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Right-of-Way

Real Estate Specialist

Carol J. Ahles, RWA, R/W-NAC

As a member of Steigerwaldt’s Right-of-Way department, Carol is responsible for assisting the department in title review, document preparation and execution, database management, permitting, market study research, and project procurement. Carol has worked on a variety of utility, governmental, and renewable infrastructure projects and is well-versed in the statutory and permitting requirements for these projects.

She supports acquisition projects with a special focus on quality control and data organization. She also assists in analyzing, preparing, reviewing and interpreting land and Right-of-Way related agreements, deeds, easements, leases, permits, and licenses. She has received her Right-of-Way Agent designation through the International Right-of-Way Association and has her Right-of-Way Negotiation and Acquisition designation (R/W NAC) through IRWA. Carol is a licensed real estate agent and notary in Wisconsin.

Carol has worked on numerous transmission line, gas line, and highway projects in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.

In her free time, Carol enjoys spending time with her family and fishing the lakes of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

carol.ahles@steigerwaldt.com
715.453.3274, ext. 306

Senior Right-of-Way Agent

Dede M. Chosa

Deanne (Dede) Chosa serves as a Senior Right-of-Way Agent at Steigerwaldt Land Services. She is responsible for supporting the Energy, Infrastructure, and Real Estate Division through supporting right-of-way acquisition, land leasing, permitting and construction support for oil and gas, wind, solar and transmission areas.

Dede holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In her free time, Dede enjoys boating, kayaking and trail riding. She is also an avid Packer and Badger fan!

dede.chosa@steigerwaldt.com
715.453.3274, ext. 336

Right-of-Way Agent

William R.L. Fox

William serves as a Right-of-Way Agent at Steigerwaldt Land Services. He is responsible for supporting the Energy, Infrastructure, and Real Estate division through supporting right-of-way acquisition, land leasing, permitting, and construction support for oil and gas, wind, solar, and transmission areas.

William holds a Bachelor's Degree in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In his free time, William enjoys mountain biking, golf, and Kiteboarding.

william.fox@steigerwaldt.com
715.453.3274, ext. 335

Senior Real Estate Agent

Keith O. Frank Jr, RWA, R/W-NAC

Keith serves as a Senior Right of Way Agent at Steigerwaldt Land Services. He is a key member of the Right-of-Way team and is involved in supporting client and landowner relations. Keith supports day-to-day department functions including negotiations, and the preparation of necessary documents. He also provides regular status reports on easement acquisition and permitting, negotiates and secures fee titles, easements, leases, licenses, permits, and ordinances.

Keith holds Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota Real Estate Broker Licenses, a Wisconsin Mortgage License, as well as being a Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota Notary. He is a member of the International Right of Way Association and holds the RWA and the R/W-NAC designations and is a Wisconsin DOT – READS Approved Negotiator.

Prior to his current position, Keith has been a real estate agent since 2016 during which he had several multi-million-dollar sales years. Before that, he worked in radio for eight years and was highly involved with running a children's summer camp, serving as a counselor, the Activities Director, and the Camp Director during that time. Additionally, he attended Milwaukee Area Technical College where he was on the Dean’s List, he graduated from their electrical program and worked for two years as an electrical installer.

In his free time Keith loves reading and makes it a goal to read at least one book a week. He enjoys spending time with his wife Hannah, six children and beagle; camping, kayaking, fishing, hunting, hiking/exploring (recently completed his first marathon), and especially playing board games, role play games, and Chess. Keith serves his community through a weekly chess club that he runs at his local library, serving at his Church, and he also serves as a Trustee on his Village Board. Keith and Hannah love to explore the world and are well on their way to achieving their goal of visiting all 50 states, and as many countries after that as possible.

keith.frank@steigerwaldt.com
715.453.3274, ext. 334

Senior Right-of-Way Agent

Dean L. Garski

Dean L. Garski serves as a Senior Right-of-Way Agent at Steigerwaldt Land Services. He is responsible for supporting the Energy, Infrastructure, and Real Estate Division through right-of-way acquisition, land leasing, permitting, and construction support for oil and gas, wind, solar, and transmission areas. Dean is also an IRWA member and has previously obtained his Wisconsin Real Estate Sales License.

