Erich Smith Email and Phone Number

Real property and real estate advisory supporting Patriot's 34 regional freight short line railroads, scenic rail excursion trains, and rail-related service companies in 26 states. Responsible for land acquisitions and dispositions, land use permitting, development of railroad right-of-way and related industrial rail-served projects. Additional involvement in infrastructure grants and transportation (DOT) public projects, mergers & acquisitions, and engagement with public, private, and governmental regulatory agencies on land rights matters involving company assets.

Monetization of various surface land uses (public & private crossings/industrial trackage agreements/cell towers/billboards/leases), sub-surface (fiber/pipe & wire), and aerial assets (DOT & transportation projects/electric distribution & transmission) opportunities in the Omni Railroad Real Estate portfolio of corridor land, managed railroads, properties, and related port infrastructure. Negotiation and development of complex real estate contracts, public and development projects, and related real estate activities to support various Railway operations, industrial development, and logistics services company revenue growth objectives.

Managed corporate portfolio of real estate assets and involvement with various land development projects on the Florida East Coast Railway's right of way and ancillary property parcels (Florida East Coast Industries/Brightline fka All Aboard Florida: transit oriented development). Tasked with maximizing secondary land use income opportunities with oversight of short and long term revenue producing leases and licenses granted to 3rd party public and private entities permitting uses, in addition to asset relocation to accommodate high-speed rail infrastructure.

Contract engagement in land management supporting development by providing due diligence examinations in the purchase and sale of companies and properties. Duties included research services for land, timber, title (royalty, cursory, full), permitting and right of way (pipelines, utilities, plant facilities, rail, roadways, solar and wind projects). Due diligence (acquisitions and divestitures), lease take-offs, curative title, lease acquisition (surface, mineral, royalty, and purchases), asset management and marketing (buyer and seller representation).

Oversight of development stages for Signet Companies including new project development, project structuring, project finance, asset management and budgeting.

Complex land research due diligence supporting land and real estate underwriting for third party clients.