O'Brien Right of Way Valuation
Matt Browne
Fort Worth-based O’Brien Right of Way Valuation on Wednesday announced the hiring of Matt Browne and Sam Sutton as managing director and senior analyst.
The company touted Browne’s expertise as a witness in eminent domain litigation over the course of his 25-year career.
He is also 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).
O'Brien Right of Way Valuation
Sam Sutton
Browne worked with company founder Mike O’Brien in the mid-2000s 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,” O’Brien said in a statement. “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.”
Prior to joining O’Brien Right of Way Valuation, Browne was the managing director for Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE).
With these hires, the firm, founded in 2008, now has 17 employees and two offices, in Fort Worth and Midland.
Browne and Sutton “will amplify the firm’s specialization areas as it continues to expand.”
Sutton has about 14 years of experience in all elements of eminent domain litigation analysis and will support the firm’s litigation team, the company said.
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.
“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,” O’Brien said. “Simply put, we value public trust.”
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 15 years ago.
In addition to its numerous projects in Texas, the firm has appraisal experience in 22 other states.
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).
“Matt and Sam are kind-hearted, experienced individuals who align with our values and vision," O'Brien said. "Their addition to our team allows us to manage the phenomenal growth we’re experiencing, not just in Texas but across the U.S.”