Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Throughout the many years that ACSM, and now NSPS, has been an active member of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), John Hohol has been a primary leader of the NSPS delegation. John joins host Curt Sumner to talk about the importance, and benefit, of the relationships developed with our international  peers. Among his many accomplishments in FIG is the role he played in the formation of its Foundation which raises funds to secure a sustainable future for surveyors throughout the world.