Right of Way - January/February2019

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia • Master's degree in Business Administration from Webster University in Saint Louis • Achieved SR/WA Designation in 2015

Employment

• Real Estate Supervisor at Ameren Services Company, 2013-Present • Senior Real Estate Agent at Ameren Services Company, 2012-2013

• Senior Real Estate Representative at Ameren Services Company,

2011-2012

• Real Estate Representative at Ameren Services Company, 2008-2011

IRWA Activities

• Chapter 37 International Director, 2012-2014

• Chapter 37 President, 2012-2013

• Chapter 37 President-Elect, 2011-2012

• Chapter 37 Second Vice President, 2010-2011

• Chapter 37 Communication Committee Chair, 2010-2011

• International Nominations and Elections Committee (INEC)

Region 3 Representative, 2015- 2016

• Region 3 Young Professionals Committee Chair, 2015-2016

• Region 3 Young Professionals Committee, 2014-2018

• Young Professionals Group Region 3 Representative, 2015-2016

• International Electric and Utilities Committee Member,

2014-Present • Young Professionals Task Force, 2013-2015

• IRWA Young Professional of the Year Award Winner, 2012

Other

• Right of Way International Education Foundation YP Trustee,

2016-2019

BRETT FARNER, SR/WA
Candidate for IRWA International Secretary

Our Association improves people's quality of life through infrastructure development. In order to meet this purpose, we must have an industry of professionals that are educated, experienced and above all, ethical. Those professionals are— and should be—the members of the IRWA. As the premier organization for right of way professionals, the IRWA must provide the tools, programs and opportunities for development that our members need.

As a candidate for International Secretary, I am committed to continuing and elevating the good work that our members, leaders and staff have started. If I am nominated as a member of the International Executive Committee, I will listen, learn, educate, influence and above all, communicate with stakeholders to help the IRWA remain the authority in the global right of way and infrastructure marketplace. I will commit to open, two-way dialogue with all engaged stakeholders striving for education, diversity and inclusion throughout the Association. By being great communicators, we can advance our Association together, both globally and domestically, while facilitating delivery of the platforms that IRWA members need and want.

My adult life has been and continues to be focused on new experiences, continued learning and overcoming challenges.

I have held several positions as a real estate professional for a public utility company and have been at the same company for the last 10 years. As a right of way professional, I have been fortunate to experience tremendous personal and professional growth, career advancement and leadership opportunities– much of which has been directly tied to my involvement in our Association. After being encouraged to join the IRWA by a leader at my company, I quickly found myself serving as the Vice-President of Chapter 37 in 2010. That opportunity sparked my desire to learn more, do more and add value where I could, launching me into other leadership opportunities such as President of Chapter 37, Region 3 Young Professional Representative, International Nominations and Elections Committee (INEC) Region 3 Representative and Right of Way International Education Foundation (RWIEF) Trustee. I am incredibly proud of the diversity in my IRWA pathway and am truly grateful for the people I have met along the way who have mentored, challenged and supported me.

As seasons of change continue, our Association will face new challenges and have new opportunities that I believe we need to be preparing ourselves for. Doing so will position us to remain the premier Association for right of way professionals and help fulfill our purpose of improving people’s lives through infrastructure development. It is my sincere desire that you will trust in me to lead on your behalf and support me in becoming your next International Secretary for the IRWA.