The Geoholics

Episode 034 - Matthew (Matt) Vielbaum, PLS

Matthew (Matt) Vielbaum, PLS is a Project Surveyor/Certified Crew Chief at Towill, Inc. in Concord, CA. He is not only an Eagle Scout and Professional Land Surveyor but his high school locker was seen in the 80’s classic Footloose (DD is jealous!)! Without regret, Matt has taken the long way to becoming a PLS having taken many college level courses related to architectural drafting and ultimately working his way up the ranks via the Northern California Surveyors Joint Apprenticeship. The NCSJAC was established in 1975 as a labor-management committee by the Operating Engineers Local Union 3 and the CA and NV Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors Association, Inc. You may remember the John Rector episode when this fruitful program was discussed in detail. Producer Jake & Big Shoots would rather hit a game winning home run while Dilfy Dilf would rather make an over the wall, home run saving, game winning catch…what does that tell you…anything? Please support your local restaurants and small businesses while appreciating first responders and healthcare workers. Music for this episode by our good friends Outlaw Inlaws!

Geoholics Anonymous / 3D Scanning/Modeling

Welcome to this meeting of Geoholics Anonymous! This is a bi-weekly “roundtable” style discussion touching on the current issues affecting the Land Surveying & Mapping professions. This panel was made up of Kent Groh, LS (Host of The Geoholics), Michael Tartaglia (SITECH Southwest), Marco Cecala (Takeoff Professionals), Robert Beck (Building Point West) and Ted Mort (ZELUS). The topic of this week’s GA meeting was 3D Scanning/Modeling. We discuss what is needed to acquire accurate 3D data, machine control applications, BIM modeling, best practices and procedures, AI/VR, and the future of this awesome technology.

Episode 033 - Zach “Indiana” Gooch, CST

Zach “Indiana” Gooch, CST is an archaeologist turned surveyor in addition to being a Geoholics superfan. He spent the early part of his career traveling around the country performing cultural surveys and uncovering ancient artifacts for various projects. Zach has a great perspective on mentoring, educational requirements, what it takes to be a good surveyor and SEC football. He spends his days surveying and his nights programming calculators for fun. We also learned that an online mentoring program is something we need to pursue. The Safety Apparel Safety Share touches on the 7 traits of a true safety leader. Producer Jake is purging, turning 22, and wants a parade with a fire truck. Big Shoots records from the nerdery, likes to cuddle and has had enough of quarantining. Dilfy Dilf records from the DD studio and stresses about the new “normal”. Please continue to support your local restaurants and small businesses while appreciating first responders and healthcare workers. Music for this episode by our good friends Carol Pacey & the Honey Shakers!

Episode 032 - Melissa Boyles

Melissa Boyles’ passion for helping out small and disadvantaged businesses has resulted in her being a trailblazer in the transportation industry. She is committed to and actively involved in promoting the professional advancement of women by leading the Woman in Transportation Mentorship Program. In her free time, Melissa is a VP at Jacobs managing the Arizona transportation client portfolio. A little known fact that was revealed about Melissa is that she has a “thing” for men in kilts! The Safety Apparel Safety Share touches on COVID-19 and active construction sites. Producer Jake has another big announcement…sorry I can’t wait…we hit the 9K listener mark! Big Shoots is going to watch Ozark and Dilfy Dilf provides updates on his fasting and Instacarting adventures! Please support your local restaurants and small businesses while appreciating first responders and healthcare workers. Music for this episode by The Black Moods!

Geoholics Anonymous / UAV Mapping

Welcome to this meeting of Geoholics Anonymous! This is a bi-weekly “roundtable” style discussion touching on the current issues affecting the Land Surveying & Mapping professions. This panel was made up of Kent Groh, LS (Host of The Geoholics), Scott Ohana, LS (UNIFLI), Mark Taylor (Extreme Aerial Productions), Rose Hart (Stantec), Jim Crume, LS (Cooper Aerial & Surveying Mathematics Made Simple), Ernest Huffman (North Texas UAS Safety and Integration Task Force) and Zach Pieper, LS (Quantum Land Design). The topic of this week’s GA meeting was UAV and drone technology. We covered current applications, control practices, safety & privacy and where the panelist see the technology heading.

