The Geoholics

Episode 160 - Marion Ellis, Surveyor & Influencer

FINALLY!!! It has taken nearly 3 years but we FINALLY were able to pin down Marion Ellis long enough to have this undeniably, value-adding conversation. Marion is a "building surveyor" from the UK that has committed herself to changing the complexion of the profession in more ways than one. She is also the host of The Surveyors Hub Podcast and creator of Love Surveying where she coaches and connects surveyors from around the world. Marion feels that for many, sometimes not so obvious reasons, surveyors are NOT making the impact they could in the world today. She wants that to change. That is why she believes we need to focus on personal development as surveyors, as well as the technical skills. Marion is beyond passionate about making this happen and says that "When business is about people, planet and profit, in that order, everyone wins". Dr. Seuss was quoted. Music by Disney!

Episode 159 - Bill Swope, CP & Cody Condron, RPLS, PLS, CP, CMS

If you like to hear really smart people (excluding PS & DD) with common sense (including PS & DD) talk about all facets of mapping...this episode is for you! The guys were joined this week by Bill Swope, CP the Geospatial & Survey Business Development Manager at Halff Associates, Inc. AND Cody Condron, RPLS, PLS, CP, CMS (new record for professional acronyms) the Regional Practice Leader for Texas Land Surveying at KCI Technologies, Inc. Some of the topics discussed include ASPRS, mapping standards, "no rules for tools", different types of photogrammetry, keeping up with technology and understanding its limitations and taming your monkey brain! Charles Darwin was quoted. Music By Jason Boland & The Stragglers. 

Episode 158 - John Nelson, Cartographer

Raised by two Geography teachers, it goes without saying that this weeks guest has map making in his blood! The guys were joined by John Nelson. John is a true cartographer, working with the Living Atlas team and enhancing the user experience (UX) at Esri. He has authored many articles, written a gazillion blog posts and made countless maps, but there is one that sticks out among all the others. The great Robert Krulwich wrote a moving article titled "The Pulsing Earth" about one particular map John created. This is one of John's career highlights to date. Other things discussed include the importance of spending time outdoors, creating things and answering questions, evolution of map making, and the skillset every GIS professional should have. Producer Sean had the dirty C (COVID) so the one and only Big Shoots made an appearance along with our good friend Dr. Nik. Jack Dangermond was quoted. Music by U2!

Episode 157 - Brian Owens the Culture Whisperer

OK...so I made up the "Culture Whisperer"! BUT, Brian once again kicked off the new year with a bang! Brian is the VP of Safety & Team Development for Buesing Corp. where he oversees all the safety programs, sits as the chair of the Continual Improvement Committee, and assists with complex HR/compliance/personnel related matters. Needless to say, everyone reading this will benefit from the value provided during this episode. Just a few topics discussed include the importance of a steering or improvement committee, perspective based decision making, leadership accountability, and of course some relevant safety reminders. Our new best friend J.J. Levenske also joined the conversation! Brian himself was quoted from his book titled "Inversion and the Perspective-Based Safety Culture". Music by Kris Kristofferson!

Episode 156 - Joseph Kerski PhD GISP

Happy Christmas & Merry Geoholidays! The guys were joined this week by the one and only Joseph Kerski! With 30 + years experience in all 4 sectors of society including nonprofit (AAG, NCGE, UCGIS, others), government (NOAA, US Census Bureau, USGS), industry (Esri), and academia (University of Denver and others), Joseph's focus is on using geography and Geographic Information Sciences (GISc) to expand the use of spatial thinking in all sectors of society. He has been at Esri for nearly 17 years and is currently the Education Manager. We learned what life at Esri is like, what life is like growing up in a hotel, what the 5 societal forces are, why spatial thinking is vitally important, and a whole heck of a lot more. This was a GREAT conversation! Music for this episode by Lee Brice!!!

Episode 155 - Paul Burrows aka #RealityCaptureGuy

You gotta get up pretty early to catch up with this weeks guest! The guys were joined by Paul Burrows aka #RealityCaptureGuy from "across the pond"! Paul is the Principal Software Solutions Manager - Reality Capture at Leica Geosystems. He is a laser scanning expert whose passions also include creating sustainable solutions and maximizing the remote working environment. Paul helps us define "reality capture" by walking us through the some of the new realities such a AR, VR, MR as well as digital twins and even the metaverse (DD's favorite). We also got a better understanding of the "Leica Lifestyle" and what this amazingly diverse company has in store for 2023. Producer Sean had an "immersive" revelation. Winston Churchill was quoted. Music by Ben Folds Five!

Episode 154 - Make Surveying Great Again Pt 1

Another insightful conversation with a great group of professionals from the world of land surveying. The guys were joined this week by Peta Cox, National Training & Development Manager at Consulting Surveyors National; Mike McEvilly, PLS, Principal - Director of Surveying at Sitts & Hill Engineers, Inc.; and James Kovalik, PLS, Technology Program Manager at Precise Visual Technologies & Borton-Lawson Engineering. Some of the topics covered in this discussion included the global decline in the number of land surveyors, the top 5 coolest careers includes land surveying, required skillset of the next generation of land surveyors, unique recruiting methods, and the affect that automation and robotics could have on this great profession. We didn't solve all the worlds problems, but we did touch on some unique talking points that will make people think. Music by Aerosmith!

Episode 153 - Russell Hall, PLS

We love this guy! The boys were joined this week by Russell Hall. Russ is a Mobile Mapping Manager at Langan Engineering & Environmental Services. He is not only a fellow tequila drinker BUT also a well respected scanning expert. Russ has worked on unique projects for F1 Racing, NASA, Hard Rock Stadium and autonomous vehicle mapping on the Las Vegas strip. Some of the topics discussed include island life (Russ lives on an island!), life at Langan, how technology is transforming the survey profession, importance of "survey" control for reality capture, rules for tools and tequila! Mark "Chief Geek" Taylor was riding shotgun and drinking whiskey (we may or may not have finished a bottle during the recording of this show) so you know its going to be a good one! Music by System of a Down!

Episode 152 - Anthony ”Tony” Vetturelli - Author of “Land Surveyor: Journey, Challenges & Destiny”

DO NOT MISS THIS EPISODE!!! No words can describe how much we all enjoyed this conversation with a living legend. The guys were joined this week by Mr. Anthony "Tony" Vetturelli. Tony was a surveyor for over 40 years and compiled his experiences and wisdom into a book titled "Land Surveyor: Journey, Challenges & Destiny". He was gracious enough to share many personal stories that shaped his life, the best advice he's ever been given, guidance for future land surveyors, importance of hard work and loving what you do, and his perspective on life in general. Our good friend Phil Fedor joined the cast this week as well, adding tremendous value to this thought provoking discussion. Needless to say, this was a humbling episode that established new friendships and left us wanting more. Music by Frank Sinatra!!!

Bonus Episode - Tom Hebert, Veteran Dinosaur Hunter & Closet Surveyor

One of the highlights of Trimble Dimensions was getting to meet so many friends that we've come to know virtually over the last three years. This episode is a perfect example of just that. The guys got to spend some time with Tom Hebert a veteran dinosaur hunter and closet surveyor. Tom actually left a dinosaur dig in Montana and took a last minute flight to Las Vegas to conduct this interview...talk about commitment!!! Tom started his not for profit foundation for one reason...to make the world of earth sciences available to everyone. They work on cutting edge research, collaborations with scientist, museums, and educational institutions to create opportunities for all people to participate in earth sciences.