Staff

Craig Weaver

Craig Weaver, President and founding member, began his career in the right of way industry in 1991 when he was hired by a nationally known right of way consulting company as a right of way agent. During his time as an agent, he represented MAPCO, Diamond Shamrock and Seminole Pipeline, developing and refining his natural skill in negotiation.

Craig left the right of way industry in 1994 and spent the next 13 years viewing right of way from the perspective of pipeline construction companies, acting as Vice President of Business Development for Associated Pipeline Contractors, after 4 years Craig then accepted a position with the Ozzie’s group of companies, a world leader in pipeline padding techniques and horizontal directional drilling, where he held several titles, including, V.P. of Business Development, Sr. Vice President and President, after the company was sold to an investment group, Craig and 3 others purchased the assets of the directional drilling division and formed Southeast Directional Drilling, Craig’s experience, leadership and business savvy resulted in the companies experiencing significant growth, with revenues increasing nearly 10-fold. During his tenure, Craig fostered and developed relationships with key pipeline companies, which he maintains to this day.
Craig’s experiences from the perspective of an acquisition agent and from that of pipeline construction provide him a unique understanding of the right of way process from start to finish and a solid foundation for his current responsibilities. Craig is charged with establishing, developing and maintaining relationships with pipeline and utility entities, striving to meet their needs and exceed their expectations. Craig is known for his straightforward approach to business and is widely respected for his personal and professional integrity.

Craig is a member of the International Right of Way Association and the Houston Pipeliner’s Association, Chapter 28, Phoenix, Arizona.

Mark Pickering

Mark Pickering, Vice President and founding member, is an experienced right of way agent and a seasoned professional with an exemplary employment history in sales, marketing and project management.

Mark spent more than 20 years with Emerson Process Management, the world leader in industrial automation and provider of measurement and analytical devices to the pipeline industry. Mark’s insight into the technical operations of the pipeline industry combined with his experience on the ground as a right of way agent afford him the ability to see past the surface and take into account actual systems operations. Mark’s responsibilities include the day-to-day operation of G&P as well as meeting with clients and addressing their specific right of way needs.

Mark graduated from Texas A&M in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Distribution. He is an active member in the International Right of Way Association.

Troy Bergeron

Troy Bergeron, Operations Manager, Business Development Mgr. for Gulf Coast Region, joined G&P Land in January, 2011. With more than 15 years of experience in various facets of the industry, Troy has experience representing numerous clients from the Pipeline, Oil and Gas Exploration, Telecommunications and Public Sectors. Troy comes to us from one of North America’s premier natural gas infrastructure companies where he was a Right of Way Project Manager for their Engineering and Construction Group with management responsibility for the South Region and Storage Team. Troy’s career began in Louisiana where he successfully accomplished projects for numerous E & P companies as an Abstractor and Landman. He has also done title and leasing in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Texas. He has performed contract work across the nation on both Interstate and Intrastate, both FERC regulated and State regulated, Transmission pipelines; Upstream and Midstream pipelines; Gathering systems; Fiber Optic systems; Wireless Towers; and Water and Sewer Lines. Troy’s knowledge and skills as it pertains to the management of a project from its earliest stages through its life cycle, negotiations, permitting, title, and due-diligence makes him uniquely qualified to handle any client’s specific needs. Since 1999, Troy has proven to be a very enthusiastic and effective instructor of land professionals. As an advocate for the right of way profession, Troy has hosted lunch and learn sessions to increase understanding of the right of way process for executives, engineers, construction managers, risk analysts and other professionals.

Troy served our nation proudly receiving an honorable discharge as a non-commissioned officer of the United States Air Force. During his tenure at Southeastern Louisiana University he worked towards his Business Management Degree. He is an active member of Chapter 8 of the International Right of Way Association and a former member of the Baton Rouge Association of Petroleum Landmen.

