WLS is comprised of a 400+ workforce, scattered throughout the nation, with diverse experience, knowledge, and skillsets. Amidst the diversity, they share a common client-centric attitude, with a natural emphasis on responsiveness, professionalism, and attention to client specific needs. Having a large pool to draw from, we strategically allocate the right people, the appropriate resources, and the necessary experience to each and every project to deliver our best in class promise. Each team member is trained to implement cost effective strategies in relation to the parameters you set forth. Our team realizes that their success can only come from your success – you can rely on them to perform to the utmost potential for successful project completion.
Meet some of the people who work to bring Land, Energy, and People together on a daily basis for WLS:
JON NYE
PM: RIGHT OF WAY
Jonathan joined WLS in 2012 working title abstract for a leasing project in Western Pennsylvania. He has since progressed to managing title teams and has taken leadership roles in many WLS projects. Currently a Project Manager of a major right-of-way project in PA, Jonathan continues to strive for excellence for himself and his team for WLS and for the oil and gas industry. He is certified for Environmental Review and Compliance for Natural Gas Facilities by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. As an avid fisherman and sports fanatic, Jonathan can be found near streams or lakes while proudly wearing one of his Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, or Syracuse Orange hats.
GRANT KLEIN
PD: RENEWABLES
Grant joined WLS in 2011. Since then, he has carried out a variety of land work, including large and small leasing projects in basins from Appalachia to Alaska, as well as ROW acquisition for several large FERC regulated pipeline projects. Grant is recognized for his strong work ethic, keen ability to produce results, and tenacity to see a job through. When not working, Grant enjoys photography, flannel shirts, and spending time with his three young daughters!
Steve Zmek
PD: RENEWABLES
Accomplished Project Director and Landman, Steve joined WLS in January 2022. He has over 18 years of comprehensive experience in title, curative, due diligence, acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, ROW, and project management in the oil and gas and renewable sectors of the energy industry. Steve began his career at Chesapeake Energy Corporation (CHK), a publicly traded energy company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he worked as a Business Development & Exploration landman for 16.5 years. He has a wealth of transaction and title experience having worked in nearly every major oil and gas basin across the country and being directly involved in over $13 Billion of acquisitions, divestitures, and merger transactions. In his early tenure at WLS, Steve has been responsible for establishing an environmental regulatory compliance service and identifying new business opportunities for our clients.
Brant Gossett
PM: GIS
Brant joined WLS in 2022 as the GIS manager. He graduated from Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Geographic Information Science. He has over 10 years’ experience in the oil and gas service industry, implementing GIS technologies. Brant began his career at Dawson Geophysical Company, as a GIS Analyst, and eventually moved his way up to Geomatics Manager, where he oversaw the GIS team and Survey Crews. He has a strong passion for GIS and enjoys finding new ways to show the value of a map. He is responsible for leading the GIS team, mentoring, and engaging anywhere GIS support is needed. Outside of work, Brant enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his wife and 3 kids!
marissa granger
PM: TITLE
Marissa started with WLS in 2013 and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Central Michigan University. Marissa’s expertise includes title, abstracting, curative, heirship, and due diligence for projects nationwide. Now a Curative & Due Diligence team lead, she is helping fuel the growth of Western’s MidCon presence. She is a member of the American Association of Professional Landmen. Marissa enjoys ice fishing, road trips, concerts, and spending time with family & friends!
josh gately
PM: LAND
Josh has been in the land business since 2010. Over the course of his career, Josh has performed extensive mineral and WI title throughout Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. He has also managed and participated in multiple due diligence and leasing projects. Currently, Josh heads up Western Land’s OCC efforts, maintaining strong relationships with the OCC and various law firms in the area. To date, he has provided expert testimony on over 1300 cases at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Free time is enjoyed by spending time with his wife and three boys!
james thompson
PD: RENEWABLES
James joined WLS through the Barton Land acquisition and began his career in the industry in 2006. Over the years, James has worked the STACK, SCOOP, Marcellus, Utica, Permian, and Antrim, plays, performing open mineral & HBP title, mineral & surface leasing, site acquisition, curative, due diligence, damage negotiations, and project management. He is a member of OCAPL and AAPL. James enjoys spending time with his wife and 5 children (running from one sporting event to another), and is a life-long St. Louis Cardinals and Notre Dame fan!
tim dekorte
PM: RENEWABLES
Tim started with WLS in 2017 and received his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies & Sustainability from Northern Michigan University. Since then, his work experience has included a variety of land work involving title, GIS, ROW acquisition, Oil & Gas land acquisition, spanning from Oklahoma to eastern Appalachia.
Tim has transitioned his passion for land work into the renewable energy sector where he has leased land for utility scale solar projects and battery storage. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, going skiing, and watching Red Wings hockey!
wayne gill
PM: RENEWABLES
Wayne started his interest with oil and gas back in the early 1970’s doing shallow well production in Southern Kentucky with his Father. After a long successful career in sales that interest never left. He started with WLS in January of 2012. As a result of the passion felt, Wayne has successfully procured thousands of leases for our clients. This has ranged from Oil & Gas land acquisition to securing right of way for pipelines. Including but not limited to gas, oil, water, and transmission lines. Many of these being projects that were either under the guidelines of FERC or working within the constraints of gas storage fields. As our Industry transitioned to adjust for renewable opportunities so did he. He has gained site control for solar, wind and battery storage within PJM ,MISO, SPP and ISIO-NE consisting of over 3.5 million MW in the past three years. Having Coached High School Athletics for over 25 years, watching his Grandchildren compete is extremely special. He Loves collector cars, hunting and family time.
Jake Mcneil
PM: COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Jake joined WLS in 2018. He received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and has over 9 years of comprehensive experience in title, curative, due diligence, leasing, and project management in the oil and gas and renewable sectors of the energy industry. Jake is now working in the Commercial Real Estate division of the company and is responsible for overseeing all commercial title services projects in the Western region of the U.S. Jake is an avid Texas A&M football fan and enjoys playing golf with his friends or family.
Brian West
PM: COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE / RENEWABLES
Brian joined WLS in 2021 managing Title projects in the Commercial Real Estate and Renewable Energy divisions of the company. Brian has 11+ years of experience in the land industry with over 8 years of that time being spent in a management role working on a variety of title, leasing and due diligence projects. Coming in with experience in Oklahoma and its surrounding states, along with multiple Appalachian states, Brian now oversees projects covering the majority of the Western U. S. In his spare time, Brian is an avid musician and outdoorsman who enjoys having cookouts and spending time with his friends and family.
JAiME SCHRICK
PM: LAND
A native Oklahoman and graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Jaime has over 10 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, and joined WLS in 2021. While Jaime started his career in Appalachia, he has since gained extensive knowledge in almost every major basin, with a focus on the Permian and Anadarko. He has managed numerous title, leasing, HBP, and curative projects, including due diligence for transactions valued between $4 million and $3.5 billion. His well-rounded understanding of the industry and breadth of experience allows him to determine the most efficient approach to projects and deliver timely, accurate results to his clients. Jaime is a Certified Professional Landman, as well as a member of the AAPL and OCAPL.
mat dailey
PM: LAND
Residing in NE Pennsylvania, Mat brings 11+ years of industry experience to the WLS team. An experienced project manager, he has spanned the country from Texas, to Wyoming, to Appalachia, leading acquisition, title, and due diligence projects, among others. Getting his start in Texas as a turboCAD mapper, Mat has developed into a versatile project manager, ready to tackle any project. He is an active member of AAPL. Mat enjoys the outdoors —hunting and fishing with his kids, coaching little league baseball, running, and golfing.