What does a regular day as a Regional Manager of Land Development and Survey look like for you? A typical day can vary, but it usually includes a mix of strategic mid- and long‑range planning as well as addressing immediate project-related needs. I review proposals over a certain threshold for approval and evaluate various business development plans. I’m involved in personnel management and the day‑to‑day operations of the department. This may include monitoring overall financial health, planning resources to ensure we have sufficient work for our staff, and reviewing our backlog. Each day brings a wide variety of tasks, ranging from urgent operational needs to long‑term succession planning.
What are you most excited about in your industry? I am most excited about the growth opportunities for up‑and‑coming surveyors. Depending on whom you talk to, some people may say that surveying is a dying industry because more licensed land surveyors are retiring than there are new professionals getting licensed. However, there is no shortage of demand for surveying services, so I see it differently. I see significant room for growth in our industry.
Surveyors are needed for land transfers, project approvals, building permits, the list goes on. The continued demand for these services translates into tremendous opportunities for younger surveyors who want to pursue this as a professional career. When you combine that demand with the technological advances being made, particularly in drone surveying, the potential becomes even greater.
UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) surveying uses a LiDAR camera attached to a drone, and when flown over a site, it collects all the data, rather than relying solely on traditional methods that involve looking through a telescope. And that’s just one example of the many technological advancements occurring in equipment and data capture.
It’s a great field for someone who enjoys working outdoors but also appreciates the office side of the job, such as final mapping, signing, and sealing. In our department, we’re structuring our organization to provide all of these opportunities for those who want them.
Tell us about the Hartford Helipads project and what that process has been like? BL provided surveying and LiDAR mapping for seven Life Star helipads across Connecticut to support license renewals. Our team identified potential flight path obstructions and delivered clear maps to help the Connecticut Airport Authority address safety concerns and ensure safe helicopter operations.
It was definitely a success in terms of meeting and exceeding client expectations. It was an unusual project for a surveyor because it wasn’t a traditional boundary survey; there were unique deliverables required, as the surveys needed to show information specific to helicopter navigation purposes. We were able to provide that level of detail, and the quality and clarity of our mapping exceeded the client’s expectations.
As a result, instead of just completing the pilot project—seven initial sites—we are now reviewing their entire inventory to determine how we can continue supporting them. Hopefully, we will become their go‑to surveyor. We love programmatic work, and that’s why we invest so much effort in building strong relationships with our clients and ensuring clear communication to deliver exactly what they need. BL has recognized the value of relationships and communication since the beginning, 40 years ago.
What are you looking forward to in your personal life this year? This year, I am most looking forward to my daughter’s college graduation. She’ll be graduating from a five‑year program with a dual major from the Parsons School of Design in New York City. We are all excited to see her begin her career.