Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast

Episode 97 - Our discussion this week includes Curt Sumner, Gary Kent , and Tim Burch talk about how licensing varies nationwide.

Professional surveyors are well aware of the duties that go with being licensed; protection of the public’s safety, health, welfare, and property as related to boundaries and correctly prepared legal descriptions. The public itself, and the governmental officials they elect, often do not realize the importance of the professional land surveyor. Today’s episode of “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast” covers the topic of why licensure of surveyors is critical to public safety while attempts to include surveying in license deregulation will harm many aspects of property ownership and accurate descriptions. Our roundtable discussion includes Curt Sumner (NSPS Executive Director), Gary Kent (longtime ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Chair), and Tim Burch (NSPS President-Elect) talk about how licensing varies nationwide, the multitude of land systems, and how the educational requirements must be a significant component in the path to licensure.

High precision measurement has become the norm thanks to technology, but surveyors are relied upon for their accuracy in establish, retracement and legal descriptions of real property. This discussion establishes several good talking points for our practitioner to use when deregulation comes knocking at their door. This is one episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast you don’t want to miss!

Episode 96 - This week’s episode of “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast” allows us the opportunity to meet Christina Lee, our newest staff member.

The staff at NSPS, while small in number, carries much responsibility in their roles and the Accounting Manager is no different. This week’s episode of “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast” allows us the opportunity to meet Christina Lee, our newest staff member. Christina replaces Bob Jupin, who retired at the end of 2020 after a 13-year run with NSPS. Tim Burch recently sat down with Christina to talk about how she came to NSPS, her path to becoming an accountant, (earning THREE Master’s degrees along the way!) and adjusting to the fast-paced world of professional surveying. She shared how she quickly adapted to our means and methods as well as charting a course for NSPS to continue a strong financial portfolio. Christina also talked about fiscal responsibility in an age where fraud and theft are just a few clicks away.

As NSPS prepares for leadership changes, Christina and the other staff members provide the organization with a solid foundation into a new era. Knowing we are fiscally stable and financial outlook is looking good, we can continue to be the national representative and advocate the profession has come to expect. Thanks for tuning into this informational episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast.

Episode 95 - Today’s conversation is with DJ Kyle, the TSPS Executive Director and Heather Sides, the TSPS President-Elect (but only for another month!).

Welcome to “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast” as we welcome our distinguished affiliate, the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors. Today’s conversation is with DJ Kyle, the TSPS Executive Director and Heather Sides, the TSPS President-Elect (but only for another month!). These ladies recently caught up with Tim Burch to talk about their backgrounds, how they became involved with TSPS, and how association advocacy is an important part of the profession. Heather shared her experiences with the Texas Young Surveyors, promoting the Certified Survey Technician (CST) program, and her strategic plan for taking TSPS further forward in recruiting our future generations of surveyors. DJ spoke of the promotional work, media involvement, and conference planning that she has coordinated for TSPS to help keep surveying front and center for students and young adults. Together, these ladies, along with the chapters of TSPS, are making a difference for the profession in Texas and beyond.

This episode was a refreshingly positive conversation on the future of surveying. TSPS has taken a hands-on approach to promoting the profession and the proof is in the results. Join us for an inspiring discussion of this episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast.

Episode 94 - Tim Burch recently talked with Connie Barrett, a professional surveyor in California who also paints still life portraits in watercolors.

Welcome to “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast” and our conversation with Connie Barrett, a professional surveyor in California who also paints still life portraits in watercolors. She recently talked with Tim Burch to discuss her path into surveying (thanks to her grandfather!), getting acclimated to life here in the US versus her childhood in Yugoslavia (present day Croatia), and pursuing his professional license. Connie talks about her early love for art and how she “rediscovered” her passion while using painting for a relaxing hobby. Her artwork has been recognized throughout social media and now has presented her with the challenge of a backlog of commission work. Check out Connie’s work on many of the surveyor group pages on various platform to see why her paintings are in demand.

Connie is another great example of a positive role model for surveyors of all ages. We are very appreciative for her time to be here with us on “Surveyor Says!” and look forward to more great painting in the future.

Episode 93 - David Acosta, Chair of the NSPS Diversity Committee speaks with host Curt Sumner about the progress of ongoing activities of the committee.

NSPS is committed to insuring that it represents the interests of the diverse composition of the Professional Surveying community. David Acosta, Chair of the NSPS Diversity Committee speaks with host Curt Sumner about the progress of ongoing activities, and the Committee’s plans for further engagement. As one might expect, the Committee is comprised of individuals representing a broad cross-section within the profession.

Episode 92 - “What is Surveying?”, this episode of “Surveyor Says! finds us chasing down the original geospatial “Deadhead” Dave Doyle, our favorite retired NGS Chief Geodesist.

Continuing to ask the question “What is Surveying?”, this episode of “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast” finds us chasing down the original geospatial “Deadhead” Dave Doyle, our favorite retired NGS Chief Geodetic Surveyor. We caught up with Dave between his speaking engagements and monument hunting trips to discuss our topic and provide his perspective of surveying through the evolution of geodesy becoming an important part of positioning. He shared his story of how he was introduced to surveying (Thank you, Uncle Sam!), his early involvement with developing the NAD83 framework, and how important the proper understanding of GPS metadata is to the surveyor. Dave also highlights the importance of geospatial data by the surveyor for collaboration with the GIS community.

Thanks for tuning into this next installment of our “What is Surveying” series with another great viewpoint of the profession. We will continue to bring you those perspectives in future episodes of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast.

Episode 91 - NSPS Government Affairs Consultant John Palatiello joins host Curt Sumner to discuss the issue of Occupational Licensing.

NSPS Government Affairs Consultant John Palatiello joins host Curt Sumner to discuss the much talked about issue of Occupational Licensing, from its origins to the present-day legislation and government policy threatening licensure. Clearly, whether related to circumstances wherein licensure is critical (for Professional services such as Surveying), or whether licensure for some occupations limits competition and market entry, with no public health, safety, and welfare benefit, this podcast reviews why it is critical to actively advocate for preservation of Surveying licensure as protection for the public.

Episode 90 - Host Curt Sumner talks with Trent Turk about the SAMSOG Education Foundation, Inc. (SAMSEF) which was established by the Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia.

Host Curt Sumner talks with Trent Turk about the SAMSOG Education Foundation, Inc. (SAMSEF) which was established by the Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia. The 501c3 foundation was created to provide a tax deductible mechanism for donations of money and other gifts which can go directly to students to assist in their education related to a career in land surveying in Georgia.

 

Listeners can learn more about how the Foundation operates at: https://www.samsog.org/mpage/microsite2_subpage2_YMBLD

Episode 89 - Curt Sumner talks with Trent Keenan about his path into Surveying and passion for mentoring the next generation!

Trent talks about his path into the Surveying profession, and encourages those (including his daughter) who wish to be the next generation of surveyors to “learn a lot, and take your time” through the various steps required for licensure, and to never stop learning. He is a proponent of the 4-year degree plus experience requirement.

Trent also discusses his passion for mentoring, and the Mentoring Mondays sessions he hosts.

Episode 88 - Mark Husik, Executive Director for the New Jersey Society of Professional Land Surveyors, talks with Curt Sumner about his background and the apprenticeship program.

Mark Husik, Executive Director for the New Jersey Society of Professional Land Surveyors, talks with Curt Sumner about his background, including his work on a project initiated during the presidency of the senior President Bush, a variety of activities during his tenure with NJSPLS including the recent opening of a second surveying degree program in the state, and the circumstances related to the development of an in-state survey technician certification.