Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast

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.

Episode 66 - Did you know that a professional surveyor can also be a proficient timpanist? We have one, and he is also an officer of NSPS!

Did you know that a professional surveyor can also be a proficient timpanist? We have one, and he is also an officer of NSPS!

This episode of “Surveyor Says!” highlights a conversation with Bob Miller, PLS, and NSPS Treasurer. He recently chatted with Tim Burch to talk about his roundabout start in surveying, finding the right mentor, and how learning the basics of surveying are still key factor to success in the profession. Bob shares his experiences from both the field and office perspective, as he highlights how having a good understanding of both is critical to the surveyor’s career. Now if he would just quit having those nightmares about the turkey farm!

Thanks for joining us to learn more about the elected officers here on “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast.

Episode 62 - Are you ready for the new 2021 ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards? If not, we have Gary Kent back again this week!

Are you ready for the new 2021 ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards? If not, we have Gary Kent back again to walk us through the revisions to the optional Table A items. He recently spoke with Tim Burch on the changes and tips on how to make them be most effective for relaying information to your client. Gary also provides some history behind a few of the items and how the list has evolved for the upcoming standard. We have a few short weeks until the new standard becomes the norm, so join us on a fascinating discussion during a truly “Table A Talk” here on “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast.

Episode 60 - We invited Dr. Marian Young, a recently retired educator from East Tennessee State University, to share her story of teaching our wonderful profession for the past few decades

Hello 2021 and a new year of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast! For our first episode back from the holidays, we invited Dr. Marian Young, a recently retired educator from East Tennessee State University, to share her story of teaching our wonderful profession for the past few decades. She recently talked with Tim Burch to look fondly back at her early years in Indiana, attending and teaching at Purdue University, getting her PhD at the University of Wisconsin, and taking her final position at ETSU. They cover the technological changes in surveying yet how the basic are still the core of the profession. She also shares how surveying is an attractive profession to all genders and races who have an aptitude for solving puzzles and enjoy mathematics.

Thanks for joining us on our kickoff to 2021 on “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast.