MODERATOR

A leader in utility real estate and renewable energy project development, with over 25 years of experience managing complex public agency real estate operations, Blandon brings deep expertise in electric utilities, telecommunications, and clean energy technologies like solar, wind, energy storage, and EV charging infrastructure. He previously chaired the International Right of Way Association’s International Electric and Utilities Committee, demonstrating his commitment to industry leadership and operational excellence. Blandon also served on the City of Roseville Public Utilities Commission for over a decade , providing valuable guidance on utility policy and regulation. His strategic vision and innovative approach make him a highly sought-after expert in public infrastructure real estate.

PANELIST

Shauna leads land rights acquisition, survey operations, and stakeholder engagement for major transmission, generation, and distribution infrastructure projects across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. With extensive experience in real property asset management, easement acquisition, tribal land engagement, and utility project development, she works collaboratively with landowners, regulators, contractors, tribes, and internal stakeholders to support the successful delivery of critical energy infrastructure.

Shauna is an active leader within the International Right of Way Association (IRWA), serving as Vice President for Chapter 72 and contributing to the International Real Property Asset Management Committee. She is passionate about developing strong teams, advancing industry best practices, and fostering transparent, respectful relationships with landowners and community partners.

PANELIST

Mike leads a team responsible for the acquisition of land rights for new generation and transmission projects, management of over 2,500 miles of transmission line ROW, and 44,000 acres of land across North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa. Mike has extensive experience in support of generation and transmission project development, acquisition of fee land and easement rights, Tribal relations, utility crossings, ROW contract management, property management, public testimony, and member relations.

Mike is also a long standing leader within IRWA having served all chapter 72 and region 3 level officer roles, as well as served on the International Ethics Committee, including 3 years as Chair.

PANELIST

With 25 years of industry experience, including the last 17 years at Xcel Energy, Pete leads a team of land agents and surveyors supporting the company’s operations across the Upper Midwest.  Pete’s leadership has been instrumental in multiple regional MVP projects, organizational efforts and leading both the right of way and survey efforts for Xcel Energy’s Upper Midwest team.

PANELIST

With deep roots in Illinois real estate and a background in business management and brokerage, Tara as built expertise in title searching, ownership rights, commercial/industrial real estate, property management, and economic development. Since joining Ameren Illinois in 2014, she has supported major utility real estate, natural gas, electric distribution, transmission, emergency response, railroad permitting, vegetation reclamation, and fiber communication programs.

Tara currently manages multiple large-scale greenfield electric transmission projects, overseeing real estate scope, land rights, permits, public process testimony, appraisals, access, damages, and eminent domain matters. Her daily work includes Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) written and oral expert testimony, landowner and consultant coordination, legal instrument negotiation, permitting, damage settlements, and project forecasting. She has 2 recent MISO awards in the competitive RTO space.   Tara is active in the International Right of Way Association, serving as IRWA Region 3 Vice Chair for 2025–2027.