In this episode of Elevated Access, Chad Hughes is joined by IRWA President Koby Godwin for a deep dive into his journey through the International Right of Way Association and the path that led him to his top leadership role. Koby’s career began in urban and regional planning with the Alberta government, then evolved into a passion for the right-of-way industry, association involvement, and professional development. Chad and Koby discuss his early exposure to IRWA meetings, the value of education, mentorship, and building long-term relationships across the profession.

Koby shares the personal and professional barriers he faced along the way, including overcoming a fear of public speaking, managing growing leadership responsibilities, and finding work-life balance while navigating career transitions. He reflects on the impact of volunteer service and how IRWA provided opportunities to stretch his skills beyond his day job in land acquisition, surplus property disposition, and infrastructure planning. Chad finds that Koby’s insights offer practical takeaways for right-of-way professionals and those looking to enter the profession.

Koby discusses his future top priorities as IRWA President, including strengthening mentorship programs, expanding industry partnerships, and elevating recognition of the SR/WA designation across North America. With IRWA membership growing and new education initiatives underway, he shares why now is a pivotal time for professionals to get involved and make the most of the association. This episode is packed with valuable perspective and actionable advice for those in the right-of-way profession or anyone wanting a behind-the-scenes look at how the IRWA operates.

“The way we work has changed. With people remote and disconnected, mentorship is harder. But that makes it even more important.” - Koby Godwin

About Koby Godwin:

Koby Godwin is the current International President of the International Right of Way Association, stepping into the role in June of 2025. The IRWA is a global, member-led organization of dedicated professionals within the right of way industry. The IRWA’s purpose has always been to improve people’s quality of life through infrastructure development. They provide invaluable connections and education through its network of over 8000 members across 15 countries. One of the main goals for his tenure as President is to increase awareness of the IRWA, it’s educational programs and improving member benefits.

He has been a member of the IRWA for 18 years and has been a part of leadership is his local chapter, region as well as being a conference co-chair for the 2018 conference in Edmonton. He decided to become more involved in leadership once he realized the global experience he could gain by becoming more involved in the association.

Koby Godwin has worked with Alberta Infrastructure for 19 years, starting as a Land Planning Technologist before moving into his current positions as a Property Agent with Acquisitions, Sales and Development disposing of surplus government land. In his position he has dealt with sale of small parcels of land to local landowners, to multimillion dollar dispositions to large corporations.

In the due diligence of surplus parcels, he works with various other government departments and reviews all aspects of the sale, including environment site assessments, appraisals, historical land use, encumbrances, easements as well as any other items that may relate to land use and rights. Prior to his time in Government, he worked as a drafting technologist doing land planning and engineering design for various engineering companies.

He was born and raised in the Edmonton area and has been married to his wife for almost 25 years and they have two children attending the University of Alberta. He graduated from the Urban and Regional Planning Drafting Technology program at NAIT in 1996. Outside of work and the IRWA he enjoys sketching, game design and playing board games, as well as playing hockey, curling and axe throwing.

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Chad Hughes | CEO, Entrepreneurial Leader, Author: website |linkedin

Koby Godwin |IRWA President: website | linkedin

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In this episode, Chad Hughes welcomes William Phelps, Land Specialist for Grid United, to the show to talk about his career and the right-of-way and land industry at large. William details the journey he took in different aspects of his career that led to his current position and the lessons he learned along the way. He highlights interpersonal skills and a more holistic approach to land acquisition as part of the joys of his profession, as he and Chad explore what it means to be in land for Grid United.

William identifies three key components in the work he does in the land industry. The first is money, the second is having a readable document that is fair and equitable for landowners, and the third is the placement of the linear structure through the land - does it work for the landowner? To ensure these components are all addressed, he recommends that anyone in the industry surround themselves with smart people and be adept at community alignment.

Chad and William discuss the specific details and requirements for electric transmission lines, making the country more efficient, renewable power sources, and the career opportunities that exist in the land industry. They discuss how social media plays into overall perceptions of the industry and even how Hollywood representations like the show Landman affect how people view things. William’s advice to anyone considering entering the industry is to be surrounded by smart people, be driven, and enjoy the challenges because it’s anything but boring.

“And I think the the approach that we have, that the community engagement is so, so critical to our success as right of way agencies, right of way managers and so forth, because it is so impactful when Farmer Jones or Rancher Jones goes to church and he's sitting beside the county commissioner, whom we met with two weeks ago, and he says, Hey, did you hear about this power line project? Yeah. And they say the same thing. They have the same story. That is so impactful. And it gives you, on the land side, it gives you so much credibility.” - William Phelps

About William Phelps:

As a Land Specialist, Bill Phelps oversees all land and right-of-way activities for Grid United, to ensure budget, process, and staffing fulfill the land needs for the company’s over 1,100 miles of acquisition across six states. With over 30 years of experience in managing land acquisition, permitting, survey work, and community relations support, Bill applies his deep understanding of landowner and project needs to all phases of project development. Having completed multiple linear projects without invoking eminent domain, Bill maintains an exceptional track record of success in upholding the fair and equitable treatment of all involved along the route, underpinned by his extensive field experience and communication skills.

