Some of our events include: monthly luncheons, educational seminars and social gatherings. Monthly luncheons include speakers on land related topics ranging from surveying to water right updates. Establishment of NLA
NLA was formally established in July, 1982 and has now been in existence for over 38 years. The Idea and Founding
In the summer of 1981, Cy Wilsey moved to Reno from Casper, WY. Denn
y McHarness also moved to Reno in the summer of 1981. Cy began asking around if there was a landmen’s association in Reno. Not having found one, he began to make inquiries through his Reno contacts in the business, namely Richard Harris, Ann Marie Harris and Denny McHarness. In May, 1982, the four of them met in Richard & Ann Marie’s garden. They decided that Reno, with its increasing importance in the exploration and mining industry, needed a landmen’s association. The idea that a Reno association could be started was born. In June, 1982, the four of them met again at Richard & Ann Marie’s home and they jointly wrote a set of by-laws, mainly using AAPL and Wyoming association by-laws as a model. Being satisfied with their work, they then decided to formally incorporate the association. Richard Harris prepared and submitted the original articles of incorporation to the Nevada Secretary of State. On July 19, 1982, the Nevada Landmen’s Association, Inc. was officially incorporated under Nevada Entity Number C4239-1982-001 as a Domestic Non-Profit Corporation. No stock was issued. The first NLA officers were:
President: Ann Marie Harris
Vice-President: Denny McHarness
Secretary: Cy Wilsey
Meetings. Meetings were held monthly, from September to May and occasionally in June if there was a hot topic. Meetings typically consist of usual business, followed by round table discussions and guest speakers who present facts on current land-related events of interest to the exploration and mining industry. We had many notable speakers at the NLA luncheons; including Jim Gibbons (prior to his
election as governor) and Barbara Vucanovich (a truly gracious lady). Meeting locations over the years have changed, depending on our attendance and space availability. We first met at the Reno Elks Lodge, then moved to the Peppermill, followed by Amelia’s, Louie’s Basque Corner, Famous Murphy’s and Heidi’s in no particular order. Meetings in the Peppermill years were often 50 or more. Meetings
currently attract ~15 and are presently held on the third Thursday of the month at Black Bear Diner in Reno. Early Records and Activities
Efforts are under way to find and retrieve our earliest records. The founders’ panel reminisced about the earliest members and activities. Many early members are listed
below in no particular order – and apologies are made for any that we may have missed. They were Mark Reece, Joyce Hall, Roger Gash, Linda Riggs, Charlie Dowd, George Decker, Mike Evans, Craig Haas, Richard Moorhead, Mike Perry, Dave Parker, Tim Dyhr and Edd Jackson and Tom Rice. Other early members were Eldon Dickson, Rob Berry, Tom Erwin, Mona Dardanis, Gary Thomas, Tracy Guinand, Barbara Bressler, Rick Dunn, Blaine Andrus, Dan Schneider, Susie Mason, Sylvia Good, Doug Hirschmann, Tom Roesch and Richard Thompson. Many of these members are still in the business. Long-time members Mona Dardanis, Sylvia Good, Barbara Bressler, Dan Schneider and Blain Andrus have passed on to higher ground. They are missed. In 1985-86, the NLA needed a logo. That was designed and submitted by Doug Hirschmann – it was approved and is still in use today. Thanks Doug! From inception to the early 1990’s, the NLA grew rapidly. There was increasing interest in affiliating with the American Association of Petroleum Landmen and the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. In 1985-86, the NLA formally affiliated with the AAPL. There was some hesitation at first about AAPL affiliation because their name said PETROLEUM Landmen. After some constructive discussions with the NLA and other hard minerals groups, the AAPL changed its name to American Association of Professional Landmen. The AAPL had been offering a certification program (Certified Professional Landman - CPL) starting in the late 1970’s. In the late 80’s, they added the designation of Registered
Professional Landman or RPL for members not having the CPL. Roger Gash was the first NLA member to become a CPL, Cy Wilsey the second; Susie Mason and Edd Jackson followed shortly thereafter. Tom Rice headed up the efforts to affiliate the NLA with Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation and served as the first trustee representing the NLA – probably in 1986-87 - the poor guy can’t remember just when that occurred, but he promises to research it. The NLA has maintained its affiliation with the RMMLF. MALRI
The Mining & Geothermal Conference, now affectionately known as MALRI, originated circa 1983 and was jointly sponsored by the NLA and the Rocky Mountain Association of Mineral Landmen. Early conferences alternated between Denver and Reno, but in 1990, Reno became the permanent location for the annual conferences. The Rocky Mountain Landmen’s Association dwindled in the late 80’s, and their conference sponsorship was picked up by the AAPL. The conference has continued in Reno under joint NLA and AAPL sponsorship ever since. In the mid 1990’s, the name was changed to the
Mining and Land Resources Institute - MALRI. This conference has provided a top level of subjects and discussions over the years. We are sure to continue with this year’s excellent program. In 1992, there were about 135 members including landmen, geologists and other exploration service providers. There are currently 62 paid members for the 2013 year. Politics. In 1992, major congressional pressure to reform the 1872 mining law was on the horizon. Prior to the 1992 election, the NLA printed, signed and mailed thousands of blue cards opposing the change. The NLA sent them to every legislator in Washington, D.C. as well as to hundreds of mining and exploration service and supply providers. Our efforts were widely noted and acknowledged, but ultimately unsuccessful. The congress passed a mining appropriations bill which imposed the heavy annual maintenance fee on mining claims. The increased claim fees, along with ever tightening environmental, permitting and bond requirements put significant additional expense on the industry. Adding to the downturn was a decrease in virtually all metals prices. Dark Years
The NLA membership was directly impacted and began a serious decline. Many landmen transferred elsewhere and some left the business completely. By the end of 1995, the NLA was in default with the State of Nevada for failure to file annual lists of officers and to pay the required fees. The original Nevada Landmen’s Association, Inc. was eventually revoked after continued failures to file and pay fees. But not was all lost. Rebirth
The NLA continued on “clandestinely” and in 2009, it was once again formally reincorporated in Nevada with the new number of E0207342009-2. It has been continually registered ever since. Another thank you goes to Richard Harris, who got us revived as a corporation and is our resident agent. Our Association is now doing just fine. The current year NLA officers are:
President: Dave Donnelly
Vice President: Michael Sena
Secretary: Tracy Guinand
Treasurer: Khatlyn Micheli
AAPL Director: Ryan Bensing
RMMLF Representative: Jeff Failliers
Web Master: Tasha Caple
NLA MISSION STATEMENT
To Advance The Profession Of Landmen In The Minerals Industry,
To Promote A High Level Of Professionalism And Ethics Among The Membership Through Programs Of Continuing Education,
To Cultivate Cordial Relations Among The Membership,
To Foster Cooperation And Understanding Between The Minerals Industry And Government Agencies. Founded
1982
