Angela Jacobs

As a Project Manager I am responsible for guiding projects from kickoff through successful completion. I coordinate the people, tasks, schedules, budgets, and resources needed to keep each project moving forward. I monitor progress against the original scope and estimate, communicate with the project team and stakeholders, identify risks or issues early, and help remove roadblocks. I also make sure responsibilities and expectations are clear and that changes to the project are properly addressed. Ultimately, my role is to keep the project organized and accountable so OR Colan delivers what was promised on time, within budget, and according to the client’s expectations.

I would recommend working at OR Colan because it provides the opportunity to work with knowledgeable and experienced professionals in the right-of-way industry while continuing to grow professionally. I appreciate the collaborative environment and the opportunity to use my background in real estate and right-of-way while also developing my project management skills. OR Colan’s work has a direct impact on communities and infrastructure, which makes the projects meaningful. I would recommend OR Colan to someone looking for a company where they can contribute their experience, continue learning, take on new challenges, and be part of a team focused on successfully serving its clients. 

I have more than 22 years of experience in real estate as a licensed Real Estate Agent, which has provided me with a strong background in property transactions, negotiations, client relations, and problem-solving. I also served as the district 6 LPA Right of Way Coordinator with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), where I gained extensive experience overseeing and coordinating the right-of-way acquisition process for Local Public Agency projects.

In that role, I worked closely with local agencies, consultants, property owners, appraisers, title professionals, attorneys, and other stakeholders to ensure right-of-way activities were completed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with ODOT requirements and applicable regulations. My combination of private-sector real estate experience and public-sector right-of-way experience has given me a well-rounded understanding of property acquisition, negotiations, compliance, stakeholder coordination, and project delivery.

My responsibilities included coordinating title work, appraisals, acquisitions, negotiations, closings, appropriations, right-of-way certifications, project schedules, and documentation. I also worked through complex property acquisitions involving multiple owners and decision-makers, helping resolve issues while minimizing impacts to project schedules.

That experience gave me a strong understanding of both the technical and administrative sides of right-of-way acquisition, as well as the importance of communication, documentation, compliance, and schedule management. It also provided a strong foundation for my current project management work at OR Colan, where I can apply my knowledge of ODOT and LPA processes from the consultant side of right-of-way delivery.

I would advise a candidate applying for a role at OR Colan to come prepared to demonstrate strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills. Right-of-way work involves coordinating with many different people, so being able to build relationships, communicate professionally, and adapt when challenges arise is important.

I would also encourage candidates to ask questions, be willing to learn, and be open to new challenges. You may not come into the position knowing every aspect of the right-of-way industry, but having a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and willingness to learn can go a long way. OR Colan offers an opportunity to work with experienced professionals, so take advantage of their knowledge and experience.

Most importantly, be yourself and be prepared to explain how your previous experience can contribute to the team. Skills from real estate, project management, customer service, government, appraisal, and other fields can translate well into the right-of-way industry.