Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador Aaron Friess from Wisconsin, USA. Covering the area of Racine/Kenosha/Southern-Milwaukee Metro.

How did you get into the geospatial industry? I met my survey instructor, Dave Langhoff, at an open house at Milwaukee Area Tech College in 2014 while looking for career options. Needless to say, he sold me on the profession and I’ve been involved ever since.

Tell us a bit about what you do: Currently I am the Survey Manager at Nielsen Madsen & Barber, a civil engineering and surveying firm in Racine, WI. I oversee operations of 3-4 field crews and 2-3 drafters daily. I stamp all plats and surveys that come out of our office.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I plan to connect with the local area school districts to spread industry awareness, whether through classroom visits or career fairs. I would also like to become a part-time instructor at MATC.

Anything else that you’d like to add? I have been surveying for over 10 years now. I worked my way from a field technician to a licensed surveyor and project manager. Outside of my profession, my wife and I are expecting our first child in January (a daughter). I enjoy being outdoors fishing and playing disc golf.

Introducing Angela Bleboo from Ghana, Africa:

How did you get into surveying? Growing up, I wanted to be a pediatrician because I love babies. My story had a little twist during my application to the university. In Ghana, you are to make 4 choices for programmes you want to study at a particular university. My uncle, who was my acting dad since I lost my dad at the age of 11, recommended Geomatic Engineering as part of my choices. I was given an offer to study Geomatic Engineering amongst the other choices. I studied BSc. Geomatic Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. And I can truly say that, though it was a difficult decision to make at that time, I have no regrets accepting that offer. The journey has been full of discovery, even of myself, and I am happy about that.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I realized in my surveying journey that one thing still stayed with me despite the change of path to becoming a paediatrician; my passion for the younger generation. Becoming an ambassador is not just a title I want to carry, I want to help raise awareness of a profession which needs to be advertised more to a generation. The world needs more surveyors and geospatial experts especially the young. I want to be that voice that shows light on this path. My main plan is to inspire curiosity among the younger generation in Ghana. I will integrate this with Geocon Initiative, encouraging more people to become ambassadors. Also, I will organise school visits, games, and other activities to introduce pupils to the world of surveying.

Tell us a bit about what you do: I work with Soko Aerial Robotics in the position as UAV Operations and Geospatial Research Assistant. I also facilitate drone training courses for STEM clubs and through outreaches, spread awareness of surveying geospatial science . These outreaches are through Geocon Initiative, of which I am the founder.

Introducing our latest Brand Ambassador Sam Trowbridge from North Carolina, USA:

How did you get into surveying? I started out working as a student for USGS and their program for Coastal Restoration in Louisiana. I job was to collect data and create the maps to monitor coastal erosion. This inspired me and I began my journey in GIS Geographic Information Systems and how it can assist in Surveying. I work hand in hand with Surveyors all over the US in elevating their survey grade data and promoting it through GIS displays and monitoring maps.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? As a mom I believe that it is important to raise awareness of this world of Surveying and its different components. I hope to encourage and bring to light an industry that has changed my life and the lives of my family members.

Tell us a bit about what you do: I am a GIS Director I manage a team of GIS professionals, and our goal is to utilize GIS to enhance our Surveying services. Providing customers with the accuracy of Survey data along with GIS displays and automations.

Anything else that you’d like to add? To make the unseen, seen. My favorite part about Surveying is that you are helping others, providing clarity as to things that people usually cannot see. My goal is to use GIS to help enhance that vision that Surveying can provide. I am happy to be a woman in this industry and I look forward to encouraging the next generation.

Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador Ashlee Graybeal from Oregon, USA:

How did you get into the Geospatial industry? My partner is a PLS in Oregon and is a Geomatics Instructor at Oregon State University. I took my current job because I could see there is a need to help grow the surveying workforce. My oldest son has also spent a summer interning as a survey tech locally so I like to encourage teenagers to pursue similar opportunities in high school.

Tell us a bit about what you do: I travel throughout Oregon to middle and high schools and share about the surveying profession as a career. I also partner with our local Professional Surveyors of Oregon (PLSO) to provide support and information around the licensure aspect of the profession.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I plan to continue my outreach efforts throughout Oregon, reaching students in every area of our state and letting them know that surveying is an excellent profession to pursue.