Bill holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Animal Science/Pre-Vet) from the University of Kentucky.

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Chad Hughes | CEO, Entrepreneurial Leader, Author: website |linkedin

Bill Phelps |Land Specialist, Grid United: linkedin | website

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In this episode, Chad Hughes welcomes Matteo Villani, President of 3 Peaks Land & Engagement Inc, to the show to explore the regulatory environment in British Columbia and the complexity of navigating the Indigenous communities, the environmental and regulatory needs, and the agricultural land reserve restrictions in order to access land for oil and gas assets. Matteo takes us through his twenty year career in the industry and speaks from his experience working in BC.

With a landman father, Matteo was exposed to the industry early. The stories he heard from his father and father’s colleagues impressed upon him the idea of landmen as problem solvers which gave him a fascination with the industry. Out of university he secured an internship program at Shell Canada and started his career in a research team exploring northern Canada, the Beaufort Sea area. His career would then lead him to Enbridge Energy and finally to Crew Energy.

Matteo defines the layers of British Columbia’s regulatory system for Chad, starting with the Agricultural Land Reserve. An environmental report including soil examination, wildlife concerns, and even an archaeological assement, related to the Heritage Conservation Act, are all required. He explains the complexities of First Nations consultation as well. Matteo and Chad discuss the skills Matteo learned early in his career that assisted in working in BC, different regulation requirements in BC jurisdictions, and how to manage internal relationships within a company navigating a complex system. Matteo’s insight and advice are valuable and shed light on what is needed for a successful venture in BC land.

“I really could take some of the skills that I learned, particularly at, you know, the kitchen table and with communities across Canada. It's really honing in on that listening skill and making sure that you understand what the issues are and not assume what the issues are.” - Matteo Villani

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Chad Hughes | CEO, Entrepreneurial Leader, Author: website |linkedin

Matteo Villani | President of 3 Peaks Land & Engagement Inc: linkedin

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In this episode, Chad Hughes welcomes Ramiro Roel, Senior Manager of Development at Leeward Renewable Energy, to the show to discuss his current position in being a key part of getting site control for Leeward’s renewable developments across the US. They explore Ramiro’s upbringing and how the relationships built in his early career influenced his work journey. Ramiro talks about many aspects of renewable energy, his expertise, and some of the reasons he hears for people rejecting renewables.

Ramiro was born and bred in Texas and grew up around the oil and gas sector. He tells Chad about the relationships he formed in the early days working on his dad’s ranch that still inform some of his work today. He names some of the influential people who helped shape his early career in Field Services and the lessons learned then that he’s always followed.

Chad and Ramiro explore renewable energy at depth, from the false narratives that people believe about renewables to the specific work Ramiro does in his current position at Leeward Renewable Energy. He describes his process of listening to landowners and learning from their concerns so he can be transparent about what the process is about. Chad hears the guiding principles that have led Ramiro throughout his career and solicits advice from him for anyone looking to get into the land profession. The conversation highlights how relationships drive careers and the opportunities inherent in renewable resources.

“I want to try to get them to understand, to better have a situation as to where we're coming from. We're not the big bad wolf. We're trying to come in and actually create energy for those folks that absolutely need it, and so if there's something that we can do about it, then obviously that's something where we step in and explain and lay all our cards out on the table. This is why we're here. This is what I'm trying to do.” - Ramiro Roel

About Ramiro Roel:

With an extensive background in land management and real estate within the energy sector, Ramiro Roel’s focus centers on leveraging project planning, development and supervisory skills to advance renewable energy initiatives. Leading Greenfield development campaigns, his role is pivotal in expanding renewable energy projects through expert lease negotiations and strategic project planning. Ramiro’s recent tenures at Kinder Morgan, Inc., and Buckeye Partners have honed his expertise in lease negotiations and stakeholder management, ensuring smooth project progression and sustainable land use.

Ramiro’s team's efforts in focusing on alternative energy solutions reinforce a commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. Proficient in Spanish, he bridges communication gaps, fostering inclusive collaboration across diverse teams and international projects. At the core of his professional mission lies a dedication to optimizing land resources for the energy transition, with every successful negotiation reflecting this steadfast goal.

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Chad Hughes | CEO, Entrepreneurial Leader, Author: website |linkedin

Ramiro Roel |Sr. Manager Development, Leeward Renewable Energy: website | linkedin

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In this episode, Chad Hughes welcomes Kristina Hamernik, Energy Storage Development Manager at Innergex, to the show to talk about land access and stakeholder engagement from the developer perspective. Kristina talks about the personal experience she had living abroad that led her to study renewable energy. She shares her career journey since then, her philosophy, and how the technology being used to develop battery storage sites is changing.

