Fort Worth, TX— August 30, 2023— O’Brien Right of Way Valuation is celebrating its 15th anniversary with the announcement of its hiring of Matt Browne and Sam Sutton. The veteran real estate appraisers will amplify the firm’s specialization areas as it continues to expand.
Matt Browne, MAI, R/W-AC, joins the team as Managing Director. With 25 years of experience, he is a seasoned expert witness in eminent domain litigation. He is also the Past President of the Central Texas Chapter of the Appraisal Institute, serves on the International Valuation Committee (IVC), and co-chairs the Chapter 36 Programs Committee for the International Right of Way Association (IRWA). Prior to joining O’Brien Right of Way Valuation, Browne was the Managing Director for Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE). In the mid-2000s, Browne and Mike O’Brien worked together at a national appraisal company. As his firm continued to expand, O’Brien moved to bring Browne on board to strengthen the right of way valuation group’s growing prominence across Texas and the U.S.
“Matt is a veteran trial witness who brings unparalleled experience and communication skills. He has a good temperature for navigating in the public realm and understands how best to collaborate with public agencies. Matt is helping us deliver to public and private clients alike,” O’Brien said.
Sam Sutton joins the team as Senior Analyst. He has approximately 14 years of experience in all elements of eminent domain litigation analysis and will support the firm’s litigation team. Sutton also joins the team after leaving CBRE, where he was the Senior Valuation Associate for a specialized litigation support team. Sutton is well versed in appraising all types of land uses including commercial, industrial, residential, and special purpose properties to name a few.
O’Brien contributes the firm’s rapid growth to its guiding principle: Value People. Value Property.
“We value our team members and partners with whom we are undertaking infrastructure projects, and we respect people who may be affected in the process. Simply put, we value public trust,” said O’Brien.
“Matt and Sam are kind-hearted, experienced individuals who align with our values and vision,” continued O’Brien. “Their addition to our team allows us to manage the phenomenal growth we’re experiencing, not just in Texas but across the U.S.”
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About O’Brien Right of Way Valuation
Mike O’Brien has provided a full complement of property appraisals and market analyses for thousands of public, private, and property owner projects since its founding in 2008.
In addition to its numerous projects in Texas, the firm has appraisal experience in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Projects are primarily focused on transportation (highways, railroads, airports, city and county roadways, marine terminals, and bulkheaded ship channel sites) and utilities (electric transmission lines, pipelines, oil and gas surface sites, water and sewer lines, new reservoirs, and flood control).
The company’s Advisory Council is led by senior members who guide major business decisions. They are: Mike O’Brien, President; Matt Browne, Managing Director; Walker B. Kelly, Managing Director; Joel H. St. John, Director of Electric; Chris B. Haller, Senior Analyst/Business Development; and Jessica M. Farris, Chief People Officer/Director of Operations.
The firm now has 17 employees and two offices (Fort Worth, TX and Midland, TX). To learn more about O’Brien Right of Way Valuation, visit obrien-row.com.