture in BC land.

“I really could take some of the skills that I learned, particularly at, you know, the kitchen table and with communities across Canada. It's really honing in on that listening skill and making sure that you understand what the issues are and not assume what the issues are.” - Matteo Villani

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Chad Hughes | CEO, Entrepreneurial Leader, Author: website |linkedin

Matteo Villani | President of 3 Peaks Land & Engagement Inc: linkedin

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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 renewable energy, his expertise, and some of the reasons he hears for people rejecting renewables.

Ramiro was born and bred in Texas and grew up around the oil and gas sector. He tells Chad about the relationships he formed in the early days working on his dad’s ranch that still inform some of his work today. He names some of the influential people who helped shape his early career in Field Services and the lessons learned then that he’s always followed.

Chad and Ramiro explore renewable energy at depth, from the false narratives that people believe about renewables to the specific work Ramiro does in his current position at Leeward Renewable Energy. He describes his process of listening to landowners and learning from their concerns so he can be transparent about what the process is about. Chad hears the guiding principles that have led Ramiro throughout his career and solicits advice from him for anyone looking to get into the land profession. The conversation highlights how relationships drive careers and the opportunities inherent in renewable resources.

“I want to try to get them to understand, to better have a situation as to where we're coming from. We're not the big bad wolf. We're trying to come in and actually create energy for those folks that absolutely need it, and so if there's something that we can do about it, then obviously that's something where we step in and explain and lay all our cards out on the table. This is why we're here. This is what I'm trying to do.” - Ramiro Roel

About Ramiro Roel:

With an extensive background in land management and real estate within the energy sector, Ramiro Roel’s focus centers on leveraging project planning, development and supervisory skills to advance renewable energy initiatives. Leading Greenfield development campaigns, his role is pivotal in expanding renewable energy projects through expert lease negotiations and strategic project planning. Ramiro’s recent tenures at Kinder Morgan, Inc., and Buckeye Partners have honed his expertise in lease negotiations and stakeholder management, ensuring smooth project progression and sustainable land use.

Ramiro’s team's efforts in focusing on alternative energy solutions reinforce a commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. Proficient in Spanish, he bridges communication gaps, fostering inclusive collaboration across diverse teams and international projects. At the core of his professional mission lies a dedication to optimizing land resources for the energy transition, with every successful negotiation reflecting this steadfast goal.

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Chad Hughes | CEO, Entrepreneurial Leader, Author: website |linkedin

Ramiro Roel |Sr. Manager Development, Leeward Renewable Energy: website | linkedin

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