Introducing JEP by Orcutt! Let’s learn some more about them:

JEP, short for “Just Every Point” is a state-of-the-art survey robot designed to assist Land Surveyors in their precise and demanding work. Equipped with advanced sensors, GPS technology and cutting-edge mapping tools, JEP’s primary mission is to measure, record, and analyze every corner of the land it surveys with unparalleled accuracy.

JEP was created by Orcutt Survey Company to take on the heavy lifting of fieldwork, such as marking boundaries, measuring elevations, and scanning vast terrains for data collection. Although JEP is highly intelligent, it doesn’t shy away from its playful side. As it moves through dense forests, rocky hills, or urban landscapes, JEP’s programming often leads it to express curiosity, checking out new landmarks and not to mention JEP’s killer sense of humor and consistent ribbing of local engineers and architects.

JEP continues to be on the cutting edge of robotic surveying, always evolving with new technology to meet the ever-changing demands of land survey professionals. Stay tuned to Get Kids Into Survey for JEP’s latest developments from drone surveying to bathymetric surveys. JEP is an old robot learning new tricks every day.

Welcoming Francisco Gonzales our latest Brand Ambassador covering from southern California to Las Vegas, USA:

How did you get into surveying? I went to school for aviation where I discovered the extent of the drone industry and its applications for mapping. My start was in multispectral mapping for agriculture using drones. I then moved to the defense industry and now work in the survey and mapping industry. I have a passion for collecting accurate data to create maps that are able to direct decisions and help planning efforts.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I think this is a great program. I live in a relatively low income area that does not have a lot of outreach programs for kids to get into STEM. It is really important to show kids these possible career paths to help better their communities.

Tell us a bit about what you do: In my current role as a Sales Engineer I work with a lot of surveyors that are trying to stay at the cutting edge of technology. I spent a lot of time educating how a new product could make their job easier, faster, and more accurate.

Anything else you’d like to add? I hold numerous FAA licenses for both manned, unmanned and ground instruction.

Introducing Bryan Worthen from Utah, USA

How did you get into surveying? I wanted to be an engineer. I started out down that path right after high school. I was working at the Civil Engineering firm as a draftsman at 17 when one of the Surveyors had a medical incident and was put on a medication where he couldn’t drive. At the time, I was basically the cheapest labor in the office so they made me be his chauffeur. Once i started going out into the field with the Surveys, it bit me like a bug and the rest is history.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I think Surveying is the coolest career anyone could have and it’s sad that more don’t know about it. I would like to expose more to the Surveying industry. I would specifically like to work with Utah Valley University (Which I already do) to recruit more kids locally to go into their Geomatics program (which is the only one our state has). Ultimately I just want to promote the Land Surveying profession.

Tell us a bit about what you do: Over the past 18 years i’ve gotten a little taste of everything. I’ve worked for 4 surveying firms total and was a sales rep for Kuker-Ranken for about 5 years. I got to know a lot of fellow surveyors and companies in the western united states. In my current role at Horrocks, I process Mobile, Aerial and Terrestrial LiDAR, I do some business line development, and survey project management.

Anything else you’d like to add? We have surveyors all over the USA that could help with outreach events. I personally would like to get involved with Get Kids In to Survey, but also the company I am with now is also interested at a survey department level. I’m not sure what all would be required of us, or how much time we can devote at this point, but we would have more outreach than just me individually. We are a part of several other companies called the Trilon Group, and there is the potential for other companies to be involved as well.

Welcoming Walter Alturo-Tapiero our latest Brand Ambassador from Colombia, specifically in the department of Tolima:

How did you get into surveying? I have been a surveyor since 1991. My first job was as a land surveyor. I have traveled around my country carrying out different topographical infrastructure projects. I have been president of the Colombian Society of Surveyors and I am currently serving as president of the Tolima Society of Surveyors. I have been a teacher of Computer Aided Design, Technical Drawing and Geographic Information Systems.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? As sector leaders, we seek to inspire new generations about the importance of geoinformation, highlighting its use, efficiency and social, economic and environmental impact. Topography not only accurately represents a territory and its elements, but is also key to the organization and management of resources. However, this accuracy often clashes with the interests of those who prefer imprecise figures.

Tell us a bit about what you do: Currently, I am a technical and commercial director in several surveying companies, a GIS distributor and a sector leader in surveying in Colombia, with a special focus on my homeland, Tolima.

Is there anything else you’d like to add? An incredible initiative, combining the teaching of topography with the ancestral wisdom of the Pijao culture can generate a profound impact in the region. Create a specific educational model, such as community workshops, a formal school or a methodology based on the indigenous worldview.

Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador Breandan Murphy from Surrey, UK:

How did you get into survey? I studied Earth Science at undergrad level, then worked at a consultancy doing a lot mapping tasks using geographic information systems (GIS), I moved into managing offshore surveys and survey data interpretation, initially for oil and gas projects, then mainly offshore renewables projects.
I currently work as part of geoscience team in an energy utility whose projects include offshore wind developments.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I’d like to be able to show kids some of the exciting things that we come across in marine surveys and some of the huge things we’re building. I’d like to help keep kids on STEM tracks, especially those who don’t want to be constrained by a desk in an office!

Brand Ambassador area which you’ll cover? I’m based on Woking, Surrey but happy travel within Surrey or nearby.

Tell us a bit about what you do: Support a team of colleagues planning, procuring and managing offshore geophysical survey operations and presenting the results of these surveys to the project development team to help them design install/build offshore wind farms and cables.

Welcoming Anthony Williams our latest Brand Ambassador from the West Midlands, UK:

How did you get into surveying? I was always interested in deep water exploration and survey so I attended Liverpool John Moors University and Studied BSc (Hons) Maritime Studies.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I would like to reach out to local schools. T o provide a few highlights of my 25 years offshore in survey and maybe do some survey related workshops – something fun and informative.

Tell us a bit about what you do: As Technical Manger I am responsible for providing offshore survey contractors to the Oil & Gas, Telecommunication and Renewables Markets. I’m also involved in Training, Competency and a Mentor to our MSc Hydrography Scholarship Student at Plymouth University.

Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador Joel Alvarado from North Carolina, USA:

How did you get into surveying? I started in 10th grade in a technical drawing workshop. Our instructor was a surveyor.

What are your plans as a Brand Ambassador? I would love to be part in inspiring the next generation by showcasing the exiting opportunities in land surveying. I’m bilingual, so maybe I could also reach out and encourage spanish speakers that may not be getting this great initiative because of the language barrier. I’m also from Puerto Rico, where sadly the profession of land surveying has being negatively impacted for the lack of opportunity and growth. I would love to engage students through interactive presentations, hand on activities and real world examples and try to show them the importance of surveying in shaping the world. I would love to foster my curiosity and share my passion.

Tell us a bit about what you do: I’m a project manager and a license surveyor at SAM. A typical day for me involves professional oversight, B&D and proposals, training our new staff (field and office) and budget management.

Welcoming our latest Brand Ambassador Claire Fenwick covering London and surrounding areas of the United Kingdom. Let’s learn some more about her:

How did you get into the geospatial industry? After studying for a BA Honours degree in Graphic Design at University for the Creative Arts, I decided to change career completely. Geomatics surveyors work outdoors, and the role offers considerable opportunities for travel which also appealed to me!

At the age of 23, I chose to retrain as a Geomatics Surveyor at The Survey School offered by The Survey Association (TSA). After graduating I progressed from a Trainee Surveyor to Senior Surveyor. I founded Spatial Dimensions in 2012 and have seen the company grow into a national company since then!

Tell us a bit about what you do?Anything else you want to add that you think our audience (surveyors, teachers, parents) would be interested in? I’m the Managing Director of Spatial Dimensions (https://spatial-dimensions.co.uk/), and the President of The Survey Association (https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/).

Both roles come with their unique challenges and opportunities.

As Managing Director of Spatial Dimensions I run the daily operations of the company. This includes everything from advising on large scale survey projects, to the hiring of staff!

As TSA President I strongly believe in the benefits of sharing knowledge and upholding standards within our profession. I also actively promote careers in the built environment for women, trying to address the gender imbalance and skills shortage in the geospatial profession.

What are your plans as an ambassador? School and university outreach is something I truely believe in, and love doing! As an ambassador I’d love to play a key role in offering surveying as a viable career option.

I think it’s important to use connections and platforms to spread the message, too. This is something I’d love to utilise!

One of our key missions at The Survey Association is “every young person should know about land surveying as a career”; This is something that directly aligns to Get Kids Into Surveying!

Anything else you want to add that you think our audience (surveyors, teachers, parents) would be interested in? At the end of 2024, Spatial Dimensions launched a YouTube channel which looks at various aspects of surveying. Please see our latest video on defining level of detail (LOD) here: https://youtu.be/A9Savf24EuI

For teachers, parents and potential new geospatial surveyors, please visit, www.becomeasurveyor.com