Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast

Episode 126 - This week’s episode is the next installment of our “What is Surveying?” series and focusing on the complementary geospatial service of aerial photography and LiDAR data collection.

This week’s episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast is the next installment of our “What is Surveying?” series and focusing on the complementary geospatial service of aerial photography and LiDAR data collection. Tim Burch recently sat down with Bill Johnson, VP, and Stephanie Beckham, Director of Business Development for DAS Geospatial, providers of aerial photogrammetry and LiDAR services with offices in Texas and New Mexico, to talk about the importance of large format survey data collection in the age of UAVs. The firm’s roots began with Bill’s father in 1977, so he has experiences from the manual photography and drafting days to current technology that includes computer automation. They also spoke of the importance of business development and Stephanie’s role of building relationships with clients as an extension of simply delivering data.

Thanks to Bill and Stephanie for making time to talk about how important airplane- and helicopter-based data collection remains to the surveying profession AND how much they rely on surveyors to help put all the geospatial pieces together. Stay tuned to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast for more great topics and guests to come!

Episode 125 - Tim Burch connects with our fellow surveying contemporaries from around the globe with this week’s guest, Michelle Blicavs, Assoc. of Consulting Surveyors based in Sydney, Australia.

Once again, “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast connects with our fellow surveying contemporaries from around the globe with this week’s guest, Michelle Blicavs, CEO, Association of Consulting Surveyors based in Sydney, Australia. Tim Burch caught up with Michelle to discuss the current climate for surveying in Australia, how one becomes a registered surveyor, and how technical surveyors are a large part of the future of the profession. She also explained how specialization of the profession is becoming more important with the transition to digital cadasters and remote sensing data collection. Michelle explained the role of her organization in the promotion of the profession, including career fairs in high schools. She also stressed that providing business-related seminars to registered surveyors has been key in increasing their knowledge charging what their services are truly worth. 

The big takeaway from this conversation is that surveying in the US is not unique with our struggles to find the next generation of surveyors, but we can learn from each other on how to promote the profession in a positive manner. Thanks for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast. 

Episode 124 - The NSPS Podcast finds us in the Dallas suburb of Farmer’s Branch and catching up with an energetic survey technician who “found” surveying through a unique job opportunity after HS.

Hello from Texas! This episode “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast finds us in the Dallas suburb of Farmer’s Branch and catching up with an energetic survey technician who “found” surveying through a unique job opportunity after high school. Our guest today is Allie Sparkman, a born and bred Texan who works for Lina T. Ramey and Associates. After traveling the world with her father measuring building interiors on military bases, she transferred that experience into a career of surveying. With the help of her supervisor and mentor, Christopher Freeman, RPLS, she has excelled in her career through on-the-job training AND enrollment in surveying classes at Dallas College. Tim Burch (who also worked for Chris a long, long time ago!) sat down with Allie to discuss her excitement for surveying and establishing goals for future licensure.  

This conversation is a great example of getting younger generations into survey and watching them grow in a career they truly enjoy. Thanks for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast. 

Episode 123 - The NSPS Podcast goes straight to the top of the officer list and features a conversation with our new President, Amanda Allred, PLS.

This week’s episode “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast goes straight to the top of the officer list and features a conversation with our new President, Amanda Allred, PLS. She recently joined up with Tim Burch to share her story on starting in the surveying profession, finding benefits of participating in professional associations, and networking with other surveyors. Amanda also shared her views on the importance of good mentors and their characteristics that makes them valuable. She also gave insight to her goals as President and what her vision will focus on to increase the visibility of the profession.

A big variety of guests in the coming weeks so make sure and subscribe wherever you listen. Also, check out our social media accounts for more information on upcoming episodes. Thanks for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast.

Episode 122 - Gary Kent talks surveyors off the ledge...

ATTENTION SURVEYORS!

ALTA/NSPS LAND TITLE SURVEY STANDARDS ARE HERE TO PROTECT YOU!

