Leadership & Key Personnel

The founders of Salem earned their stripes with extensive tenure as land agents, in senior land department executive roles, and in top-tier positions with leading supplemental staffing companies. Available to meet with you personally to discuss and support your initiatives, they will provide you with superior resources, responsiveness, and results: service without excuses.

A founding principal, Jeff oversees all corporate operational and strategic matters. Under his leadership, direction, and vision, Salem has distinguished itself as a preeminent leader and one of the largest, fastest-growing firms in the land and right-of-way industry. This distinction has been earned through a continual commitment to uncompromising standards of conduct and ethics and a redefinition of best-in-class service.

Prior to founding Salem, Jeff served as the Manager of the Land Department of a major interstate transmission company where his responsibilities included the direction, coordination, and administration of all construction projects, fee and leased properties, 20,000 miles of right of way, and 7 fully-staffed district offices within a 16-state area. This is where he learned first-hand what is, perhaps, the most important lesson influencing his business today: what it means to be a client. Having entered this industry from your standpoint first, he has a great understanding of what clients need, and when and how they need it.

In total, Jeff has over 30 years of land and right-of-way experience, as well as broad knowledge of business management. He is an active member of the International Right of Way Association and the American Association of Professional Landmen. He is always interested in discussing, meeting, or consulting with you regarding your land or right of way matters.

Mark S. Malacord has nearly 30 years of experience in the land and right of way profession with real estate emphasis in the transmission industry. Since 1996, Mark has served as the company's Vice President, heading Salem's office in Bellaire, Texas. By working in concert with President & General Manager Jeff Richardson, Mark has established Salem as one of the leading land and right-of-way service firms in the nation.

As Vice President, Mark's responsibilities include business development, management/oversight of work projects, evaluation, staffing and management of professional land personnel, and acting as a liaison between field activities and Salem client management.

Prior to joining Salem, he was Regional District Landman for Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America where he supervised all land and right of way activities for pipeline operations, maintenance, and construction projects in Texas, Louisiana, and the entire Gulf Coast Region.

Mark has studied geology and business management, and he continues to keep his knowledge current by regularly attending seminars and meetings sponsored by the Southern Gas Association, Office of Pipeline Safety, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. He is a member of Gulf States Chapter 8 of the International Right of Way Association.

Please feel free to contact Mark Malacord, as he is always interested in discussing land and right of way matters and helping you achieve your objectives.