Episode 286 - Liz Babcock

Forty years in Land & Right-of-Way. An Enron survivor. A woman who earned her seat at the table in historically male-dominated industries. And, in her own words, someone who has spent her career “navigating a male-dominated world one martini at a time.” 

This week, we sit down with Liz Babcock, Vice President of Land & ROW at ALTAEI, for a candid conversation about resilience, trust, relationships and what it really takes to succeed in the people-heavy world of land and right-of-way.

Liz shares lessons from four decades spent working with landowners, attorneys, engineers, agencies, utilities and energy companies—and explains why technical knowledge alone is never enough.

We also dive into:

• How the Land and ROW profession has changed—and where progress is still needed
• What surviving the Enron collapse taught Liz about reputation and resilience
• How to build trust with skeptical or frustrated landowners
• The importance of bringing ROW professionals into projects earlier
• Earning your voice and your seat at the table
• Why relationships, humor and genuine human connection still move projects forward
• The stories and experiences that make a 40-year career truly meaningful

This episode is a reminder that successful projects are not built through data, documents and processes alone. They are built through trust, communication, judgment and treating people right.

Because the best ROW professionals do not just help projects acquire land—they protect relationships, reduce risk and create a path forward.

Music by Prince!!

#TheGeoholics #LandSurveying #RightOfWay #ROW #LandAcquisition #Geospatial #Surveying #Infrastructure #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #WomenInEnergy #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerLessons #RelationshipBuilding #ProjectManagement #Prince #WhenDovesCry #Podcast

Episode 285 - Trent "TK" Keenan & Ryan "Big Shoots" Kelly

The guys are joined by TK and Big Shoots for a full-circle conversation about where The Geoholics started, what it has become, and why this crazy little show continues to resonate with surveyors, mappers, photogrammetrists, tech leaders, mentors, troublemakers, and everyone else trying to move the profession forward.

This episode gets into the early days of the show, the raw and scrappy chemistry that made it work, the guests and moments that left a mark, and the bigger mission that has always been at the heart of it all: adding value and making friends.

We also dig into the future of surveying, mentorship, recruiting the next generation, technology, AI, drones, scanners, mobile mapping, and the role of professional judgment in a world moving faster than ever. Because the best surveyors are not just button-pushers — they understand the why behind the workflow, the risk behind the data, and the responsibility behind every deliverable.

Big Shoots is back behind the mic. TK brings the fire. Kent and Sean keep it moving. Buckle up…this one is a ride you don't want to miss!

Huge thanks to this week’s featured partners: EMLID, TopoDOT, AllTerra Central, Leica Geosystems, David Evans & Associates, and DBLS.

Music by Lainey Wilson!

Until next time…add value, make friends, and most importantly, be safe and healthy!

#TheGeoholics #Surveying #LandSurveying #Geomatics #Geospatial #Mentorship #RealityCapture #MobileMapping #Photogrammetry #LiDAR #SurveyLife #ProfessionalSurveyor #FutureOfSurveying #AddingValueMakingFriends

BLM ID - Boise Meridian Initial Point Celebration

The BLM Idaho, alongside the Idaho State Historical Society and various mapping partners, hosted the Boise Meridian Initial Point Celebration on May 1 and 2, 2026. The signature event commemorated the 1867 founding of Idaho's survey grid and America’s 250th anniversary at the Old Idaho Penitentiary. 

The community event honored the cadastral surveyors who defined the state's boundaries and set the Public Land Survey System for nearly 54 million acres. The Geoholics were honored to play a small part in this awesome celebration!

Here are the folks we were honored to chat with throughout the day:

Josh Strege, Land Surveyor @ BLM

Taylor Stanton, Director Communications and Marketing  @ Foundation for America's Public Lands

John Quincio, Amateur Radio Operator

Tasha Huhta, Land Surveyor @ BLM

HannaLore Hein, Idaho State Historian, Idaho State Historical Society; Vice Chair, America250 in Idaho Task Force

Christian Courtial, Land Surveyor @ BLM

Stuart Ward, Owner @ Dioptra

Music by Johnny Cash!

