For those of you who may not know me, I am Matt Nusenow, P.E., your new Chapter 57 President. My first exposure to eminent domain was a valuation dispute of a property contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, an industrial chemical used in transformers for its electrical insulating properties. My investigation of the property revealed that the contamination was not from the property owner’s operations, but from a salvage company that removed a transformer after draining the PCBs onto the ground. As my career already included remediation of contaminated sites and preparing the costs to remediate contamination, assisting in the valuation of contaminated sites seemed like a good fit.

The 5th Annual Joint Appraisal Institute Meeting, originally scheduled for April 7, has been rescheduled to April 21, due to a conflict.  Our meetings are still being conducted virtually.  Meeting information will be sent to you a day or so prior to the meeting.

Our annual election of officers and related chapter business will be conducted at the April membership meeting.  It is important that you attend this meeting to ensure that we have a quorum for voting.

The International Committees have been busy hosting webinars that are designed as lunch-n-learn (aimed at 1 hour) opportunities for all IRWA members.  Most of the webinars have been at no cost.  They are informative and easy to fit into your day.  Likewise, many chapters are offering virtual chapter meetings that are open to all members free of charge.  It is interesting to sit in our other chapter meetings.  Broaden your horizons.  Give it a try!

The annual education conference scheduled for June in San Antonio (June 6-9) is plowing full steam ahead.  In keeping with pandemic cautions, the conference will be offered as a hybrid in-person/virtual event.  Visit the IRWA website for information and registration (or our website).  The program will include many education sessions that range from 1 to 1-1/2 hours, and IRWA continuing education units are credited automatically.

Peggy Barnes, President
951.826.8357
Peggy.barnes@bbklaw.com

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
​Welcome, Chapter 57 Members, to 2021.

Here are a few changes that have taken place in the past year and items of note:

This time last year, chapter members elected and installed officers for the coming 2020-21 fiscal year:  Ruby Arellano, President; Peggy Barnes, President-Elect; Matt Nusenow, Treasurer; and Robbie Hechanova, Secretary; Professional Development members Sheryn Smay, SR/WA (3rd year), Patricia Villa, SR/WA (2nd year) and Patti Zendejas-Feist, SR/WA (1st year); as well as International Directors Ruby Arellano and Peggy Barnes. Regrettably, Ruby Arellano resigned from her position as chapter president.  As president-elect, I moved into that slot.  Matt Nusenow stepped up to fill the void and is currently serving as Treasurer and acting President-Elect.

I am pleased to report that the board of directors has accomplished several important items, most notably the drafting and IRWA Legal Counsel’s approval of new chapter bylaws, which will be put to vote in April.  The new bylaws will bring Chapter 57 in line with HQ directives, including authorizing electronic voting which, if the bylaws are adopted, will be used for our elections later this spring.

Our first virtual meeting was held via Zoom in November.  Matt Nusenow presented a tutorial on the IRWA website and how to find information about the IRWA and other members; navigating the Member Network and how to create a group and how to join existing groups (e.g., International Transportation Committee; Young Professionals, etc.), all of which are available as part of your membership.

The IRWA has made significant progress in converting courses to a virtual format.  If you have not done so, please consider exploring IRWA’s online classes.  One- and two-day classes are the most popular; there are classes available for each discipline and career path.  If you are this close to getting a certification or your SR/WA designation, this may help you reach your goal.  (Ask Kelley Kelley, our newest SR/WA!)

The cancellation of the annual Tri-Chapter Event opened the opportunity for our Inaugural Holiday Bingo via Zoom.  Darcy Mendoza did a fabulous job of hosting.  Emily Madueno and Matt Nusenow worked the raffle.  It was a bunch of fun.

If you have not renewed your membership, please do it now.  Your membership offers (1) job postings (currently 140 right of way jobs are listed); (2) Member Network for virtual knowledge exchange, content sharing and professional networking; and (3) Split-payment option for IRWA dues. If you wish to break up your IRWA dues into two payments, contact Mariah Carrillo, Membership Services, at carrilo@irowaonline.org for more information.

The upcoming Region 1 Spring Forum will be held virtually again this year.  The forums are open to all members, free of charge.  Participating in a Regional meeting will give you a better understanding of how the IRWA is structured and how business is conducted beyond the chapter level.  If you are interested, please contact me for details.

The February 3 membership meeting will feature Kevin Blair and Marcus Pigrom of Desmond, Marcello & Amster, and Randall Blaesi of Curtis-Rosenthal, Inc.

Our 5th Annual Joint Appraisal meeting will be held via Zoom on April 7th.  Our speakers will be Brad Kuhn of Nossaman and Rob Caringella of Jones, Roach, and Caringella.

I am proud to be a member of Chapter 57.  The commitment of the board and Chapter 57 members to stay connected and power through this difficult time is a testament to our perseverance, resilience and friendship.

Questions or comments?  Reach out to any board member or me.
– Peggy Barnes, peggy.barnes@bbklaw.com