Faith Roland inaugurated as IRWA President

She has worked hard and dedicated herself to our industry. Faith is a proven leader with the ability to take our association to the next level and beyond in the coming years. She has always made it quite clear that OPC did not choose her, but rather she chose OPC to further her career as a right of way professional. This is what makes us proud.

The following is the inspirational speech that Faith gave at the IRWA Education Conference held in Austin, Texas this past June. 

Leave an Impression 

My first impression of the International Right of Way Association was my second day on the job at King County and my entrance into the profession we call Right of Way. John Harvey Netzley, SR/WA, left a photocopy of an application for membership on my desk, with a sticky note on it saying “you could benefit from joining IRWA”. John was a distinguished silver-haired review appraiser with the County. He displayed his SR/WA plaque proudly on his wall and kept all of his course manuals on a nearby shelf for reference and for training newcomers like me. He was, and still is, my measure of a true professional.

Arriving promptly at 6:15 am every day in ties that always matched his neatly pressed shirt, he’d often leave copies of an article on the latest appraisal issue or relevant right of way topic. There was always a sticky note with some bit of encouragement. Pretty soon copies of chapter newsletters and magazines made their way to my desk. Before I knew it, I joined Puget Sound Chapter 4.

The first Executive Committee member I met at a chapter meeting was our chapter’s own Susan Serdahl, SR/WA. Susan was President Elect at the time. I thought every chapter had their own IEC member. Susan was a true role model for women in our association. Thank you for leaving such a powerful impression.

Pretty soon here comes John Harvey again, leaving flyers about upcoming courses and an application for SR/WA candidacy. And there was that sticky note again, “this professional designation will be good for your career” he said. A little time passes and I get another visit from John. “Seems there’s an opening for VP at the upcoming election for chapter officers, it would be a good opportunity” the sticky note says. So I stepped up to the plate.

With his gentle mentoring, I soon was encouraged to attend a Region form. There I met Don Marx, SR/WA and thus began my greater understanding of the larger structure of IRWA. Don, what a lasting impression you left with me. You are a true leader. You made a point of being an open, honest, approachable leader. I have not forgotten the moment you walked up and introduced yourself. We discussed how I was one of the youngest people in attendance at that forum. I was 38. Thank goodness I’m not the youngest anymore.

I’ll never forget taking course 100 from W. Howard Armstrong, SR/WA. He took time at lunch the first day to sit with my friend Linda and me to help us map out our path toward completion of our SR/WA designation. What an impression of caring and dedication he left on me and on this association. Thank goodness for his brief time with us.



Dan Beardsley, SR/WA, thank you for asking such an important question while we were in Fairbanks, Alaska: “So what are you going to do next?” And more importantly, thank you for your infectious passion for all that we do.

Shortly after my first candidate statement appeared in Right of Way Magazine, I received an envelope in the mail. It was from my dear friend John Harvey Netzley, SR/WA. He had photocopied my candidate statement and attached a sticky note, “Let me know what I can do for you.” John had recently retired and was still tracking my growth in this association. I couldn’t help but think how humble he was in his encouragement and caring for me and our profession. John passed away in the spring before I was elected for the first time to the IEC. Well friends, I just wanted you all to know what an impression he left.

I try to get a window seat once in a while during cross country flights, and marvel at the impression we right of way professionals have left on the earth. The roads, the utility corridors, the parks, they all stand out as lasting impressions on this great land. You all have left a lasting impression on the infrastructure of our continent.

As I look back on the leaders I am honored to follow, Don, Gord, Howard, Dan, Yoda (Jim F.) and Jim, I want to thank you for the privilege to follow in your long shadow of influence and for your passion. You all have left an indelible impression on me. Thank you for what you have taught me and for the standard of professionalism you have set for me.

My friends and family in Chapter 4 and Region 7, thank you for your commitment to education and to growing new leaders like me.

Thank you to my employers and more importantly my family at Overland, Pacific & Cutler. You have set a standard for support of our profession and of me. Your support is unmatched.

Most importantly, Rich, thank you for encouraging me to participate fully in IRWA and for the trips to the airport, and the bachelor food and most of all, for telling me how proud you are of me.

I am not certain I’d be standing here without one or more of the lasting impressions of IRWA that were gifts to me along the way. I am indebted to the simple acts of some very caring, selfless individuals. I am also challenged, as I hope you are tonight, to leave an impression. Leave an impression in the year ahead, of passion, professionalism and leadership in right of way. Realize that each and every thing you do in the right of way community and in life, leaves an impression. Make it a good one! One that will last! One that will influence and grow another.

It is my honor to serve you all and to lead the International Right of Way Association into the next 75 years.