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Who We Are

We can assist with all your land service needs

Find out how we can help!

Founders, Brian and James Michael have been working as Land Industry consultants since 2001, beginning with WRC Corporation in Minneapolis, MN to a large capital project feasibility study, followed by years in the field on a variety of projects within the discipline of land.

With decades of combined experience, Liberty Core has developed an expansive network of highly qualified industry professionals in various disciplines within the infrastructure sectors. Dedicated to innovative quality project execution, active in professional associations, with a commitment to continuing education and technology, we are well-positioned to help Clients with consulting and contracted resource needs. Our network of talent includes expertise in Project Management, Right-of-Way, Land Services, GIS, Mapping and Locating. We provide Clients with confidence their projects are in good hands, so they can focus their daily efforts on their company’s existing assets and core business(es).

Markets Served

At Liberty Core Consultants, we recognize the importance of clear and consistent communication with all stakeholders to deliver a successful project to our clients.  Regardless of the size of the team, routine communication is imperative from project management to all field personnel.

Our Clients must be in the know when it comes to the status of their projects, from budgets to critical milestones.    We strive to provide only the most experienced professionals to work in concert to promote the values and goals of each client.  Those goals include the resources, management and staff needed to execute any project on-time and within budget, while utilizing sound project controls.

  • Pipeline Transmission (Intrastate – Interstate)
  • Oil & Gas Exploration, Gathering, Transportation & Distribution
  • Electric Transmission
  • Telecommunications
  • Waste-to-Energy
  • Transportation
  • Public Works
  • Utilities
  • Solar

Servicing clients throughout the US

Each client is unique but we have the experience

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC

Meet Our Team

Experience that matters most

Brian C. Michael

Principal

Omaha, NE
brian.michael@libertycore.com
402-770-2165

Brian Michael is a Liberty Core Principal and Co-Owner. He has over 15 years of experience in right-of-way, in both the public and private sectors. Brian has been managing day-to-day corporate operations since Liberty’s inception. These management duties include project bid assessment, negotiating contracts, hiring and placement of employees, banking and financials. Brian is the primary contact for Clients in the realm of quality assurance and company performance. He acts as Liberty Core’s multi-state Real Estate Broker. Brian graduated from Doane College, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration, with a Minor in Business Administration. Brian is an active member of the International Right-of-Way Association (IRWA).

Brian is qualified in all aspects of title, acquisition, permitting and the damage settlement process. He has been a third-party right-of-way agent and right-of-way project manager for Northern Natural Gas, Tetra-Tech Rooney, the Nebraska Department of Transportation and the City of Omaha, among many others.

James Michael

Principal

Lincoln, NE
james.michael@libertycore.com
402-416-7147

James Michael is a Liberty Core Principal and Co-Owner. He has over 15 years of experience in the right-of-way industry, in both the private and public sectors. James also serves as Liberty Core’s Field Project Manager. He manages the various aspects of Client relations and is Liberty’s field operations trainer. James also provides daily support to project personnel in the field. He has been managing projects since 2010 and contract Right-of-Way Representatives since 2001. James earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska. He is an active member of the International Right-of-Way Association (IRWA).

James is qualified to handle all aspects of title, acquisition, permitting and the damage settlement process. He has been a third-party right-of-way agent and right-of-way project manager for Northern Natural Gas since 2003.

Steve Grandon, SR/WA

Director of Business Development

Kansas City, MO
steve.grandon@libertycore.com
816-714-9556

Steve joined Liberty Core in April of 2020 and brings extensive experience in capital projects, operations and business development in the utility and energy sectors.  Based in Kansas City, Steve focuses on client and resource development, along with continued business growth throughout the U.S.

Steve began his career in the Midwest with Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, which is now part of Energy Transfer.  Eight years into his career, he accepted a position as an in-house right-of-way agent.  After working on major projects and supporting operations, Steve was promoted to Manager of Right-of-Way and Contracts and moved to Houston.

Along with Panhandle, Steve’s career included land management positions at WaterOne of Johnson County (KS), Kansas Pipeline and Southwestern Energy in the Fayetteville Shale.  The time spent with these companies provided the opportunity to expand his experience in the land profession.

In 2006, Steve accepted a position at WRC with a focus on business development and has worked on the consulting side ever since.  This has allowed him to grow his knowledge related to the public sector, electric and renewables. Steve is tasked with overseeing various projects throughout the U.S.

Steve has been a member of the International Right-of-Way Association (IRWA) for 35 years.  He has served at the local level of the IRWA, and currently is a member of the International Oil & Gas Pipeline Committee.  He was a Co-chair of the IRWA annual conference which was held in Kansas City in 2003.

Daphne Grandon

Director of Operations

Elkhorn, NE
daphne.grandon@libertycore.com
816-399-9214

Daphne began her career in 2004 in the oil and gas sector where she managed all aspects of natural gas plays including mineral leasing, drilling wells, and acquiring gathering systems. In 2008, Daphne moved into linear project management full-time. Daphne has managed multiple projects across the US, many of which were regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). She has also supported multiple oil, natural gas and carbon conversion projects.

In 2014, Daphne accepted the position of Director of Operations. Among her duties in this role, she managed over 100 employees, multiple projects, and the billing and Human Resources department.

Daphne joined the Liberty Core team in April of 2020 as a Project Manager. In February of 2021, she was promoted to Director of Operations, which is the position she currently holds. While she continues to oversee capital projects, she also manages the safety program, billing, onboarding and payroll.

In her role as Director of Operations, Daphne is extremely passionate and focused in building a team that works together to meet project deliverables on time and under budget.

Tara Briganti

Operations Coordinator

Elkhorn, NE
Tara.briganti@libertycore.com
402-208-0314

Tara began her career at ConAgra Foods in 1999 as an Account Coordinator, where she managed customer accounts for the grocery division working with buyers, warehouses, and carriers to ensure accuracy and timeliness of orders.

In 2002, she took a position as a senior systems trainer for a major project implementation at ConAgra.  She created role-based curriculums for various software systems in the company, focused mainly on the Enterprise Resource Planning system (SAP). She delivered training materials to end users via various mediums, such as live classroom, virtual classroom, and computer-based learning and ensured end user certification post-training.  She also created and managed project plans to ensure timely development and delivery of core and role-based curriculums.

In 2011, she took a career break to focus on my family.  And in 2021, she joined Liberty Core Consultants as the Operations Coordinator.  At Liberty Core, she oversees operational compliance, managing day to day operational activities, addressing issues as they arise, and measuring the effectiveness of all processes.  This includes managing new hire onboarding, orientation, and systems training, as well as supporting the management team.  She manages and processes payroll and also assists with marketing and event planning for clients and employees.