Awards

Professional Of The Year

2026 Matt Lance, SR/WA, R/W-RAC, R/W-URAC

Project Manager, HDR Engineering, Inc.
Matt Lance is a Project Manager with HDR Engineering, Inc., where he has worked since 2006, following nearly 20 years with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Throughout his 34-year career in right of way and relocation services, he has managed the relocation of numerous residential and commercial properties affected by federally, state, and locally funded transportation and infrastructure projects. His client experience includes the City of Austin, Austin Transit Partnership, City of Fort Worth, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, Trinity Metro, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Tarrant County, TxDOT, and TxDOT’s Aviation Division. Matt's expertise includes project management, development of relocation policies and procedures, relocation planning, replacement housing payments, personal property inventories, advisory services, and the coordination of complex and specialized moves. He is known for delivering practical, innovative solutions to challenging acquisition and relocation issues. Matt currently serves as Director 1-Year for IRWA Chapter 36 and is the recipient of the 2025 Chapter 36 Jan T. Whatley, SRWA, Professional of the Year Award. He is also an IRWA Certified Instructor and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Young Professional Of The Year

Miles Travis is an Appraiser with Cushman & Wakefield’s Valuation & Advisory service line and a member of the Infrastructure Practice Group, specializing in eminent domain and right-of-way valuations. With five years of experience, he has supported major infrastructure projects across Texas, Arkansas, and North Carolina, including utility easements, bridge and road expansions, and litigation preparation. Miles is a Licensed Appraiser Trainee in both Texas and Arkansas and an active member of IRWA Chapter 36, where he was named Young Professional of the Year in 2025 and has held several leadership roles. He is also an Associate Member of the Appraisal Institute and holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Texas A&M University.