A recent inquiry from a surveying professional posed the following question: can a plat be titled a "ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey" without doing any field work? We bring in our resident Land Title Survey expert, Mr. Gary Kent, to pose this question and others as surveyors nationwide are under fire for cheaper surveys and quicker turnaround times.

No, you are NOT the only surveyor to refuse to do something unethical on a survey, so listen in on Gary's advice on how to deal with unreasonable clients and requests. Doing anything else may up costing your license and career.

Episode 121 - John Palatiello and Proposed Davis-Bacon Act Changes

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ALERT!

The Department of Labor has issued proposed rule changes that will include surveying under the Davis-Bacon Act, so we asked John Palatiello, NSPS Legislative Consultant, back on the podcast to discuss the issue. He shared the history of the Davis-Bacon Act and why including surveying under rules typically established for labor is a negative for the profession. John talks about how NSPS, our state affiliates, and our membership can help oppose these proposed changes so our profession will not be subject to these proposed rules.

“Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast featuring “From the Director’s Desk”

This episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast is the next installment of “From the Director’s Desk” and shares many of the recent events happening within the organization. Your host, NSPS Executive Director Tim Burch, brings the latest news from the national surveying fronts on conferences, presentations, and upcoming events and promotions. He also shares information on what the mission and charge of NSPS, and how to engage with the organization for your events.

Episode 119 - This informative episode covers the importance of contracts with our resident Land Title Survey expert, Mr. Gary Kent, PLS.

After a short break to coordinate National Surveyor’s Week and Global Surveyor’s Day, we are back! We think we made up for the absence with this week’s offering.

This informative episode covers the importance of contracts with our resident Land Title Survey expert, Mr. Gary Kent, PLS. He recently sat down with Tim Burch to discuss why a signed contract is particularly important when performing and providing a Land Title Survey along with several good tips on protecting both the surveyor and client with a solid agreement. Gary stressed the importance of spelling out which Table A items are to be included along with making it clear that the standard surveyor certification is required for the final survey. Lots of great insight from the guru of the standards, so sit back and enjoy the conversation.

We have several great guests in the coming weeks along with a few surprise announcements from NSPS so make sure and subscribe wherever you listen. Also, check out our social media accounts for more information on upcoming episodes. Thanks for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast.

Episode 118 - The Podcast dives into the deep end of the Certified Federal Surveyor program with the program manager and actual CFedS, Mr. Glen Thurow, PS, CFedS.

Ever wonder what it takes to be a CFedS? Do you want to know what makes a CFedS? This episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast dives into the deep end of the Certified Federal Surveyor program with the program manager and actual CFedS, Mr. Glen Thurow, PS, CFedS. Glen is part of the team working with the Bureau of Land Management to upgrade the existing program and provide new materials for study and continuing education. He recently sat down with Tim Burch to discuss the history of the program, the inspiration behind the creation of CFedS, and why this program fills an important role in surveying of federal and native lands across the nation. Glen shared his vision for planned improvements to the content and website access so the program value can be shared not just with prospective surveyors, but with the public entities that will benefit from this surveying knowledge.

Be sure to visit the NSPS website for more information about the upcoming National Surveyors Week and Global Surveyors Day. Thank for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast and subscribe wherever you listen to your audio selections.

Episode 117 - ”From the Director’s Desk” - This episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast begins a new informational series...

This episode of “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast begins a new informational series appropriately named “From the Director’s Desk” and shares the latest news and insight on upcoming events. The inaugural installment features information about the upcoming “NSPS Day on the Hill” taking place on March 30, 2022, and related activities along with more details about National Surveyor’s Week (March 20-26) and Global Surveyor’s Day (March 21).

For more information about these events, visit nsps.us.com for details. Also, check out the NSPS YouTube channel for the video version of this episode. Thank for listening to “Surveyor Says!” The NSPS Podcast and subscribe wherever you listen to your audio selections.