Electric utilities
10 right-of-way acquisition experts
These ten professionals have acquired land rights and easements, or led the teams that do, in in-house right-of-way and land acquisition roles at utilities and energy companies. A reader can learn how right-of-way acquisition is planned and carried out from inside the companies that need the land.
Professionals to explore
01—10Casey Kopitzke, J.D.
LinkedInExperience: Land and Right of Way Acquisition · We Energies
Land and Right of Way Acquisition at We Energies since 2023, where the profile describes a role responsible for directing land acquisition, right-of-way, easement and property-related activities supporting large-scale development and infrastructure projects. Former Site Acquisition at Nexius (2019–2021).
Chris Taliaferro
LinkedInExperience: Land Acquisition Supervisor · Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Land Acquisition Supervisor at Pacific Gas and Electric Company since 2023, and former Electrical Incident Investigator, Senior there (2021–2023). The profile says this person serves as a Supervisor with PG&E's Oakland Land Acquisition team, leading a team of Right of Way Agents who acquire land rights for PG&E projects.
Christina Klein
LinkedInExperience: Manager, Distribution Right of Way · National Grid
Manager, Distribution Right of Way at National Grid since 2022. Former Sr Supervisor Distribution Right of Way (2018–2022) and Transmission Right of Way Representative (2009–2018) at National Grid. The profile describes overseeing a team of 9 Distribution Right of Way Real Estate Representatives who secure easements associated with customer requests.
Christopher Bush
LinkedInExperience: Manager - Land Acquisition Services · NextEra Energy Resources
Former Manager - Land Acquisition Services at NextEra Energy Resources (2015–2022), Director of Land & Right of Way at Eagle Rock Energy Partners / Regency Energy Partners (2010–2015) and Right of Way Manager at Copano Energy Alumni (2008–2010). Former Land Manager at Woodside Energy (2025–2026).
Elizabeth Zelaya
LinkedInExperience: Land Acquisition Manager, Major Projects · Southern California Edison (SCE)
Land Acquisition Manager, Major Projects at Southern California Edison (SCE) since 2018, where the profile says this person manages a small team of employees, tracking performance and establishing goals. Former Land Acquisition Advisor, ECS Distribution (2016–2018) and Land Acquisition Advisor, Major Projects (2014–2016) at Southern California Edison (SCE), and Right of Way Agent at Southern California Edison at Edison International (2007–2014).
Jason C. Vest
LinkedInExperience: Right of Way Agent · CenterPoint Energy
Right of Way Agent at CenterPoint Energy since 2024, where the profile describes interpreting engineer and facility designs, preparing joint trench, blanket and defined easements, securing rights and surface site agreements, and acquiring rights for existing facilities. Former Sr. ROW Agent at Energy Access Solutions | Texana Energy, LLC (2020–2023).
Jim Malone
LinkedInExperience: Manager-Right of Way · Williams
Manager-Right of Way at Williams since 2015, where the profile says this person manages and directs all aspects and disciplines of ROW acquisition and O&M issues for infrastructure gathering systems, along with direct reports and contract personnel. Former Manager-Right of Way at Access Midstream (2012–2014) and Manager-Right of Way at Chesapeake Energy (2011–2012).
Luke Folsom
LinkedInExperience: Land Acquisition Supervisor · Georgia Power Company
Land Acquisition Supervisor at Georgia Power Company since 2025, a role the profile lists in the Real Estate department at manager level. Former Transmission Right-of-way Specialist at Georgia Power Company (2014–2022) and Transmission Line Designer at Southern Company (2022–2025).
Michael Churella
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Real Estate Specialist II (Right of Way) · Idaho Power
Sr. Real Estate Specialist II (Right of Way) at Idaho Power since 2004 and Land Management Leader (SRWA) at Idaho Power Company since 2019. The profile describes 15 years at Idaho Power directing the right of way process for large transmission line and delivery projects and managing multiple right of way consultants.
William Maudlin
LinkedInExperience: Director of Land Acquisition · Florida Power & Light
Director of Land Acquisition at Florida Power & Light since 2026, and former Project Director Corporate Real Estate (2022–2026) and Manager Land Services Acquisition (2022) there. Former Manager Land Services Acquisition (2019–2022) and Land Manager (2011–2018) at Gulf Power Company; the profile says this person worked in the Land Acquisition section of Corporate Real Estate at Alabama Power from 2004 to 2007.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's project type to yours, since acquiring rights for a long transmission line or pipeline differs from securing easements for routine distribution service requests. Also weigh whether you need someone who negotiated with landowners directly or someone who managed agents, contractors and budgets across a whole program.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide when to use in-house right-of-way agents and when to bring in contract land services firms?
- 02What usually causes delays in easement acquisition, and how do you keep a project schedule intact when landowners push back?
- 03How do you set compensation offers for easements and decide when a case should move toward condemnation?
Reaching right-of-way acquisition experts
How can I contact one of these right-of-way acquisition experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including We Energies, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and National Grid, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach right-of-way acquisition experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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