JOSEPH GILL
LEAD TITLE ANALYST
Born and raised in Western Oklahoma, Joseph has more than 12 years experience analyzing complex mineral title and more than 17 years experience with electronic data management using Excel spreadsheets and other databases. Having received his computer science degree in 1997 from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, in Weatherford, Oklahoma, where he graduated magna cum laude, Joseph continued advanced studies in computer programming at the Digipen Institute of Technology, in Redmond, Washington. He is well versed in a number of programing and database languages, including C/C++, SQL, and Javascript. His leadership in IT combined with his expertise in title analysis ensures that our clients receive some of the most comprehensive and sophisticated work product available in the industry. Joseph has helped in pioneering unique approaches to integrating and summarizing large volumes of data for horizontal unit development.
Before joining Abadie | Schill, Joseph spent a number of years in Oklahoma as a Petroleum Landman, analyzing title for both acquisition projects and exploration. He works out of Abadie | Schill’s Denver Office, and in his spare time, pursues his interests in history and family genealogy.
ELISE ALBOSTA
Senior Paralegal & Title Analyst
Elise moved from Michigan to Durango, CO in 2003 where she currently lives with her husband and two daughters. Elise has been with Abadie | Schill for 12 years and has 21 total years of experience as a paralegal.
Elise and her husband, Andy, spent many years pursuing their love for rock climbing. Since starting a family they spend their time doing just about anything in the great outdoors with their girls.
LESLEY FORREST
PARALEGAL & TITLE ANALYST
Lesley grew up in the panhandle of Texas and is a 2007 graduate of Oklahoma State University, receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Design, Housing and Merchandising with special interest in Interior Architecture and Environmental Design. Lesley graduated from the Kanakuk Institute in 2008. After taking a year to travel and visit 15 different countries, she began working with Camp Kivu as the International Vision Trip Director, leading teams of teenagers on volunteer trips all over the world.
In June of 2014, Lesley decided to call Durango her home and began working with Abadie | Schill as a Legal Assistant, supporting the attorneys in all areas of the preparation of acquisition, drilling and division order title opinions. She has great interest in the historical aspect of allotted Indian lands and enjoys working with Excel to construct Chains of Title.
In her free time, Lesley loves being with friends and family, snuggling her dog, reading, paddle boarding and taking long hikes into the mountains, her highest being the summit of Kilimanjaro at 19,300’ in 2011.
EMILY HILL
SENIOR TITLE ANALYST
Emily graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. She spent 5 years working in hydrology and residential design as a Civil Engineer. She has been in the Oil and Gas Industry for over 10 years, with experience in Joint Interest Billing, Accounting, Title Research and Title Opinion Development. Before she and her husband had their two sons, she was a Competitive Gymnastics Coach for over 15 years. As a family, they love to spend time with their community, cook and travel.
STEPHEN O’CONNER
TITLE ANALYST
Originally from Montana, Stephen grew up in Denver, Colorado, before moving to Southwest Colorado. In 2019, he graduated from Fort Lewis College with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, earning a nomination for outstanding graduating student. Stephen subsequently joined Abadie | Schill as a Title Analyst.
Stephen is experienced in programming with a variety of languages, including C++, Python, and R; one of his current personal projects is designing a music curation algorithm in Python. In his free time, Stephen plays saxophone, recreational hockey and soccer, and reads science fiction.
SEAN BOYD
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS
Sean joined Abadie | Schill in May of 2016 as the Director of Business. A resident of Norman, OK, Sean excels in managing relationships with existing clients as well as developing new relationships within the oil and gas industry. His skills are best put to use helping our clients know on a regular basis that we sincerely appreciate their partnership. Since graduating from Price College of Business, University of Oklahoma with a bachelor of arts in Marketing in 2005, he has been in business development roles successfully helping companies grow by aligning client expectations with company offerings.
Sean and his wife Stacie have four beautiful children. His passions include fitness, golf, coaching his children’s sports teams, helping college students find success while in school, and building lasting relationships with people.
KAIYA DEWEY TOOP
PARALEGAL
Kaiya is a Colorado native who left the state with no plans to ever return. However, after spending several years on the west coast, she found herself back in Durango in 2006. Since then Kaiya has been a business owner, worked for several non-profits and is married with two fantastic, high-energy kids. Kaiya, her husband, Adam, and the boys, enjoy their time rafting, snowboarding, camping, and enjoying all the amazing outdoor activities this area has to offer.
Kaiya started at Abadie | Schill in January, 2019 as an Administrative Assistant and paralegal.