Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador William Berthold who is covering the area of Greater St. Louis Area, Missouri, USA:
How did you get into surveying?
I was introduced to surveying as a young boy when I helped my dad stake out the foundation for a house at Lake of the Ozarks. We used my great-grandfathers Keuffel and Esser transit, a plumb bob, a range pole and a tape to do the job. Later in college I worked for my uncle during the summers on his survey crew and learned a lot. I really enjoyed the combination of history, math and technology, and judgement we use in land surveying and still do.
What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I would like to start a program with a local high school where we hire an intern or two every year to learn about land surveying by working with myself and my crew at Pitzman’s Co. of Surveyors. Most people have no idea what land surveyors do.
Tell us a bit about what you do? I do a lot of different things in land surveying. Surveying property boundaries and easements, topography, roads and utilities. Researching old documents and records for information and clues. Staking out new buildings under construction. Measuring and monitoring structures for settlement. Laser scanning factories.
Anything else you’d like to add? Yes, land surveying is a wonderful profession for curious and engaged people to become part of. It is a very unusual combination of being a historian, a detective, a scientist, and an outdoor adventurer that very few, if any, professions can combine.
Ambassador Spotlight ‘Vincent O’Kane’
Welcoming Vincent O’Kane our latest Brand Ambassador representing Scotland, UK:
How did you get into surveying? Studied Geomatics at University of Glasgow. Always had a keen interest in Geography.
What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I am engaging with DYF (Developing the Young Workforce) in Scotland reaching out to high school children who are close to making career choices. We are attending careers fayres and plan to give in class talks. I would also like to engage more with younger children to raise awareness of our profession and likely career path.
Tell us a bit more about what you do? I am the Operations Director at Malcolm Hughes. I started my career as a land surveyor gradually gaining on site experience before transitioning into a managerial (Survey manager) role. Recently I have moved on into a directorship promoting the business and looking after over all operations.
Character Spotlight ‘Precision Surveys’
Welcoming our latest West Coast Brand Sponsor, Precision Surveys Inc! Let’s learn some more about them:
1. Company Name –
Precision Surveys Inc. — we’re all about keeping it on time and on target!
2. Location –
Our main office is in Albuquerque, NM though we have locations in other areas around the state and even do work outside of New Mexico.
3. Why is it important for your company to help Get Kids into Survey?
The next generation is our future; they are the ones that will keep this profession alive. Helping kids get into survey means they’ll be the ones who map out the world, discover new places, and keep everything running smoothly. Who doesn’t want to be a hero in the land of maps?
4. What do you do?
I’m the fastest and most accurate roadrunner around! As a member of the Precision Surveys team, I help with all kinds of geospatial tasks, from boundary surveys to topographic surveys to easements and so much more.No matter the task, this bird always aims to be on time and on target.
5. How long have you been in the survey industry?
Oh, I’ve been zipping around in the survey industry for quite a few years! After learning about the field in high school I was hooked.
6. How did you end up getting into the geospatial industry?
Well, I’ve always been good at finding my way—whether it’s through the wild deserts of New Mexico or figuring out the fastest way to get to the office. After discovering how awesome maps and technology are, I realized that I could help make the world a little more precise with my speed and skills. So, I joined the team at Precision Surveys to put my talents to good use!
7. State a funny fact about you…
I’m so fast, I’ve been known to outrun my own shadow! Sometimes I zip by so quickly, people think I’m a blur of feathers. It’s not easy being this fast, but I manage!
8. Favorite piece of kit and why?
My favorite piece of kit is a laser scanner! It’s like having a superpower — I can capture every little detail of the landscape in 3D with precision that’s laser sharp. Plus, it’s quick — which means I don’t have to slow down to get the perfect scan!
9. Favorite Survey technique and why?
I’m all about scanning! It’s the best way to capture everything in a single pass and get super accurate 3D data. As someone who’s always on the move, it’s the perfect technique for someone like me. I can zip through an area and get all the detail I need in a fraction of the time, making it easy to create detailed, precise models of the land.
11. How did you choose the character and what does he/she/it represent? Mean to you? What’s his/her name?
We chose the name Lazer the Navigator because as a roadrunner he’s fast and precise, just like a laser! Plus, this bird is our state bird! The character represents agility, accuracy, and a love for exploration. To us, it’s all about helping others find their way, whether that’s with a map or a GPS signal.
Ambassador Spotlight ‘Denis Hains’
Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador Denis Hains who is covering the area of Ontario, Canada! Let’s learn some more about him:
How did you get into surveying? I have a B.Sc. in Geodesy. I am now a retired Quebec Land Surveyor in Canada, still professionally very active.
What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador?
I want to be a multiplier effect to the “GET KIDS INTO SURVEY’s” vision, mission and objectives by using my own professional global networks primarily through the LinkedIn professional network as well as through my own professional network and activities when participation at international conferences.
Anything else you’d like to add? This is GREAT to reach KIDS to inform them of the fantastic and exciting possibilities into survey and primarily into HYDROSPATIAL the side of surveying
Tell us a bit about what you do: I am still very active in the global Hydrospatial Domain and community https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12556091/ . I have my own consulting company and I am also member of many international Boards and organisations in the Hydrospatial in a Pro Bono manner.