Prior to his employment at Steigerwaldt, Dean spent a 35+ year career in the Pipeline and Energy industry as a Welder, Cathodic Protection Specialist, and Welding, Coating, and Excavation Inspector for various Green/Brown Field projects throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. He also served as a Project Manager in the ROW acquisition, clearing, and restoration field for several projects.

In his free time Dean enjoys fishing, hiking, hunting and golfing with family and friends and volunteering with youth sports and local wildlife clubs.

dean.garski@steigerwaldt.com
715.453.3274, ext, 305

Regional Operations Manager - Real Estate (West Division)

Kari L. Genson, RWA

Kari is responsible for collaborating on a variety of infrastructure projects with public and private utilities, governmental agencies, and on renewable energy projects. She is a new member in IRWA, where she maintains her education in the field of right of way.

Her responsibilities include liaising with clients and landowners to get necessary land rights for the project, securing necessary access, resolving construction-related damages, obtaining necessary project permits, attending public meetings, and handling vegetation management issues. Her duties also include project administration and management and project bidding and procurement.

Kari also holds a Wisconsin Real Estate Sales License and assists clients with residential and recreational real estate acquisitions, dispositions, marketing, and contracting.

In her free time, Kari enjoys spending time with her family and four-legged friends. She also loves musky fishing, hunting, cycling of any sort, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.

kari.genson@steigerwaldt.com
715.699.1401, ext, 204

Vice President - Energy, Infrastructure, and Real Estate

Haakon K. Hagemeister, SR/WA

Haakon serves as the Vice President of Energy, Infrastructure, and Real Estate for Steigerwaldt and has been with the company since 2004. He worked as a staff and project forester prior to transitioning to the real estate team in 2011. Haakon earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management from Michigan Technological University and a Graduate Business Certificate from University of Wisconsin Whitewater. He is a member of the International Right of Way Association, Society of American Foresters, and Association of Consulting Foresters. He served as the chapter chair of the Northeast Chapter of the Society of American Foresters from 2011 to 2013 and holds the SR/WA designation from the IRWA. He is a Wisconsin and Michigan Notary and a Wisconsin Cooperating Forester.

Haakon’s current job duties at Steigerwaldt include leading cross-functional teams, overseeing the planning, execution, and optimization of projects within the energy, infrastructure, and real estate sectors. This includes cross-collaboration to ensure improved team performance, increased productivity, and successful project delivery. Haakon coordinates and ensures client expectations are met in relation to project budgeting, forecasting, schedule, and workflow to ensure successful completion on time and within budget. Additional duties include attending public meetings, obtaining necessary local and state permits, preparing market studies, negotiating with public and private landowners, settling damage claims, and handling vegetation management issues. As Vice President, Haakon is also responsible for business development. Haakon’s strong negotiation and communication skills enable him to establish and maintain long-term relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, investors, and regulatory bodies.

In his free time, Haakon enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters, brook trout fishing, hunting, and spending time outdoors.

haakon.h@steigerwaldt.com
715.453.3274, ext. 332

Document Specialist

Loni R. Kidd

Loni serves as a Document Specialist at Steigerwaldt Land Services. She is responsible for supporting the Right-of-Way department through right-of-way acquisition, land leasing, permitting, and construction support. She will continue to provide forestry stumpage support for the Land and Resource Management department as well.

Loni holds an Associate Degree from Mid-State Technical College in Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Sciences.

Prior to her current position, Loni was a Division Assistant for the Land and Resource Management department at Steigerwaldt, a loan processor for Northwoods Community Credit Union, and a Wood Payment Systems Administrator for Verso Corporation.

In her free time, Loni enjoys spending time with her family, UTVing and finding waterfalls.

loni.kidd@steigerwaldt.com
715.699.1401, ext. 202

Agricultural Specialist

Kayla M. Knaack

Kayla Knaack serves as the Agricultural Specialist at Steigerwaldt Land Services. She is responsible for supporting the Right-of-Way division as it pertains to agriculture. She reviews and offers guidance for Agricultural Impact Statements, helps settle damage claims, and acts as a liaison between utility companies and farmers.

Kayla holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in Agricultural Economics.

