Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast

Episode 102 - Joey Wilson, PE, PLS - President of Wilson and Associates

This episode of “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast” features executive Director Curt Sumner chatting with Joey Wilson, PE, PLS from Franklin, Tennessee. He is the President of Wilson and Associates, a second-generation engineering, surveying, and environmental firm.

Episode 101 - Les Van Horn and the Brown County GIS

As we gear up for the upcoming “Survey & GIS Summit” co-hosted by NSPS and URISA, we take a trip back to the early days of surveyors and land administration This episode of “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast” finds us talking with Les Van Horn, PLS, and husband of Lisa Van Horn, PLS, the immediate Past-President of NSPS. Les recently chatted with Tim Burch about his start in surveying and how his passion for the profession has provided a great journey in and around Brown County, Wisconsin. As the County Surveyor for many years, he led the effort to create a cadaster of parcels based upon the many different land systems in his region. Les talked about the importance of political relationship to support and fund the critical records database and field operations for creating and maintaining a bountiful GIS for public use. A great conversation with an icon from the Badger State.

Thank you for listening to this episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast and send us comments on our topics and ideas for future recordings. We appreciate being able to provide great content that is useful and interesting!

Welcome to the 100th episode of “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast”!

Welcome to the 100th episode of “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast”!

When NSPS began the process for replacing its venerable “NSPS Radio Hour” on internet radio, we knew it would take some time, work, and learning some new skills to put together our own podcast. While the format has changed, the transformation to a podcast medium has allowed us to attract more guests from around the globe and introduce many more topics than before.

This week is no different, as we meet our coordinators for the upcoming “Survey & GIS Summit” co-hosted by NSPS and URISA. Brent Jones (EP79) and Linda Foster (EP81) are leading the charge to bring a virtual conference event that has plenty to offer to the GIS and surveying professions together. Listen in on the details of the origin of the conference, evolution to today’s version, and where this endeavor can take both professions.

Thank you for tuning into “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast” and listen for the question to enter into our drawing for great prizes. Simply email the answer to info@nsps.us.com to enter the drawing for shirts, hats, Yetis, and more!  The deadline is enter is Wednesday, October 20 at 5:00 pm Eastern. And watch social media for more announcements about future episodes and guests!

Episode 99 - This episode is with Virginia Winberg, a PLS from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, (Minnesota, for those who don’t know that tidbit).

Chalk up another great conversation with a true role model! Our chat this week for Episode 99 of “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast” is with Virginia Winberg, a PLS from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, (Minnesota, for those who don’t know that tidbit). Tim Burch sat down with Virginia to talk about her involvement in the Women’s Survey Summit AND the Future Surveyor’s Foundation with our previous “Surveyor Says!” guests, Anna Rios (EP21) and Heather Sides (EP95). She also shared her recent experience at the Minnesota State Fair (exhibiting for 12 days!) and spreading the survey gospel to fair goers. Virginia talked about what makes a great mentor and how we need to continue to give back to our wonderful profession.

Thank you for tuning into this episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast and keep watching social media for our announcements regarding Episode 100 and cool prizes!

Episode 87 - Norm Ellerbrock sat down with Tim Burch to talk about his introduction into surveying, starting his own business, and how mentoring is important to teaching the future practitioners.

This episode of “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast” highlights the Certified Survey Technician (CST) program during a conversation with Norm Ellerbrock, a CST Board member. He recently sat down with Tim Burch to talk about his introduction into surveying, starting his own business, and how mentoring is important to teaching the future practitioners. Norm provides an overview of the program, the pathway to certification on two tracks to four levels, and preparation for taking a CST exam. He also shares the importance having CST employees for an advantage as a business owner in both experience and prequalification for certain projects. Norm also shared how to become a proctor for potential exam takers as well as finding a proctor if an applicant cannot find one.

If you are interested in giving back to the profession and future surveyors, then CST could be your answer! The CST Board is looking for future members to help administer, grade, and review test questions for our future technicians. For more information, go to cstnsps.com for more information. And stay tuned for more great episodes of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast.

Episode 86 - NSPS Registered Lobbyist John “JB” Byrd and host Curt Sumner discuss the status of several Bills in the U S Congress.

NSPS Registered Lobbyist John “JB” Byrd and host Curt Sumner discuss the status of several Bills in the U S Congress about which NSPS has an interest, as well as the importance of NSPS collaborating within various coalitions related to GPS, and the importance of the NSPS PAC.

Episode 84 - Jim Coan joins host Curt Sumner to talk not only about his perspective as the NSPS Director representing the LSAW, but also about his career.

Jim Coan joins host Curt Sumner to talk not only about his perspective as the NSPS Director representing the Land Surveyors Association of Washington (LSAW), but also about his career and dedication to teaching those who are interested in becoming involved in surveying. He also talks about his most recent motorcycling adventure.

Episode 70 - In keeping with the theme of Women’s History Month, our very special guest for this episode is Juliana Blackwell, Director of the National Geodetic Survey (NGS).

In keeping with the theme of Women’s History Month, our very special guest for this episode is Juliana Blackwell, Director of the National Geodetic Survey (NGS). She recently talked with Tim Burch to share her career path leading up to her current position at the helm of the nation’s oldest federal science agency. From her days on a NOAA research ship, in the field with a survey crew collecting geodetic information, to the floor of the United Nations coordinating geopotential reference frames, Juliana’s story is fascinating and inspiring. She reiterates the importance of the need for upgrading the national spatial reference system (NSRS) to steer our future of autonomous guidance.

We are proud of our partnership with Juliana and NGS, so thanks for listening to this episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast.

Episode 69 - Our 2nd episode for Women’s History Month goes “down under” with a lovely chat with Peta Cox, an Australian surveyor based in New South Wales.

Our second episode for Women’s History Month goes “down under” with a lovely chat with Peta Cox, an Australian surveyor based in New South Wales. She recently time warped with Tim Burch (a 17-hour time difference!) to discuss the similarities of surveying on either side of the Pacific Ocean. Peta talked about her early interest in being outside being key to her choosing land surveying, teaching introductory surveying classes all about the basics, and coming back to the private sector to oversee survey projects throughout southeastern Australia. She also shared how her love for the profession urged her to start the “Defining Boundaries” podcast to capture the stories of surveying for memorializing forever. (Look for the podcast on all major streaming services.)

Thanks again to Peta for taking time out of her busy schedule to be featured here on “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast.

Episode 68 - With March being Women’s History Month, we start strong with our “Future Focus” series and welcoming Sarah Walker, a dynamic Nevada Young Surveyor.

With March being Women’s History Month, we start strong with our “Future Focus” series and welcoming Sarah Walker, a dynamic Nevada Young Surveyor who recently passed both of her NCEES exams. She recently sat down with Tim Burch to discuss how she was introduced to surveying, how she enjoys doing boundary retracement, and weekends on her dirt bike finding new mountain trails. Sarah also shares how important having a mentor is to her professional development and working towards being able to teach surveying in the future. She also talked about the success of building the Nevada Young Surveyors Network (50+ members!) through networking and sharing experiences.

The future of surveying will be bright with more young professionals like Sarah and we appreciate her being our guest here on “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast.