The Geoholics

Episode 109 - Mike Bontrager

Welcome to the Culture Zone! The boys were joined this week by Mike Bontrager. Mike has written a great career story so far having spent over 30 years being a "Culture Warrior" for The Weitz Company and Alston Construction. He has established himself as a "turnaround specialist" having had tremendous success fixing broken companies across the country. The focus was defining corporate culture as establishing what is encouraged, discouraged, accepted, or rejected within a group or team. We talk about where this starts and who is responsible for it, the importance of culture being aligned with strategy and leadership, how leading with culture may be among the few competitive advantages left for companies today and the importance of selecting or developing leaders with a forward-looking strategy and passion for culture. PJ gets analytical...BS gets sick and DD stumps PJ! Gary Vaynerchuk is quoted. Music for this episode by Tom Petty!

Episode 108 - Jason Martschuk & Prostar

You're gonna want to hear about this! The guys sat down this week with Mr. Jason Martschuk the Senior VP of Sales for Prostar (www.prostarcorp.com). ProStar is recognized as a world leader in the development of Precision Mapping Solutions specializing in developing patented cloud and mobile solutions. Their flagship product is PointMan, a mapping solution, proven to significantly enhance the workflow processes and business practices associated with the lifecycle management of critical infrastructure both above and below the Earth’s surface. PointMan provides the ability to precisely capture, record, display, and manage critical infrastructure in real-time, including roads, bridges, railways, pipelines, and utilities. Their clients span from Fortune 500 construction companies, utility owners, and government agencies to smaller entities including engineering & surveying firms, municipalities and universities. Jason was the perfect person to answer all of our questions re: this exciting platform. I can't forget to also mention that Jason "enjoys" taking on food challenges having conquered such things as an 80 oz steak in one sitting!! PJ got into an accident...BS got into an accident...DD was an accident (not really...we don't think)! Kevin Hart was quoted. Music for this episode by Beastie Boys! SPECIAL OFFER: IF YOU MENTION THE "GEOHOLICS", JASON & PROSTAR WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH A 6 MONTH FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO POINTMAN!!!

Episode 107 - Claire Buxton, Roshni Sharma & VCSP

All we can say is WOW...these ladies are amazing! The boys were joined this week by Claire Buxton & Roshni Sharma. Claire is a Party Chief, Project Manager, and CAD Coordinator at Underhill Geomatics and theLead of the Volunteer Community Surveyor Program or VCSP (a FIG Young Surveyors Network initiative). Roshni is a Project Manager and Geospatial Analyst for FrontierSI and the Communications and Marketing Lead of the VCSP. If you are like we were before we had this conversation, you are going to come away from it humbled and hopefully motivated to support these ladies and this group of committed and passionate individuals. We discussed the mission of the VCSP, how personally rewarding and character building it is, the positive impact this group is making and how folks just like you can get involved. Claire, Roshni and the VCSP are truly making the world a better place while promoting geomatics around the globe! PJ was in the 'Dale, BS was in the Nerdery and DD was in Sin City. Jim Carrey was quoted. Music for this episode by Gueen!

Episode 106 - Business of Land Surveying - Small Business Perspective

Talk about an all-star cast of characters...this one did not disappoint! The boys were joined this week by Steve Gangwal, Owner of Gangwal Enterprises, Inc., Nolan Mark LS, Owner of On The Mark Land Surveying LLC, Michael Thompson LS, President at Halma Thompson Land Surveys Ltd., and Will Wing, LS Owner Operator\CEO at Infinity Land Surveying, LLC. If you can maneuver your attention around all that was going on throughout this episode there was some amazing content shared by this group that everyone will be able to related to. We had this same general conversation on Episode 101 from a larger company perspective and we believe you will find the views these small business owners to be equally intriguing. PJ told us about DART/FART, BS had TK envy and DD got bit by Lucy the street dog. Steve Jobs & Tony Robbins were quoted. Music for this episode by J. Roddy Walston & The Business. Happy (U.S.) Thanksgiving everyone...be safe!