Episode 031 - Kory Allred, PhD PLS EI

Kory Allred, PhD PLS EI has taken his passion for land surveying to levels many of us strive to achieve. Having worked on the private side for almost 20 years, his passion for the profession has led him to academia and the position of Land Surveying Program Director @ Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois. Kory takes this role and the influence he has on the future of land surveying very seriously. Even though he is a White Sox fan, Kory and Dilfy Dilf still remain friends. The Safety Apparel Safety Share touches on staying sane during these trying times! Producer Jake wants to inhabit Mars. Big Shoots has an odd infatuation with Disney. Dilfy Dilf is in a shitty mood and may have a new career Instacarting. Please support your local restaurants and small businesses while appreciating first responders and healthcare workers. Music for this episode by KOLARS!

Geoholics Anonymous / COVID19

Welcome to the first meeting of Geoholics Anonymous! This is a bi-weekly “roundtable” style discussion touching on the current issues affecting the Land Surveying & Mapping professions. This panel was made up of Kent Groh, LS (Host of The Geoholics), Justin Farrow (Land Surveyors United), Gavin Schrock (Editor of xyHt), Michael Thompson, LS (Chair of Professional Surveyors Canada), Ryan Swingley, LS (Past President of the Indiana Society of Professional Surveyors), Denver Winchester, LS (President of the FIG/Young Surveyors Group) and James Combs, LS (VP of the FIG/National Young Surveyors Group). The topic of this weeks GA meeting was COVID-19 and how it is and might affect land surveying moving forward.

Episode 030 - Eric Salovitch

Eric Salovitch wants to be known as the crossfitting land surveyor from New Hampshah. He has been surveying for about 10 years and is currently a Survey Technician for TFMoran, INC. winners of the Best of Business (BOB) award for 8 years in a row. Eric is the Chair of the New Hampshire Land Surveyors Association Young Surveyors Committee which was recently awarded the NHLSA Presidential Award. Producer Jake shares his shower habits and is looking for binge watching recommendations like Tiger King. Big Shoots is finally wearing t-shirts. Dilfy Dilf is losing his mind to the point that he is now playing online curling to pass the time. Please support your local restaurants and small businesses while appreciating first responders and healthcare workers. Surveying…essential or nonessential? Music for this episode by Outlaw Inlaws!

Episode 029 - Justin Farrow

Justin Farrow has not only worked in and around the land surveying industry his entire life, but has also built Land Surveyors United an online community of over 17,000 surveyors and geomatics professionals from across the globe. He is well educated having achieved multiple bachelor and master degrees covering everything from Anthropology to Global Sustainability. Justin provides a great perspective on life and the state of the land surveying profession. Producer Jake shares that the Tiger King is his new guilty pleasure…Big Shoots missed the show due to an upper body injury and Dilfy Dilf promotes fasting, the Tiger King and alcohol. This was our first “Shelter in Place” show! Music for this episode by Justin’s good friend Marcus King!!!

Episode 028 - Rose Hart

Rose Hart is a GIS Analyst for Stantec currently living and working in the great state of Hawaii. She has played a vital role in a number of unique UAV projects including mapping shore erosion and lava flow on the Big Island to remote bush plane airstrips in Alaska. Rose shares what its like to be an assertive young woman in a male dominated profession as well as some lessons learned while flying drones. We attempt to get an understanding of how lava changes the “ground” elevation and if it would be possible to rename a volcano Big Shoots. Producer Jake fills us in on his trip to the Windy City, Big Shoots and the lovely Kerrie display amazing hospitality and Dilfy Dilf pleads for you to support local! Music for this episode by Carol Pacey & the Honey Shakers!