About Us

About Us

RWIEF History

In June of 1976, the American Right of Way Association (ARWA), predecessor of the International Right of Way Association (IRWA), elected to adopt a separate, non-profit corporation known as the Right of Way International Education Foundation (RWIEF). The Foundation’s purpose was to raise, grow, and manage funding for education courses, professional development programs, scholarships, and awards to Association members, as well as provide grants for studies on important issues affecting the right of way profession. In its first year, the Foundation was tasked with funds management and expansion of three scholarships bestowed by the Association; the Frank C. Balfour Scholarship, the Mark A. Green Award, and the Gene L. Land Award.

A sea change in the scope of right of way work began in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Right of way agents had been expected to be a jack of all trades – appraisal, negotiations, engineering, title research, relocation, and property management. The knowledge base of these agents tended to be extensive but vague. Industry trends began moving toward more specialized agents with specific training and expert knowledge in one field. The Association responded by providing better access to education, increased training options, and specialized education staff to develop and coordinate course offerings. Members could now have more advanced training that went beyond the basic principles. All of this would take secure funding at the time, and into the future, making the Foundation a critical partner for education.

RWIEF History

In June of 1976, the American Right of Way Association (ARWA), predecessor of the International Right of Way Association (IRWA), elected to adopt a separate, non-profit corporation known as the Right of Way International Education Foundation (RWIEF). The Foundation’s purpose was to raise, grow, and manage funding for education courses, professional development programs, scholarships, and awards to Association members, as well as provide grants for studies on important issues affecting the right of way profession. In its first year, the Foundation was tasked with funds management and expansion of three scholarships bestowed by the Association; the Frank C. Balfour Scholarship, the Mark A. Green Award, and the Gene L. Land Award.

A sea change in the scope of right of way work began in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Right of way agents had been expected to be a jack of all trades – appraisal, negotiations, engineering, title research, relocation, and property management. The knowledge base of these agents tended to be extensive but vague. Industry trends began moving toward more specialized agents with specific training and expert knowledge in one field. The Association responded by providing better access to education, increased training options, and specialized education staff to develop and coordinate course offerings. Members could now have more advanced training that went beyond the basic principles. All of this would take secure funding at the time, and into the future, making the Foundation a critical partner for education.

What is RWIEF?

Billions of dollars are spent annually in the acquisition, management, and transfer of rights of way. Specialized education and training are essential with the technical skills required in this field. To ensure right of way professionals maintain the highest standards of competency, new courses and training must keep pace with the evolving marketplace.

The Right of Way International Education Foundation (RWIEF) is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation. Classified as a public charity under the IRS Code in 1978, all contributions made to the Foundation are tax deductible. A separate entity from the IRWA, RWIEF acts as a fund-raising partner for right of way education. Association staff, through input from their members, develop and manage education programing, while the Foundation provides funding for education programs and industry scholarships.

RWIEF Officers


President
Leslie Finnigan,
SR/WA

Vice President, Western Region
Universal Field Services
PO Box 2354 Salem, OR 97308
Toll-Free: (877) 501-7282
O: (503) 399-8002
C:  (503) 709-1916
lfinnigan@ufsrw.com
BIO


Vice President
Lara T. Bailey SR/WA, R/W-NAC

M&N Operating Co. (Enbridge)
547 Lincoln Street
Richmond, ME 04357
O: (207) 737-8249
lara.bailey@enbridge.com
BIO


Treasurer
Matt L McGee, SR/WA

Energy Transfer
19003 IH – 10 West
San Antonio, TX  78257
C: (210) 918-2245
rwief.treasurer@gmail.com
BIO


Assistant Treasurer
Ron Barker, SR/WA

5121 East CR 1100 North
Roachdale, Indiana 46172
C: (317) 313-5557
ronbarker09@gmail.com
BIO


Secretary
Kasy E. Baldauf, SR/WA

Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP
3011 Pasadena Freeway, Suite 190
Pasadena, TX 77503
O: (830) 570-4181
kasy.baldauf@airliquide.com
BIO

RWIEF  Trustees


Trustee
Gina Anthony, SR/WA

Diversified Property Services, Inc.
20 E. Timonium Road, Suite 111
Timonium, Maryland 21093
C: (443) 377-0135
O: (410) 252-5075 ext 1021
GAnthony@dpsinc.name
BIO


Trustee
Angel Banks, SR/WA

2028 Riverside Drive
Asheville, NC 28804
C: (828) 768-0233
angeleebanks@gmail.com
BIO


Trustee
Callie Braddock, R/W-AC

CBRE
2800 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 500
Houston, TX  77058
C: (512) 589-8906
callie.howard@cbre.com
BIO


Trustee
Clyde B. Johnson, SR/WA,
R/W -URAC, R/W – RAC

Consultant
515 Wellspring Ct.
Alpharetta, GA 30004
C: (678) 350-3675
clydebjohnson@comcast.net
BIO


Trustee
Jennifer C Kriner, SR/WA

Croft and Associates LLC
4711 Trousdale Dr., Suite 121
Nashville, TN  37220
O: (615) 678-5674
jkriner@croftandassociates.net
BIO


Trustee
Patrick McCallister, SR/WA, R/W-NAC

WSP USA, Inc.
115 W. Washington Street
Suite 1270S
Indianapolis, IN, 46204
BIO


Trustee
Tiara McCray, R/WA-GN

Montgomery County DOT
100 Edison Park Dr
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
C: (410) 212-2931.
McCray.Tiara@gmail.com
BIO


Trustee
Michael Pattison, SR/WA

Pattison & Associates, Inc.
2378 Maritime Dr, Suite 110
Elk Grove, CA  95758
O: (916) 714-3010
mike@pattisonappraisals.com
BIO


Trustee
David W. Sinclair, SR/WA

Paragon Partners, Ltd.
22216 Mallards Cove Court
Bullard, TX 75757
C: (713) 582-5697
david.sinclair@paragon-partners.com
BIO


Trustee
Amanda Vande Voorde, SR/WA

GrantWorks
900 Eisenhower Road, Unit 1
Hiawatha, IA 52233
3002 Forrest Meadow Lane
Bullard, TX 75757Hiawatha, IA 52233
C: (319) 929-3568
amanda.vande.voorde@grantworks.net

BIO


Trustee
Kevin Winner, SR/WA

1116 Bona Terra Place, NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
C: (505) 239-6505
kevin@winnermanagement.net
BIO

RWIEF Ex-Officio


Ex-Officio
Joseph (Joe) B. Neighbors, SR/WA

1030 Forrest Hills Drive
Bogart, GA  30622
C: (404) 408-9329
jbneighb@bellsouth.net
BIO