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UPCOMING MEETING Date: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM—Board Meeng 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM—Lunch 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM—Member Meeng Sponsor: HDR, WSB, SRF, Ulteig, Integra Realty Resources and KLJ Locaon: Canal Park Brewery 300 Canal Park Drive Duluth, MN 55802 MARCH MEETING TOPIC: ENBRIDGE IN MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN SPEAKER: JOHN MCKAY, SR/WA Enbridge representaves will speak on behalf of the company; discussing Enbridge as a whole and specifically looking at projects within Minnesota and Wisconsin. Various right of way related components will be discussed as they pertain to projects on a day-to-day basis. For more informaon or to register, click here. JANUARY MEETING RECAP: Our guest speaker, Phil Barnes, gave an engaging and informave presentaon on conflict management, a topic that all people involved in the right of way field can relate to. He talked about the issues that can stall projects, how different people perceive situaons and engage others, and methods of resolving conflicts. The five methods of resolving conflict are: Compete, Collaborate, Compromise, Avoid, and Accommodate – with all of these methods being valid approaches to resoluon in different situaons. Thank You to WSB & Associates for hosng and sponsoring the meeng, Ptacek’s Catering Services for a providing a great lunch, Phil Barnes as our guest speaker, and to all 55 meeng aendees. We look forward to another good turnout at our March Board and Member Meeng; which will be held in Duluth, MN. PLATINUM Meet the Execuve Board Officer photos & biographies Commiee Chairs & Members Email your quesons to: Director: Michelle MacMillan President: Andrew Girga President Elect: Mindy Leadholm Treasurer: Ben Barker Secretary: Brian Mielke
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NORTH STAR NEWS – DECEMBER 2015
UPCOMING MEETING
Date: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM—Board Meeting 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM—Lunch 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM—Member Meeting Sponsor: HDR, WSB, SRF, Ulteig, Integra Realty Resources and KLJ Location: Canal Park Brewery 300 Canal Park Drive Duluth, MN 55802
MARCH MEETING TOPIC:
ENBRIDGE IN MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN
SPEAKER: JOHN MCKAY, SR/WA
Enbridge representatives will speak on behalf of the company; discussing Enbridge as a whole and specifically looking at projects within Minnesota and Wisconsin. Various right of way related components will be discussed as they pertain to projects on a day-to-day basis.
For more information or to register, click here.
JANUARY MEETING RECAP:
Our guest speaker, Phil Barnes, gave an engaging and informative presentation on conflict management, a topic that all people involved in the right of way field can relate to. He talked about the issues that can stall projects, how different people perceive situations and engage others, and methods of resolving conflicts. The five methods of resolving conflict are: Compete, Collaborate, Compromise, Avoid, and Accommodate – with all of these methods being valid approaches to resolution in different situations.
Thank You to WSB & Associates for hosting and sponsoring the meeting, Ptacek’s Catering Services for a providing a great lunch, Phil Barnes as our guest speaker, and to all 55 meeting attendees. We look forward to another good turnout at our March Board and Member Meeting; which will be held in Duluth, MN.
PLATINUM
Meet the Executive Board
Officer photos & biographies Committee Chairs & Members
Email your questions to:
Director: Michelle MacMillan President: Andrew Girga
President Elect: Mindy Leadholm Treasurer: Ben Barker
Secretary: Brian Mielke
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK:
NORTH STAR NEWS
February 2017
Newsletter Editor: Brent Rolf [email protected]
GOLD
February TIDBIT
Last week I was traveling back from lower Michigan and it seemed like I traveled through 4 different weather patterns. One hour, it seemed like Spring with the sun out melting away any remaining snow. Quickly the weather changed to almost blizzard conditions for an hour and a half. As I continued driving, I seemed to exit the snow which turned to a dense fog. Roughly an hour later, the sun came out again. While driving through these different weather patterns, I couldn’t help but notice most of the other traffic driving without their headlights on. Most of the vehicles today have automatic headlights to provide convenience to the drivers. For safety, please do not rely on these and make sure your headlights are on at all times while driving. When passing through weather patterns, your vehicles sensors may not trigger your lights on until it is too late. We want to be able to see while driving, and we want other vehicles to see us as well.
I would like to thank WSB & Associates for hosting and sponsoring our January
Meeting and Luncheon. Guest speaker Phil Barnes – Business Services Manager at WSB gave a great presentation on Conflict Management. As Phil described, each party impacted by a project may have multiple interests that may align or compete with your project. It is important to understand conflict theory and use different concepts and strategies in order to be successful in any project. Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 29th at Canal Park Brewery in Duluth, MN sponsored by all of our 2016-2017 Sponsors. We will have more information coming out soon regarding our guest speaker and we are looking forward to welcoming you to Duluth. To register for the March meeting, please visit Chapter 20’s website http://irwa20.org/. Also, check out Chapter 20’s website for Education/Class opportunities. A quick reminder that the Region 3 Spring Forum is quickly approaching, March 14 – 17 in Deadwood, SD. For a link and more information, check out Chapter 20’s website, above. For those of you looking to attend the 63rd Annual International Education Conference in Anchorage, AK, save your employer and/or yourself $100 and register by March 11, 2017. Registration goes up soon so don’t wait to register late. Please visit https://www.irwaonline.org/ and click on the link in the bottom right corner for more information.
With the season hopefully changing to Spring soon, make sure to check your vehicles for any needed maintenance. More importantly, spend time with your families and loved ones. I look forward to seeing you in Duluth at the end of the month!! Andy Girga 2016 - 2017 Chapter President
Rollerblades were the first
commercially successful in-line
Roller Skates. Minnesota students
Scott and Brennan Olson invented
them in 1980, when they were
looking for a way to practice
Hockey during the off-season.
