Who We Are

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Founder, William (Bill) Wermund, SR/WA has well over 50 years of right of way experience.  Bill started his career in right of way with Indiana Bell in January of 1969 and retired from there December 1996.   He then founded a successful right of way acquisition company that serves mainly utility companies.  Bill loves what he does & enjoys teaching others about the industry.  He has served in the Indiana Chapter of the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) in many capacities over his career including President, International Director and Membership Chair.  Bill received the honor of Indiana Chapter 10's Professional of the Year twice.  He has been a member of the IRWA for over 50 years and received special recognition for this in 2019. When not working, Bill enjoys spending time with his dog Lola and assisting his grandsons with their go-kart racing adventures!

Laura Wermund Santos is a Senior Right of Way Acquisition Agent with Negotiations, Inc.; she has been with the company since 2007.  Prior to joining her father in the right of way business, Laura worked for a residential builder in the land department.  After joining Negotiations, Inc. Laura worked to achieve her SR/WA and Brokers License and has become a respected professional in the industry.  In 2017, Laura became part owner of Negotiations Inc. and President of the company which focuses on utility acquisitions.  Laura has held several positions with the International Right of Way Association including Chapter President, International Director, Education Committee Chair, Newsletter Editor and is currently the  Chapter 10 Nominations and Elections Committee Chair, Assistant Newsletter Editor and a member of the Education Committee.  Laura enjoys spending time with her husband Mike, pup Frosty the Santos, and being with her boys and father out on the go kart track when not securing easements.

 Ron Barker, SRWA, completed a 48-year career and is recently retired (March 2022) being Lead Right of Way Agent at CenterPoint Energy Company Indiana North a natural gas and electric distribution company serving 6 states. Ron has worked within the Indiana and Ohio footprint of CenterPoint Energy service territories and has over 40 years of experience in the right of way profession working in project management, right of way acquisition and railroad permitting since 1979. He has been an active member of the International Right of Way Association since 1979. Ron is actively involved in the International Right of Way Association as a member of Crossroads of America, Indiana Chapter 10. He has served in all chapter leadership positions and has held numerous chapter committee positions. Ron has served Region 5 as Regional Secretary, Vice Chair and Chair. He has also served as Vice Chair and Chair of the International Nominations and Election Committee. Ron also serves and is a long-time member of the IRWA International Pipeline Committee. Ron currently serves as a trustee on the Right of Way International Education Foundation and is Assistant Treasurer.

Christi joined Negotiations Inc. as a right of way acquisition agent in 2021. She retired from IBM in 2019 after a career highlighted by multiple Sales and Marketing roles. Her positions included responsibility for both regional industry-based territories, and local geography sales for Fortune 100 companies. 

Christi has held an Indiana Real Estate License for over 30 years and is also a commissioned Notary Public. She has successfully purchased right of way for the Hendricks County Surveyors office and other Indiana Utility Companies. Christi is an active member of the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) Indiana chapter. Christi is married and enjoys her family and grandchildren. She enjoys being involved in their lives, school, church, and playing Pickleball!

Prior to joining Negotiations-Inc., in 2023, Bruce worked in the Information Technology industry in various capacities. He started his IT career with IBM in various technical positions, from Customer Engineer to Service  Delivery Manager to Professional Development Manager. Bruce also worked for several years at AT&T as a Service Delivery Manager. Bruce started his own IT consulting services company, including hardware, software, and project management services, and 3 years of field survey work. He finally retired from the IT industry in 2021. Bruce received his Real Estate Brokers license and Notary Commission in 2023, and is presently gaining experience in the Right of Way industry. Bruce enjoys his family, especially his 5 grandchildren! He loves the outdoors, and spends his spare time playing golf, and dreaming about buying easements!

Stan retired from his role at Negotiations, Inc., where he shone brightly for 16 years. We are immensely grateful for his hard work and unwavering dedication! Before joining Negotiations Inc. in 2006, Stan successfully owned and managed an excavation and drainage company. From 1994 to 2024, he served on the Board of Directors for Hendricks Power Cooperative, an electric utility, holding various positions including President and Secretary, and chairing several committees. Additionally, Stan was appointed to the Hendricks County Drainage Board by county commissioners in 2006 and remained until 2024. He also worked as a Project Engineer at Duke in the electric utility sector, where he was responsible for designing numerous high-voltage transmission lines with multimillion-dollar budgets. His diverse experience proved to be a tremendous asset!  Stan cherished spending time with his wife, Sharen, along with his two sons, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter, before being called home on September 8, 2024.