Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast

In this episode of Surveyor Says, host Tim Burch interviews Duncan Hawksbee, Americas Region Chair for the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES). Hawksbee explains that the UK defines surveying far more broadly than the U.S. boundary-centric model by integrating both geospatial engineering and quantity surveying (commercial and cost management). To bridge this gap, CICES aims to partner with NSPS to support professionals involved in full-lifecycle infrastructure delivery.   Addressing the industry talent shortage, Hawksbee outlines CICES’s strategy to expand student memberships and establish accredited university programs across North America. He also discusses the rapid technological shift toward reality capture, digital twins, LiDAR, and generative AI with Tim. Concluding that automation and AI will augment rather than replace surveyors, they emphasize that professional organizations must actively update credentials and standards to regulate these expanding digital datasets. A great conversation you don't want to miss!

This week’s episode of "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast" highlights one of our Diamond Sponsors, Control Point Associates (CPA), a surveying firm based in Warren, New Jersey. Your host, NSPS Executive Director Tim Burch, recently sat down with Ken Stigner, P.L.S., P.P., Principal of CPA, to hear more about the firm.  Ken discussed CPA's history since 1992, its focus as a purely surveying and geospatial firm, and its growth from 80-90 employees to over 250 with 13 offices across the Mid-Atlantic and Florida. He highlighted the company's embrace of technology, such as laser scanning, mobile LiDAR, and UAVs, and its strategy of not competing with engineering or architectural firms. Ken explained CPA's regional structure, its commitment to mentoring young professionals, and the unique challenges of surveying in different geographic areas like New York City and the Catskills. They also touched on the camaraderie within CPA and the company's current focus on expanding into Georgia, South Carolina, and Western Florida. The conversation concluded with a discussion on the future of surveying, emphasizing the importance of technology and attracting the next generation. NSPS would like to again thank CPA for its support, particularly its sponsorship of the national student competition and the CST program.

Welcome to "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast!" This episode is an interview with Katherine O'Buckley, where host Tim Burch discussed her involvement in surveying, NSPS YSN, and her experience volunteering at the Scouting Jamboree. Katherine shared her generational connection with surveying through family members and her education at SUNY Alfred State, followed by her work at Control Point Associates. She discussed her leadership role in reviving the Brooklyn Land Surveyors Association (BLSA) and her significant contributions to YSN's marketing efforts, including social media management and photography. The conversation covered her experience volunteering at the 2026 Scouting Jamboree, where she helped with the Surveying Merit Badge and met with only four certified merit badge counselors in New York State. Katherine emphasized the importance of reaching out to younger generations through scouting programs and expressed frustration with limited opportunities for young professionals in state associations. The interview concluded with a discussion about the future of surveying and the need for greater engagement from younger professionals in leadership roles. This post is proudly sponsored by Control Point Associates.

In this episode of "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast," host Tim Burch introduces Cara Tryling, the first remote employee for NSPS. Cara shares her background as a licensed surveyor in Ohio and Kentucky, detailing her journey from growing up in a family of surveyors to earning her bachelor's degree from Cincinnati State and pursuing a master's degree at the University of Maine. The two discuss the essential role of formal education alongside field experience for becoming a licensed professional. They also explore the modernizing efforts at NSPS, emphasizing the importance of expanding reach on social media, engaging younger generations, and supporting underrepresented groups in the field, specifically highlighting Cara's positive experiences with the Women's Surveyor Summit. She closes by sharing her optimistic outlook on the future of surveying, pointing to rapid technological advancements and strong career security.

In this episode of “Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast,” your host Tim Burch sits down with Linda Foster, the immediate past president of NSPS and the Director of Land Records and Cadastral Surveying Solutions at Esri. Together, they look back on a milestone year, reflecting on the major initiatives launched and goals achieved during Linda’s presidential administration. The conversation covers several key themes shaping the future of the profession: • The Intersections of GIS and Surveying • Education and Advocacy • Workforce Development • Data Standards and AI • The Power of the Next Generation Linda also previews an upcoming blog post detailing her tenure and shares her optimistic outlook on why the future of surveying is brighter than ever before. Lots of informational nuggets in this packed episode so check it out today! surveyorsays.podbean.com