Michael Trout

Mike Trout, Manager of Business Development, Northeast Region, joined G&P Land in 2010. With more than 25 years of experience in various facets of the industry, he is able to understand and address client needs from title and abstracting to negotiating acquisition of rights of way for FERC approved multi-state pipeline projects. For more than 15 years, Mike worked throughout the Northeastern United States for a major pipeline transmission corporation. His work on both interstate and intrastate pipeline projects has been met with success at every step, from project inception to completion. Mike has also served as a lease acquisition agent, specifically leasing high profile acreage in the Marcellus Shale formation. His in-depth understanding of and hands-on experience with both right of way and oil and gas leasing projects provide him with the requisite background and expertise necessary for success in all phases of both types of projects.

Mike’s diverse experience provides him a unique perspective and broad scope of understanding regarding the specific needs of the client. Importantly, Mike is well-known throughout the Northeast & Appalachian Basin and is recognized for his professional work ethic and high standards.

Mike attended Fairmont State College (WV) and West Virginia University. He is a member of the International Oil & Gas Association, the American Association of Professional Landmen and Chapter 21 of the International Right of Way Association.

Leslie Allyn Cole

Leslie Allyn Cole, Accounting & Human Resources Manager, is responsible for invoicing, banking and serves as the payroll and benefits administrator at G&P.

Leslie began her career as the Accounts Payable Manager at the Marriott’s Plaza Hotel in San Antonio and helped start Imperial Meat Purveyors as the Chief Financial Officer. Always a lover of politics, Leslie then went to work as the Budget Director of Communication for a presidential campaign. She was responsible for creating, implementing and managing a multi-million dollar budget for the Press Department.  She went to Washington D.C. with the Administration to become the Deputy Comptroller of the Presidential Inauguration Committee (PIC).  There she created and managed a $14 million budget for several events and functioned as liaison between PIC and the Secret Service.

Leslie returned to San Antonio to run a local campaign and work with community leaders on organizing some of the City’s most important events: the launch of the nationally acclaimed Children’s Courts, the re-opening of the Smithsonian’s Museo Alameda and the annual conference for the influential Texas Lyceum.

Leslie received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio. She is a current member of the International Right of Way Association.

Melissa Watkins

Melissa Watkins, Personnel Manager, began her career in the right of way industry in 1997, working as IT Administrator and designing the company website. Her natural ability to interact and communicate with others resulted in a transfer to personnel where she served for the next 9 years.

At G&P Land, Melissa’s responsibilities include identifying and recruiting field personnel, on-site establishment of remote project field offices; including locating and leasing appropriate space and ensuring that they are properly furnished and equipped. She also serves as the primary corporate office liaison with both clients and project supervisory personnel. Working in continuous contact with the principals in charge of client accounts and projects, Melissa is the lynchpin of field operations as well as the first point of contact for personnel working in the field.

Melissa received Bachelor degrees from The University of New Mexico (1975) and Central Washington University (1980). She is a member of the International Right of Way Association.

Jason Hill

Jason Hill, Right of Way Project Manager/Client Coordinator, joined G&P Land in April, 2011.  With more than 15 years in various facets of the industry, Jason has emerged as a proven leader in successfully managing both interstate and intrastate pipeline projects.

Jason brings with him a wealth of knowledge and hands on experience including staffing, budgets, scheduling, title, civil and environmental survey permission, route selection, document preparation, public meetings, negotiations, acquisition, permitting, damage settlement, tract valuations, appraisals, litigation, mediation and construction activities.  He has also worked and negotiated successfully with the Bureau of Land Management and the Navajo and Ute Indian Nations in New Mexico and Colorado.

Jason’s highly successful career began in pipeline operations where he spent more than 5 years managing a major US oil company’s South Texas mainline transmission, gathering systems, storage facilities and trucking operations.  His areas of responsibility included pipeline system integrity, system measurement, safety training, environmental compliance and system improvements.  Jason’s operations experience, together with over 12 years in the field managing major right of way projects, makes him uniquely qualified to address client’s needs.

Jason is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications/Public Relations.  He is a member of the International Right of Way Association, Chapter 39, and holds a Florida Real Estate license.