In this episode of The Landcast, Brandon and Jeremy sit down with Nick Welch, owner of Welch Abstract & Title, to explore an incredible 47-year career spanning oil and gas, coal, commercial title, telecom infrastructure, right-of-way acquisition, and land management. Nick shares how he got his start as a 19-year-old landman, the mentors who shaped his career, and the industry crashes that forced him to adapt and reinvent himself time and time again. Along the way, he worked across the country on everything from mineral title and coal mining projects to fiber optic networks and major commercial developments. The conversation includes:
- How Nick got started in the land business
- Lessons learned from nearly five decades in the industry
- The 1986 oil crash and its impact on land professionals
- Running title in oil and gas, coal, and BLM lands
- The transition from landman to business owner
- Why history and detective work are essential skills for title professionals
- Memorable courthouse discoveries and land stories
- The evolution of right-of-way and acquisition work
- What makes a great landman today
Plus, Nick shares fascinating stories involving abandoned coal mines, early oil booms, commercial title projects, and even an unexpected connection to Elvis Presley.