Where did you study?
Most of my experience came from on-the-job training and my degree is from Metropolitan Community College
What are the requirements to be a surveyor in your area?
In Nebraska you must demonstrate you have the experience and time requirements under the supervision of a PLS.
How did you get into surveying?
I started in surveying when I was 13 years old while working for my family’s surveying company in the summers.
*If you are not a surveyor, what do you do?
I work in surveying, but also have done Civil Engineering design work, CAD drafting, UAS (Drone) pilot and data processing. I currently teach civil engineering and land surveying at my local college.
How long have you been in the industry?
25+ years
Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention?
NSPS, SENLSA, PSAN, ASPRS
Why are you volunteering as a GKiS Brand Ambassador?
I attend career fairs, exploration days, conferences and many more event often and believe the best way to get the word out about this great profession is to meet with as many people as possible.
Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry?
Surveying has been around for so long, and is so important for so many projects we encounter every day we need to invest in the next generation to ensure we have qualified people in the future.
What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS?
Meet with hundreds of students per year and get the word out about all of the fun work we do in surveying.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
My hobby is work, I love my job! But I also enjoy working on cars in my spare time.
If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be?
My character would be a surveyor from the 1800’s who’s landed in present day!
What resource would you like to see next from GKiS?
More handouts, exercises for various ages including the older students and an interactive website I can show a QR code to students to access.
Ambassador Spotlight ‘Claire Buxton’
Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador Claire Buxton who is covering the area of Western Canada! Let’s learn some more about her:
How did you get into surveying? My Mum took me to a careers advisor when I was 17 who recommended I look into surveying because I liked the outdoors and maths (although English was my strong-suit). Then I went to the open-day at the Survey School at Otago University and they showed me all the cool tech they learn about and use. They also spoke about the lack of female surveyors and I saw that as a challenge I would like to meet head-on!
What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I like to give back to my profession which has granted me a lot of opportunity to see the world and encourage others to choose a career in surveying. Along with going into schools myself and attended careers fairs, I have also secured support from my company to send up to seven McElhanney surveyors across our regions in Western Canada into schools and use the existing GKIS resources while also sponsoring a new set. So I’ll be pseudo-project managing that.
Tell us about what you do: I manage surveying projects for clients across many market sectors including the transportation and land development sectors. In particular, my favourite thing to do is to help First Nation clients achieve their goals around community housing and infrastructure development. In reality, that means a lot of phone calls, emails, and conversations with my team and clients. Every now and again I will get out in the field to coach my crew and check they have what they need to do the job safely. I recently became a people manager so along with projects, I get to empower a group of awesome surveyors.
Christopher has had 25 years in the survey business.
He explains that “when I’m not surveying I was playing rugby”. Other hobbies include flying drones, watching rugby and fishing!
What do you do? Work for AIDATA in Maryland.
Why are you volunteering as a Brand Ambassador? I’m doing this to get more kids involved in survey. It’s important because the survey industry doesn’t have a alot of young people in it.
Ambassador Spotlight ‘Sandra Flores-Castillo’
Introducing Sandra Flores-Castillo from the Minnesota area, USA. Let’s learn some more our latest Brand Ambassador:
How did you get into surveying? During my senior year of high school I applied for the Phoenix Internship program at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). I really like working for MnDOT and become a college student worker for all 4 years. During my college internship I learned about many STEM paths and got really interested in the GIS careers. I switched majors to GIS and graduated college with a Geography BS- GIS Science Track degree. My first job as a young professional led me to be a GIS Research Analyst in the GIM Section of MnDOT. Then one day, during a Leadership Development opportunity I got an inside look at the Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Unit here at MnDOT. I was intrigued and decided to apply and pursue a career as a Photogrammetric Technician.
Why are you volunteering? I want to promote photogrammetry industry to kids and inspire them the many career paths a GIS degree can take you to.
What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? My plans as an Ambassador is to keep helping and inspiring kids find thier passion in the GIS world. I remember being a little lost as a kid wondering what I wanted to be and having someone as a role model, showing the ropes is helpful. I wish I had someone to teach and share thier career with me. On my LinkedIn as you can see, I am a life long learner and I always find says to keep advancing in the Geospatial world and promoting what photogrammetry is.
What are your hobbies?
Anything else you’d like to mention? I am a first generation college graduate, a women in a STEM field and Hispanic/Latino person. I am also bilingual in English and Spanish. I also have 5 years as a STEM student worker and almost 2-3 years as a young professional in the GIS/Photogrammetry industry.
Tell us about what you do
I’m a Photogrammetric Technician – Transportation Generalist Senior at the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Working on lidar, photogrammetric compilation projects and compiling GIS maps as well.
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How did you get into surveying? 
1. Company Name –
How did you get into surveying? 
Where did you study?
Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry?
How did you get into surveying? 
Christopher has had 25 years in the survey business.
How did you get into surveying? 
How did you get into surveying?