Episode 105 - Landon Jakse

Ahoy Geoholics! The boys took a 1-hour tour this week with off-shore surveyor Landon Jakse. Landon is not only an intelligent (fellow SIU-C grad...Go Salukis!), handsome man that can cook and rebuild Triumphs, he is also a PM in the offshore survey and positioning operations for Oceaneering. This was such an interesting conversation about a survey "discipline" that is rarely talked about. Some items discussed included Offshore geoscience, AUV's, ROS', oil & gas, Roy Frank, the crazy challenges of this type of surveying and the fact that offshore surveying is a Geoholics wet dream! Ladon shares details about some career defining projects that he has worked on as well as how offshore surveying may would be a great career path for anyone looking for a new challenge and to do something completely different. PJ geeks out...BS freaks out and DD nearly broke his ankle. Jacques Cousteau was quoted. Music for this episode by Turnpike Troubadours!

Episode 104 - Rich Antonio, Dorina Bustamante & Bill Swope

Well, this was fun! The boys were joined this week by Rich Antonio, VP of Business Development at Alta Southwest, Dorina Bustamante, Director of Business Development at Ritoch-Powell and Associates, and Bill Swope, Geospatial & Survey Business Development Manager at Halff Associates, Inc. It goes without saying that this week's topic is Business Development! We had a great conversation with these three BD professionals touching on business development vs marketing vs sales, how to craft a business development plan, various business development strategies/tactics and the importance of community involvement. Music for this episode by Bob Schneider!

Episode 103 - David & Nikolas Schlosser

Whether you say Shlosser or Slossher...this father and son survey team is one of a kind! We were joined this week by Dave & Nik Schlosser from Northstar Surveying, Inc. in Corvallis, Oregon. We kicked the show off with a toast of Benchmark whiskey which was recommended by the surveying Schlosser's and the rest is history. From what I remember, we talked about their military service (thank you!), pros & cons of having a family business, ways to transition ownership, risk of not having an exit plan, the importance of making time to educate and challenge your employees, overcoming the obstacle of finding & retaining survey staff, education vs experience and the importance of family! You're going to want to be adopted by the Schlosser's after this one! William Shatner is quoted. PJ is smart. BS tries to be and DD gets groped. Music for this episode by Pixies! 

Episode 102 - Raymond ”Ray” Woering & APGLOS

Next stop...the Netherlands! The boys were joined this week by Mr. Raymond "Ray" Woering the CEO at APGLOS (Advanced Positioning GLObal Software). Ray and his team of survey wizards are making a significant impact on the mapping world. They have developed the "easiest land survey app" aptly named...you got it...Survey Wizard! This is an absolute gamechanger for their 1000's of users from around the globe. Point being, listen to this episode so you're not the last to know about it. We discussed what makes Survey Wizard different from any other survey app currently on the market, its applications including mapping, stake out, drafting and calculating, and how their clients are simplifying their lives by using it. In addition, the APGLOS team works out of a castle that dates back to 700 AD...sounds like a great place to record an upcoming Geoholics episode! A little-known fact...one-third of the Netherlands is under sea level! PJ is going green with his only means of transportation being via bike or sailboat. BS went to the zoo! DD is on the wagon...kinda...sort of! Music for this episode by The King!

Episode 101 - Business of Land Surveying - Chapter 1 w/Byrom Hess, MBA

Do not miss the first part of a multi-show series focusing on The Business of Land Surveying! "It has been my experience that surveyors as a group exhibit poor business practices. There are certainly exceptions, but my opinion is that poor business management has been the only reason that land surveying has not risen to the level of other professions in eyes of the public. There is no reason, after all, why surveyors should be considered with less regard than engineers, lawyers, or dentists, except for one thing – money. Engineers, lawyers, and dentists are all regarded, in general, as being better off financially than we are, and are therefore placed higher in the social stratum of society. If surveyors were perceived as being as well off, they would, over time, be held with similar esteem. We have only ourselves to blame for this fate, and good, common sense business decisions can help us elevate ourselves." - Daniel E. Beardslee. Music for this episode by AC/DC!!!

Episode 100 - Narelle Underwood & Peta Cox

We are not worthy! Welcome to the start of the next Geoholics century! The boys were honored to be joined this week by Narelle Underwood the Surveyor General of New South Wales (NSW) and Peta Cox the National Training & Development Manager at Consulting Surveyors National and host of the Defining Boundaries Podcast. These two ladies are beyond impressive. Some of the items discussed include the state of land surveying in Australia, the responsibilities of the NSW Surveyor General, the Surveyor General Inn...yes, it's a real place, the most effective ways to promote this great profession, common global challenges, and the fact that Australia has three times more sheep than people! PJ is a jetsetter; 14 Traits of a Truly Good Person were shared, and DD saw Hamilton! Music for this episode by INXS!