Episode 283 - Karen Schuckman

This week on The Geoholics, we sit down with Karen Schuckman, Subject Matter Expert in Remote Sensing and Geospatial Services at RRC Companies—and someone who has had a front-row seat to the evolution of modern lidar and airborne mapping.

Karen takes us back to the early days of airborne GPS, before IMUs became standard, and shares how she helped develop groundbreaking data-processing workflows following Hurricane Floyd and supported North Carolina’s pioneering statewide lidar program. We also explore her work supporting major FEMA initiatives, her passion for positional accuracy and data quality, and the continued importance of understanding geodesy, datums, projections and metadata.

This conversation goes well beyond lidar. Karen shares valuable lessons about:

• Turning emerging technology into trusted, defensible deliverables
• Why industry standards and ASPRS guidance matter
• The fundamentals professionals still cannot afford to overlook
• Helping engineers effectively use survey-grade geospatial data
• What lidar’s evolution can teach us about AI, automation and digital twins
• The mindset required to adapt, evolve and stay relevant in a rapidly changing profession

We also discuss what even experienced professionals still misunderstand about lidar, which technologies never lived up to the hype, and what continues to excite Karen after more than two decades of pushing the geospatial profession forward.

Oh—and did we mention Karen was an alternate gymnast for the 1972 Olympics? This episode delivers history, technology, education and one incredible career journey.

Buckle up for Episode 283 and join us as we add value, make friends and explore how accurate geospatial data gets to the right place on the ground.

Music by Jethro Tull!

#TheGeoholics #LiDAR #RemoteSensing #Geospatial #LandSurveying #Geomatics #Photogrammetry #Mapping #GIS #Geodesy #DataQuality #PositionalAccuracy #DigitalTwins #ArtificialIntelligence #SurveyingTechnology #ASPRS #CareerDevelopment #GeospatialLeadership #Podcast

Episode 282 - Tom Yeshurun & Civ Robotics

On Episode 282 of The Geoholics, we sit down with Tom Yeshurun, CEO of Civ Robotics, to explore how automation is transforming construction layout—and what that evolution means for surveyors, contractors, field crews, and the future of the geospatial profession.

Tom shares the real-world frustrations that inspired Civ Robotics, the company’s bold pivot from drones to ground-based robots, and the challenges of earning trust in an industry where accuracy, accountability, and boots-on-the-ground experience still matter. We dig into the line between surveying and construction layout, the productivity and profitability unlocked by robotic point placement, and why automation should elevate field professionals rather than simply replace them.

We also look ahead to the fully connected jobsite—where robotics, machine control, digital twins, and human expertise converge—and discuss the skills today’s young surveyors and geomatics professionals will need to remain valuable in an increasingly automated world.

Precision gets you started. Automation makes you faster. Verification keeps you out of court.

Music by Led Zeppelin

#TheGeoholics #CivRobotics #TomYeshurun #ConstructionRobotics #RoboticLayout #ConstructionTechnology #ConTech #LandSurveying #Surveying #Geomatics #Geospatial #ConstructionLayout #Automation #DigitalTwins #MachineControl #FieldTechnology #RealityCapture #FutureOfConstruction #Innovation #Surveyors #AECIndustry #BuiltEnvironment #LeicaGeosystems #Emlid #TopoDOT #AllTerraCentral #AddingValueAndMakingFriends

Episode 281 - Itzik Malka, CEO and Co-Founder of 4M Analytics

This week on The Geoholics, we’re going underground — literally — with Itzik Malka, CEO and Co-Founder of 4M Analytics, a company helping redefine how surveyors, engineers, designers, and contractors understand the hidden world beneath our feet.