Anything else that you’d like to add? I have presented in over 30 middle and high school classrooms. At the beginning of each presentation, I ask the students if any of them know a surveyor and to date, I have had one single student share that their grandfather was a surveyor. Over the last two years, I have been able to educate 500+ students on what surveying is and how they can become a professional, and the students are locked in the entire time. Get ready industry, you have a workforce coming your way!

Welcoming our latest ambassador Nick Blenkarn from Shropshire, UK! Let’s learn some more about him:

How did you get into the Geospatial industry? Loved the Mapping part of being a Geologist & converted with a Masters in Land Surveying from UCL. Joined as a Senior Surveyor, became a Partner, Director & Business Owner over a 30-year career.

Tell us about what you do: Advise companies on how to grow their Geospatial businesses, run KTP research projects to develop new services & succession planning / M&A. With an interest in Digital Twins, 3D Visualisation & Virtual tours.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? To showcase the Geospatial Industry as a place to develop a career, not just find a job. Be part of a team, play with new tech & travel!

Anything else that you’d like to add? I am also a Visiting Lecturer, Global Ambassador for QSI and Pickleball addict. The survey industry has taken me to learn Laserscanning in SanFansico, to present on ScantoBIM at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and demonstrate Augmented reality to the Queen. Where will you end up?

Welcoming Brand Ambassador Charles Jennings who is from the South-East of England, UK! Let’s learn some more about him:

Why are you volunteering as a Brand Ambassador? I want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador to help young people explore geospatial careers and address the shortage of geospatial professionals in the UK and beyond. By spreading awareness and offering educational opportunities, I aim to inspire and support the next generation in this field.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I will add GKiS to my content management plan and will use as part of my non-paid work for the industry.

That will include talks, improving links with schools and collages and posting several times a year on linkedin.

Anything else you’d like to add? As a surveyor whose first career in education I am available to create materials, copy, content, programs of study and workshops for GKiS.

Introducing Saddleback Surveys! Let’s learn some more about them:

Location – Southern California
Why is it important for your company to help Get Kids into Survey? Because it’s the coolest job around
What do you do? Owner and chief carrot distributer
How long have you been in the survey industry? 21 years
How did you end up getting into the geospatial industry? Family is in the construction industry
State a funny fact about you… I came from Germany, just like lots of good survey equipment, and I have a horse passport
Favorite piece of kit and why? Saddlebags for my carrots
Your website

Well, NEIGH-bor, surveying is a super cool job! You get to explore new places, work outdoors, and use awesome Tech & gadgets like LiDAR, drones and GPS. I want kids, just like you, to see how fun it is to measure the world! Every hill, tree, and sidewalk tells a story — and surveyors get to be the storytellers.

My name’s Pony, and I travel all over California and Nevada helping my human teammates measure and map the land. Each day brings a brand-new adventure! In fancy talk, I help with surveying, mapping, and geospatial services for all kinds of projects — from cozy family homes to giant public works projects bringing Power and Water to communities. Basically, I make sure everything ends up right where it belongs!

My team has been trotting through the world of surveying and have over a century of combined experience — that’s a lot of hoofprints on the map! I’ve seen bridges rise, cities grow, and plenty of snacks disappear along the way.

My favorite survey technique is using drones. They let me see the world from way up high and help my team map huge areas super-fast — and safely too! It’s like having a bird’s-eye (or should I say horse’s-eye) view of the land.

Surveying takes power — horsepower! With my crew by my side, every survey turns into a field full of fun. At Saddleback Surveys, teamwork isn’t just how we work — it’s how we map our success!

When we think of archaeology, many picture trowels carefully scraping soil away from Roman pottery or explorers in desert tombs. But behind every great discovery is something less obvious yet just as important: surveying.

Surveyors and archaeologists often work hand-in-hand, using modern tools to reveal the secrets of ancient worlds. For parents and kids, this opens up a fascinating way to see how maths, science, and technology connect with history.

Unearthing the Past with the Help of Surveyors!