It was the experience of living abroad in Krakow, Poland and developing allergic reactions to the smog while running that led Kristina to research clean air and into getting her Masters at Sciences Po in France. Her career has led her through Public Energy where shse was focused on diversifying energy mixes and fossil fuel dependant remote locations to her position with Innergex today. She tells Chad about her experiences working with land professionals and hearing landowner stories early on in her work.

Chad and Kristina dive into the very human element of land development projects, the company perspective of not just generating revenue but focusing on people and prosperity and ensuring a benefit to the planet, and what factors can cause land owners to back away from projects being discussed. Kristina also explains what battery energy storage looks like and her role in working to develop and expand the adoption and understanding of the advantages of energy storage. This episode highlights work in the renewable space and the vital importance of the human element of the land piece.

“... energy storage is moving fast, and it's exciting because it's moving quickly, which might be a cause for concern, but I have to say, this industry is so quick on adopting lessons learned. There are so many success cases. And then there are cases where there's definitely things to be taken for the future and adopting different measures. And I think principally everything is health and safety. That's the crux of it. But it's an industry where best practices are advancing so, so quickly because the lessons learned are being adopted and taken very seriously, which is really exciting. And then when you combine that with decreasing price trends because of increased demand, for example, these projects are commercially viable.” - Kristina Hamernik

About Kristina Hamernik:

While living abroad, a personal experience served as the catalyst for Kristina’s career change and dive into the energy industry. She is passionate about the opportunities for enhancing energy security while adopting clean energy solutions. Kristina has worked as a business and early-stage project developer for renewable energy solutions for remote regions and islanded diesel power grids and included work on projects for remote mining operations, Northern communities, post-natural disaster grid reconstruction and modular renewable solutions for military applications.

Kristina’s current role is Development Manager for Energy Storage at Innergex, where she is driven by the opportunities and benefits of wide-spread adoption of energy storage across Canada and internationally.

Based out of Montreal, Kristina is enjoys being active outdoors during all-seasons with a love for cross country and downhill skiing, hiking as well as regularly practicing kickboxing. She is currently training for her first triathlon.

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Chad Hughes | CEO, Entrepreneurial Leader, Author: website |linkedin

Kristina Hamernik |Energy Storage Development Manager, Innergex: website | linkedin

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In this episode, Chad Hughes talks with Sandra Dixon, Supervisor of Western Canada Gas at Enbridge and President of the Canadian Association of Land and Energy Professionals (CALEP). Sandra discusses how she came to her role in CALEP in 2019 and what it entails. The conversation looks at the scarcity of resources in terms of new people entering the land industry, how the roles and titles have changed, and the challenge of providing education and awareness about opportunities in the land profession.

Three areas of education are highlighted: awareness, recruitment, and training. Chad and Sandra address the specifics of all three and how CALEP is involved. Sandra addresses the need to change awareness of the industry by adjusting the perception of the roles as being just oil and gas-centric. She also discusses how much of the work is networking and face-to-face relationships, which are not where the younger generations have their strengths due to their greater online focus.

Chad and Sandra examine how potential recruits can come from people making career transitions, the types of former jobs that are a good base for heading into the land industry, the challenges around maintaining and creating higher education training for land professionals, and what people can expect to see from CALEP in the coming year. Sandra shines an insightful light on challenges and potential in the land industry and the role of CALEP within it.

“So yeah, there's definitely been a decline [in association enrollment] and we want to change that. But we have to make ourselves relevant. We have to have the education component put in play. And I would also suggest that we have to be piloting work programs, those types of aspects where we can get people some experience and exposure to what we're doing. I think that's super important.” - Sandra Dixon

About Sandra Dixon:

Sandra is an accomplished Land Management Professional and the Supervisor of the Lands & Right-of-Way Western Canada Operations Team at Enbridge. In her role, she is crucial in delivering leadership, mentorship, and support for land management activities across Western Canada, with specialized expertise in British Columbia land matters. With a strong background in land management, stakeholder engagement and regulatory affairs, Sandra excels in building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, landowners, government agencies and regulatory bodies.

At Enbridge, Sandra provides expert counsel, leadership, and support to her team of regional Land Agents, overseeing land management activities in Alberta and British Columbia to ensure operational success. She plays a pivotal role in advancing regional core projects and associated operational programs. Additionally, Sandra manages the annual development of community and stakeholder engagement plans and is instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of her operational areas. Her active involvement in planning and development of teams, as well as task groups, underscores her commitment to Enbridge's objectives.

Sandra has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to volunteering her time and engaging with industry initiatives. Beyond her role at Enbridge, she actively mentors and supports others, contributing to the ongoing exchange of knowledge and fostering professional development. As President of the Canadian Association of Land and Energy Professionals (CALEP), a non-profit professional association for Land Agents in Canada, Sandra plays a pivotal role in public and government relations. She is dedicated to establishing the highest professional and ethical standards for Land Agents, while also promoting education and training to set clear expectations for those who interact with stakeholders. Sandra’s leadership and contributions make her a distinguished figure in her field.

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Chad Hughes | CEO, Entrepreneurial Leader, Author: website |linkedin

Sandra Dixon |Enbridge / CALEP President: website | linkedin

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