In addition to her current position, Kayla is also an independent Certified General Appraiser specializing in agricultural properties.

In her free time, Kayla enjoys spending time on her farm with her husband and five kids.

kayla.knaack@steigerwaldt.com
715.453.3274

Document Specialist

Kathy R. Koeser

Kathy Koeser serves as the Document Specialist at Steigerwaldt Land Services. She is responsible for supporting the Energy, Infrastructure, and Real Estate Division through documentation preparation, title work, database updates, file management, land sales research, and document QA/QC.

Kathy holds a Paralegal Associated Degree from Lakeshore Technical College.

Prior to her current position, Kathy, spent most of her career working for title companies and law firms as a real estate paralegal where she gained knowledge that will assist in her current role. Kathy also served four (4) two-year terms as an elected Town Clerk in Sheboygan County just before moving to the area.

In her free time, Kathy enjoys many of the “up-north” activities: time with family, listening to music, and watching sports and movies, especially vintage classics, westerns, and who done its.

kathy.koeser@steigerwaldt.com
715.699-1401, ext. 327

Regional Operations Manager - Real Estate (East Division)

Jason D. Saari

Jason Saari serves as Regional Operations Manager - Real Estate for Steigerwaldt Land Services where he supports the Right-of-Way department through performance management of direct reports, business development, project procurement support, and contract work with external companies. He is also responsible for managing a team of professionals with daily oversight, work planning, and team meetings in addition to client communications and landowner meetings.

Jason has 27 years of Real Estate management experience in the outdoor advertising industry, serving as Director of Real Estate, Real Estate Manager, and Real Estate Representative for several media companies. Jason has also served as President and Vice President for an industry trade association and worked there for 17 years. Jason has a diversified background in Real Estate acquisition, Government Affairs, code compliance, lease portfolio management, and obtaining regulatory and zoning approvals for numerous projects at the State and Local level.

Jason holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in Business Administration, graduating in 1995.

In his free time, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, and loves to spend time outdoors golfing, snowmobiling, and hunting.

jason.saari@steigerwaldt.com
715.453.3274, ext. 345

Senior Real Estate Specialist

Nate E. Seely, RWA

Nathan is responsible for all aspects of Right-of-Way and Real Estate work, specializing in right-of-way acquisition. He holds a Minnesota Real Estate Salesperson License and is a full member in IRWA, where he continues his education in the Right of Way field. His duties include working with clients and landowners during negotiations for easements, access, or damages. He is skilled at the negotiation process while acquiring easements, and ensures that the landowners’ needs and concerns are met.

Prior to his current position, Nathan was a Contract Landman working for oil and gas companies throughout the United States, negotiating leases for oil and gas exploration with mineral owners and running full title for the mineral ownership.

In his free time, Nathan enjoys all aspects of the outdoors including hunting, fishing, four wheeling, and camping with the family.

nathan.seely@steigerwaldt.com
715.699.1401, ext. 211

Real Estate Agent

Leland V. Swift

Leland Swift serves as a Real Estate Agent at Steigerwaldt Land Services. He is responsible for supporting the Right-of-Way division. Leland specializes in GIS modeling and data management.

Leland holds a Bachelor's Degree from Carleton College in Environmental and Technological Studies with an emphasis in Environmental Justice.

Prior to his current position, Leland was an AmeriCorps/4H Special Interest Club Coordinator, and a Data Manager for the Bluebird Recovery Project of MN.

In his free time, Leland enjoys hiking with his dog, trying to train his pet parrot, traveling, and watching rugby.

leland.swift@steigerwaldt.com
715.453.3274, ext. 302

Document Manager

Stacey A. Walther

Stacey serves as a Document Manager at Steigerwaldt Land Services. She is responsible for supporting the Energy, Infrastructure, and Real Estate division through managing staff, supporting department workflow, client deliverables, invoicing, and client relationships.

Prior to her current position, Stacey was a Documentation Associate II in a Global Pharmaceutical company.

In her free time, Stacey enjoys golfing with her husband and son, relaxing by the lake, going to different restaurants and breweries, and spending time with the family and dog Ziggy.

stacey.walther@steigerwaldt.com
715.453.3274, ext. 329