Archaeology isn’t just about digging—it’s about understanding where to dig and recording what’s found. That’s where surveyors come in.

Surveying in archaeology helps to:

• Map ancient sites before excavation begins.
• Detect hidden structures underground or underwater.
• Reconstruct buildings digitally so we can explore them safely and preserve them for the future.

In short: surveying is the bridge between the past and present, showing us what once stood where we live today【1】.

Tools of the Trade

Surveyors working in archaeology use some of the same tools as in construction, but with a historical twist:

• LiDAR Scanning: Fires laser pulses from drones to detect buried villages or lost temples hidden under forests. Archaeologists recently used LiDAR to map long-forgotten Mayan cities in Central America—revealing entire networks of roads and buildings that had been invisible beneath jungle canopies【2】.

💡 Did You Know?
LiDAR can even see through jungle leaves! That’s how scientists discovered 60,000 hidden Mayan structures in Guatemala in 2018【3】.

• Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR): Works like an underground x-ray to spot walls, mosaics, or even graves without disturbing the soil【4】.
• GNSS Mapping: Uses satellites to pinpoint exactly where dinosaur bones or Roman ruins are found—so nothing is misplaced.
• Photogrammetry: Turns photos into 3D models, perfect for recreating pyramids, castles, or shipwrecks.

Tales of Adventures in the Field

• Roman Britain 
  Imagine a team scanning the ground around an old fort. A surveyor’s radar shows a mosaic floor hidden underground—like using “superhero vision” to see the past.
• Egyptian Desert 
  Drones fly over pyramids, creating 3D maps of tomb layouts. This reminds us of the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1799, which became the key to unlocking the secrets of Egyptian hieroglyphics【5】. Today, surveying tools play a similar role: helping us “translate” the invisible ground into stories about the past.

💡 Did You Know?
Before the Rosetta Stone, nobody alive could read ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Thanks to it, archaeologists unlocked thousands of years of history!

• Sunken Shipwrecks 
  Surveyors send robots underwater to scan wrecks. Augmented reality then shows us what the ships looked like before they sank—like a history video game. Underwater cultural heritage is especially fragile, which is why UNESCO helps document shipwrecks and submerged ruins using surveying methods【6】.
• Dinosaur Digs 
  GNSS and tags keep track of each bone. Just like at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania—where archaeologists discovered some of the earliest tools and human fossils, nearly 2 million years old【5】—surveying makes sure every find is recorded with precision.

💡 Did You Know?
At Olduvai Gorge, archaeologists found stone tools and human fossils showing that our ancestors used technology nearly 2 million years ago!

How Parents Can Spark Curiosity at Home

If you want to bring this world to life for your kids:

1. Go on a “Survey Walk” – Give them a notebook and ask them to map your garden, park, or street.
2. Spot Landmarks – Look at old buildings or ruins nearby and talk about how surveyors help preserve them.
3. Use Free Apps – Try AR (Augmented Reality) or mapping apps to show them how the digital world can reveal hidden layers of the real one.
4. Explore Resources – Posters, colouring sheets, and Q&A guides from Get Kids into Survey are brilliant starting points.

How Companies Can Help Inspire the Next Generation

This month Get Kids into Survey have launched an exciting campaign for the Autumn Archaeological Surveys Poster. This poster aims to teach kids aged 8-12 years old about all of the ways surveyors help to uncover our history and heritage!

Does your company get involved in archaeological tasks?

Do you want to be represented on the poster with your company logo and bespoke cartoon character?

Please take a look at our information booklet which can be downloaded through this page.

The Takeaway…

Surveying isn’t just about construction or boundaries—it’s also a key to unlocking history. By blending technology with archaeology, surveyors help us rediscover lost worlds and inspire the next generation to look beneath the surface, literally and figuratively.

So next time your child asks, “How do we know what’s underground?”, you’ll know the answer: surveyors help us see the invisible past.

References

1. Encyclopedia Britannica – Archaeology
2. National Geographic – Maya LiDAR discovery
3. BBC – LiDAR reveals 60,000 Maya structures
4. Archaeological Institute of America – Archaeology 101
5. Complete University Guide – Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries
6. UNESCO – Underwater Archaeological Mission