About Us
Who We Are
IRWA Chapter 12 is the Illinois chapter of the International Right of Way Association, proudly serving land acquisition professionals of Illinois since 1955.
Our members are land acquisition professionals who work in all facets of acquisition, management, and disposition or real property, and serve many sectors of industry and government, including:
Local, Regional, State, and National Government
Public Utilities
Energy
Commercial and Office Development
Transportation
Telecommunication
The land acquisition profession is an important one. The infrastructure associated with modern society: highways, airports, broadband fiber optic cables, skyscrapers, pipelines, all require real property.
Our History
On a vacation trip to California around 1955, Frank Kaplan, head of the Survey Division of the Cook County Highway Department, visited the California State Highway Department to investigate their operation. While there, he was introduced to Frank Balfour who was head of the California State Highway Right of Way Department and who had founded the Southern California Right of Way Agents Association in 1934. The organization evolved into the American Right of Way Association.
Upon returning, Kaplan discussed the meeting with Balfour and ARWA literature with Raymond J. Budinger, the head of the Land Procurement Division of the Cook County Highway Department who was Frank’s boss. Ray Budinger was interested. The first organizational meeting of Chapter 12 was held in Ray Budinger’s office on September 29, 1955. Fourteen men attended; all enthusiastically offered their services for any job. Budinger was elected President at a subsequent meeting. On October 31, 1955, the Charter meeting for Chapter 12 was held at the Bismark Hotel in Chicago. There were thirty-eight charter members and applicants. A year later the chapter had seventy-six names.
In 1957, the Third Annual Education Seminar was hosted by Chapter 12, and in 1968, the Fourteenth National Seminar was hosted by the Chapter at the LaSalle Hotel in Chicago. Chapter 12 has always stressed the educational needs of its members. In fact, Chapter 12 was one of the first chapters to present a course on “Negotiations” in 1966.
Today, IRWA Illinois Chapter 12 has approximately 160 members, and still strives to meet the educational needs of those members.
Past Presidents
Jen Enger
Patricia Bajt
Dan Olson
Don York
Laura Moonshower
Rob Kirkpatrick
Patricia Bajt
Smedmore Bernard
Bill McIntyre
Cassy Beary
Kris Koehler
Rachel Bricout
Laura Moonshower
Tim Fehr
Debra Leetzow
Andy Viola
Alice Johnson
Brad Krabel
Robin Upchurch
2025-2026
2024-2025
2023-2024
2022-2023
2021-2022
2020-2021
2019-2020
2018-2019
2017-2018
2016-2017
2015-2016
2014-2015
2013-2014
2012-2013
2011-2012
2010-2011
2009-2010
2008-2009
2007-2008
John Pribich
Gerald Cain
Carol Bellinger
Terry Mulcahy
Jeffrey Stenger
Rick Trelz
John Ammons
Dave Sommerfeld
Thomas Mahoney
Dave Sommerfeld
James Pauk
John Ammons
Donald Penn
James Tatera
C. David Ward
John Lay
Terry Mulcahy
Norman Lienemann
Bernard Boyle
2006-2007
2005-2006
2004-2005
2003-2004
2002-2003
2001-2002
2000-2001
1999-2000
1998-1999
1997-1998
1996-1997
1995-1996
1994-1995
1993-1994
1992-1993
1991-1992
1990-1991
1989-1990
1988-1989
Committees and Chairs
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Communications: Morgan Osman
Education: OPEN
Ethics: OPEN
Membership: OPEN
Nomination & Elections: OPEN
Professional Development: OPEN
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Asset Management: OPEN
Environment: OPEN
Legal/Legislative: John Ammons
Public Agency: OPEN
Oil & Gas Pipeline: OPEN
Relocation: Kim Polk
Surveying & Engineering: OPEN
Transportation: Dominic Diorio
Electric & Utilities: OPEN
Valuation: OPEN
Young Professionals: Zach Olson
Meet the Officers
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President
Dan Olson brings more than 25 years of land title research experience to infrastructure, transportation, utility, and right-of-way projects across Illinois. As Vice President of Title Research Operations at Wheatland, he leads researchers working in all 102 counties and helps resolve complex title matters.
A Chapter 12 member since 2019, Dan has served in every executive board role with Chapter 12, including president. He holds the ITP designation, completed the ILTA Leadership Academy, and has been an Illinois Land Title Association member since 2018.
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President-Elect
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SecretaryChris Clementi currently serves as a Project Manager and Field Researcher at Wheatland Title Company, where he has built a distinguished career spanning more than 20 years. Throughout his tenure, he has led research teams on a diverse range of right-of-way infrastructure projects across Illinois. His extensive industry experience has given him a strong understanding of right-of-way research, project coordination, and the unique requirements associated with infrastructure development. Chris joined the IRWA and Chapter 12 in 2025 and this year he is the acting Chapter 12 Board Secretary.
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Vice President
Rob Kirkpatrick has more than 27 years of experience in real estate operations, strategic planning, leadership, and process improvement. He currently serves as the Right of Way Section Manager at HDR, where he leads right of way professionals and project teams throughout the Midwest.
Prior to joining HDR, Rob spent 11 years with a large investor-owned utility, where he led right of way acquisition efforts for major electric transmission and natural gas transmission projects. His extensive experience includes project leadership, stakeholder engagement, land acquisition strategy, and team development.
An active member of the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) and Chapter 12 since 2012, Rob has held numerous leadership positions, including Chapter 12 President, Region 5 Vice Chair, and Region 5 Chair. In addition to serving as Chapter 12 Vice President, he is the Chair of the International Electric and Utilities Committee and a member of the International Finance Committee.
Rob is committed to advancing the right of way profession through leadership, mentorship, and active involvement in IRWA initiatives at the chapter, regional, and international levels.
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Treasurer
Mark Beyer worked in the civil engineering and land surveying field for 25 years before joining ERM, Inc. as a land agent in 2022, supporting gas and electric projects, including acquisition and ROW encroachment mitigation. After a brief delay, he joined IRWA Chapter 12 in January of 2024. He looks forward to meeting other members and getting involved.