Their design was an ice hockey
boot with 3 inline wheels instead
of a blade.
NORTH STAR NEWS
February 2017
Newsletter Editor: Brent Rolf [email protected]
Congratulations to Chapter 20’s 2016 Award Winners; all who have shown a great deal of effort, dedication, innovation,
support, and experience to and for Chapter 20. On behalf of our membership and Board of Directors, congratulations!
Thank you for your dedication to the Chapter; and we look forward to the future with you as an important part of it.
Awards were presented to the following:
2016 Professional of the Year: Ben Barker
2016 Young Professional of the Year: Ben Tozer
2016 Employer of the Year: HDR
Chapter 20 Transportation Report – submitted by Penny Rolf, WSB & Associates
NORTH STAR NEWS
February 2017
Newsletter Editor: Brent Rolf [email protected]
Over the last few months, the transportation committee has been busy organizing a 1 day “Transportation Symposium” that will be held in Park City, Utah with the topic being “The Vision of Transportation – “planes, Trains and Automobiles – the Next Generation”. If you are interested, please see the flyer posted on the Region 3 website: http://www.irwaregion3.com
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Brian Mielke, Chapter 20 Secretary (KLJ)
1. What is your favorite childhood memory?
My Dad being so tired he could hardly stay awake but still hitting balls for me
to catch and then pitching to me after chores.
2. What is your favorite childhood injury?
A hay bale hook I swung into my knee that somehow missed everything.
(Think the butcher’s meat hook from Rocky.) I was stacking and the wagon
hit a bump when I swung for the bale.
3. If your house was on fire and you could bring three things, what would
they be?
Family, Personal Laptop, Wallet
4. If you had one day left to live, how do you spend it?
Wake up early with my wife, quick cup of coffee, chat with Dad and then
Mom on the way to fishing with my kids, throw the ball for the dog while
eating shore lunch, shoot an 8 point or larger buck at dusk, eat a blue cheese
venison steak and fall asleep with my wife. Couldn’t be a much better day
than that.
NORTH STAR NEWS
February 2017
Newsletter Editor: Brent Rolf [email protected]
RECENT CANDIDACIES/DESIGNATIONS
2016-December
Certifications:
RAC: Craig Poorker (Re-Certification)
2017-February
Certifications:
RWP: Jill Unterberger
Upcoming Educational Opportunities
August 2017
Course 701: Property/Asset Management: Leasing
August 29-30, 2017
Check out the IRWA Chapter 20 Education Page
Chapter 20 Membership Report – submitted by Penny Rolf, WSB & Associates
In 2016, Chapter 20 added 15 new members to our roster. This matches what we did in 2015 and I wanted to thank our members for promoting membership to others they know in
the right of way industry. Thanks also to the many employers who see the value in the IRWA and recommend that their new staff become members.
As a member of Chapter 20, if you have any new employees in your company or any people affiliated with the right of way industry that you know of, please ask them to join or if they
aren’t sure about joining, invite them as a guest to a meeting and THEN ask them to join.
We had added four new members since the first of the year and have three pending memberships which is a great start to this year. Attached are short bios and pictures (if
submitted) for you to read so when you see these new members at upcoming meetings, you will know a little bit about them.
Daniel Bissonnette, HDR, Inc. (Pictured Right)—I am brand new to ROW I have been at HDR since the end of September after having 4 years in online marketing. I have
been helping out with a few projects and getting some training done over the last 4 months. In January I received my real estate license. A fun fact about my self is
that I also coach high school baseball.
Adam Crocker, Koch Pipeline Company (Pictured Right) –Having worked in the pipeline operations field, right of way and training, now back into Right of Way as an
agent for Koch Pipeline Co. LP., I am re-joining a great team of leaders themselves, who work in the background to help keep the company safe, profitable, and within
regulation while striving to enhance the relationships with Koch landowners and stakeholders. After over twenty years in the military with six in the Airborne Infantry
and eighteen in Civil Engineering with the Corps of Engineers, my family and I have been all over the United States and I have multiple deployments all over the world
working on roadways, highways, airfields and drilling water wells, as well as humanitarian efforts.
Jane Heins, Hennepin County (Pictured Right) – I have been in ROW for
approximately 10 years, 8.5 with Hennepin County and 1.5 with Metropolitan Council. Currently I am a Land Acquisition Agent with Hennepin County. I love our staff, line of business and working with the public. Fun fact, I come from a circus family on my mom's side and would perform on occasion (elephants are my personal favorite).
Michael Yeager, Hennepin County (Pictured Right) – My name is Michael Yeager. In
2009, I graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Studies. After graduating, I worked for Rels Valuation, an appraisal management company. In 2012, I accepted a position at Hennepin County doing property management and land disposition. From early 2014 to present-day, I have been acquiring right of way for Hennepin County transportation projects as a Land Acquisition Agent. Fun fact: I dabbled in day trading in the stock market during my first year in college. I bought and sold about $90,000 of stocks! However, my taxes were a mess and I ended with a loss of about $3,000.
Chapter 20 is at an 88.88% member retention rate as of Feb. 14th and we need 90% membership
renewals to get one free conference registration to the 2017 International Conference in Alaska. To
get to that 90% renewal rate, we will need 3 more members to renew for 2017. Members of the
Chapter 20 board are calling the members who have not yet renewed and we hope to be able to get to
that 90% goal.
As part of the e-mail renewal reminders, we found that there were incorrect e-mails at IRWA
Headquarters for several of our members which kept the renewal invoices and reminders from
reaching them. If you haven’t received a renewal invoice at all, please contact me and I’ll assist you in
getting this information corrected at headquarters.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 763-231-4868 or [email protected].
NORTH STAR NEWS
February 2017
Newsletter Editor: Brent Rolf [email protected]
