Michael Grace
Mission,TX
Summary
Navy Veteran and experienced Land Professional with a demonstrated history of working in oil & gas industry, telecommunications, utilities and agriculture. Skilled in matters pertaining to pipeline right-of-way including stakeholder relations, landowner negotiations, environmental awareness, and construction. Focused Project Manager adept at planning, directing and maintaining continuous operations in Right of Way. Skilled at identifying or anticipating problems and providing solutions. A resourceful Project Manager with 18 years of expertise in organizing business operations. Utilizes experience in financial oversight and resource management to achieve smooth flow and project operations.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
ROW Project Manager
Percheron, LLC
10.2023 - Current
- Responsible for researching, negotiating and electing to purchase short- and long-term lease of land agreements and right of way for construction that meet the organization's goals.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
- Searches for and determines various land ownership interests, including, but not limited to, surface ownership of land and the locations of such owners. Identifies and provides details of all required construction permits and permit requirements and acquires permits as directed.
- Oversees all land-related legal issues, including transfers of titles and deeds, construction, mortgage concerns, and zoning.
- Responsible for resolutions and other legal forms related to land acquisitions.
- Prepares adequate daily activity reports and prepares special agent's reports relative to complex negotiations for easements, damage settlements, and/or permit acquisition.
- Perform internal and external due diligence to ensure accuracy and completeness of land rights or to identify and bring forward deficiencies requiring remedial action.
- Serve as liaison with landowner/tenant on ownership, easement rights, damage claims, and access issues.
- Effectively use established company and client policies, procedures, and processes to perform work. Review 3rd party development plans and relevant Right of way records (i.e. easements, permits, etc.) to determine any conflicts.
- Maintains up-to-date status with designated upper-level Right of way agent or project manager/supervisor to ensure the assignment is completed following the client's procedures.
ROW Project Manager
Actalent
04.2020 - 10.2023
- Responsible for the deliverables, processes, and completion of ROW projects.
- Oversees multiple ROW projects and manage the contract agents on the projects to ensure that all documentation (acquisition of land, land rights, licenses, leases, permits, and other documents necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of electric transmission and/or distribution lines), project schedules, project budgets, and project reporting is accurately performed.
- Handles negotiations with landowners, settle damage claims with property owners, research to determine present property ownership, and prepare documents (rights of entry, damage claims, contracts, easements, licenses, leases, permits, options to purchase, etc.), and develop cost estimates & project schedules for proposed TROW Projects.
Site Acquisition Manager
Nexius
01.2018 - 04.2020
- Conducted detailed site analyses to identify optimal locations for new facilities based on comprehensive criteria.
- Delivered high-quality presentations showcasing proposed developments at community meetings or regulatory hearings as needed.
- Improved stakeholder satisfaction by resolving conflicts related to land use or other concerns arising during the acquisition process.
- Obtain all municipal, county or state right of way approvals as required. Negotiate leases based on preferred RF networks and at a reduced cost for small cell sites.
- Understand current market lease rates in the South TX area and all lease terms and work with legal and carriers on business term approvals.
- Support project tracking and scheduling requirements and maintain all project information and documentation.
- Prepared thorough documentation for each acquired site, maintaining accurate records for future reference and analysis.
- Coordinated with zoning and permitting authorities to ensure timely approvals for site development projects.
- Streamlined site acquisition processes by implementing efficient strategies and reducing overall project timelines.
- Identified potential risks associated with proposed sites, devising mitigation strategies to minimize project impact.
- Managed a team of site acquisition specialists, providing guidance and mentorship to achieve successful outcomes.
- Negotiated favorable lease terms for new sites, ensuring cost-effective solutions to support company growth.
Manager of Land Acquisition
Wonderful Citrus
12.2013 - 11.2017
- Responsible for approximately 15,000 acres of property as well as production facilities.
- Identified acquisition opportunities through contacts with brokers, builders, bankers, landowners, engineers, planners, attorneys, municipal officials, and in-house contacts.
- Involved in engaging various municipalities within the territory, including researching approvals/permits, zoning, engineering, building costs, soils/geology, improvement plans and other relevant factors.
- Worked preparing financial and market analysis for parcels under consideration for purchase and liquidation.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
Senior Right of Way Agent
Englobal
06.2006 - 04.2013
- Searched public domain records and private databases to locate property ownership documentation.
- Collaborated with project engineering and facility construction personnel on transmission line routes to inform landowner negotiations.
- Analyzed data from engineering drawings, land surveys and environmental reports to draw conclusions on project impacts.
- Followed land acquisition and construction permitting schedules to facilitate on-time project completion.
- Researched public records, plotted pipeline route on tax maps using legal descriptions.
- Met with landowners and businesses about proposed gas pipeline project plans and issues, obtained survey permission for survey crews and negotiated acquisition of Right-of-Way easements as well as settlement of final damages.
- Maintained files of easements and other real estate documents and prepared completion reports to submit to records team for permanent record retention and prepared Weekly Survey Permission reports. Interpreted the appraisal for each parcel and or tract.
- Developed and maintained working relationships with government agencies related to the project. Worked closely with project manager, attorneys to ensure law implementation related to condemnation.
- Worked daily with inspectors, construction and environmental crews throughout the construction process to ensure all work meets or exceeds company and landowner standards.
Education
Master of Science - Project Management
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA08.2022
Skills
- Project Management
- Project Planning
- Project planning and development
- Project Scheduling
- Stakeholder Relations
- Permit processing
- Forecasting
- Project regulations
- Budget Preparation
- Risk Management
- Stakeholder Communications
- Schedule Management
Certification
- Right of Way Agent, Texas Real Estate Commission - Issued Nov 2022
Credential ID 33861
Additional Information
United States Navy Veteran
Active from 1989 thru 1997
Honorably Discharged
Served onboard USS Tecumseh SSBN 628 and USS Michigan SSBN 727
Timeline
ROW Project Manager
Percheron, LLC
10.2023 - Current
ROW Project Manager
Actalent
04.2020 - 10.2023
Site Acquisition Manager
Nexius
01.2018 - 04.2020
Manager of Land Acquisition
Wonderful Citrus
12.2013 - 11.2017
Senior Right of Way Agent
Englobal
06.2006 - 04.2013
Master of Science - Project Management
Liberty University