If 4M is the “Google Maps of the underground,” then this conversation is all about why that matters. Kent, Peta, and the crew dig into how 4M is using AI, satellite imagery, utility records, and digital intelligence to turn scattered underground utility data into actionable insights before crews ever step foot on site. From avoiding those dreaded “oh sh*t” utility conflict moments to improving safety, reducing risk, saving money, and helping teams make smarter decisions earlier in the project lifecycle, this one hits right at the intersection of technology, field reality, and the future of infrastructure delivery.

Itzik brings a global perspective, a founder’s mindset, and a passion for solving one of the industry’s most expensive and dangerous problems: not knowing what’s underground until it’s too late. Born in Israel and now leading 4M as CEO and Co-Founder, Itzik also shares a little about life beyond the platform — soccer, music, family, and the entrepreneurial drive behind building something that could change how the entire industry plans, designs, and builds.

We also talk about how tools like 4M can work alongside traditional SUE, survey, CAD, GIS, drones, and scanning workflows — not as a replacement for boots on the ground, but as a way to elevate decision-making, reduce surprises, and help teams show up smarter.

Bottom line: The cheapest utility you’ll ever locate is the one you never hit. Dig smart, not sorry.

Music by Cooper Alan!

Episode 280 - Michael Hart & Bradley Dillon

This week on The Geoholics, we’re digging into the roots of the profession with Michael Hart, BLM Chief Cadastral Surveyor for Idaho, and Bradley Dillon, Lead Surveyor in the Field Section for BLM Idaho. From the legacy of the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Boise Meridian Initial Point to hunting down century-old monuments in rough terrain, this episode is all about the history, grit, problem-solving, and purpose behind cadastral surveying.

We talk field stories, conflicting evidence, protecting public lands, modernizing workflows without losing the integrity of the work, and why mentoring the next generation matters now more than ever. Because cadastral surveyors do not just find boundaries—they build the story, defend the evidence, and preserve a legacy that still shapes millions of acres today.

Buckle up…Episode 280 is one for every surveyor who believes the past still matters, the field still teaches, and the monument still tells the truth.

#TheGeoholics #LandSurveying #CadastralSurveying #BLM #PublicLands #PLSS #Surveyors #Geospatial #Mentorship #America250 #BoiseMeridian #BoundariesMatter

Episode 284 - Alex Chose, Taylor Shepley & YSN National Mentorship Program

In this episode of The Geoholics, we’re talking mentorship, momentum, and the future of land surveying with Alex Chose and Taylor Shepley from the Young Surveyors Network. With applications open for the 2026 YSN National Mentorship Program, Alex and Taylor dig into why mentorship matters right now, not someday, and how structured mentor/mentee relationships can help young surveyors navigate licensure, leadership, business ownership, work-life balance, confidence, and the kind of hard-earned professional judgment that simply cannot be pulled from a textbook or YouTube video. The 2025 pilot program delivered a powerful result, with 100% of questionnaire respondents saying they would recommend it to their peers, and the 2026 program is expanding to 250 participants, signaling real demand and real momentum across the profession.

This one is about more than career advice. It is a call to action for seasoned surveyors to be intentional about passing down knowledge, opening doors, and helping the next generation believe they belong in the room. Alex brings a passion for community, camaraderie, and preservation of wild public lands, while Taylor brings a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of surveyors through his work in the industry and with YSN. Add in a Leica Geosystems Pro Tip on mentorship, Wanda Jackson’s “Let’s Have a Party” as Song of the Week, and the usual Geoholics energy, and you’ve got an episode focused on adding value, making friends, and reminding all of us that the future of surveying depends on what we are willing to share today.

Episode 279 - John Russo & Joseph Romano - USIBD

Episode 279 of The Geoholics is a straight-up masterclass in reality capture, Scan to BIM, digital twins, and the future of the built world. Kent and the crew sit down with industry heavy hitters John Russo and Joseph Romano to unpack how Scan to BIM evolved from a niche service into a game-changing force across the AEC industry. From LOA standards and digital twin ecosystems to AI automation and the risks of “push-button” technology, this episode dives deep into the balance between innovation and professional expertise. The conversation also highlights the critical role of organizations like U.S. Institute of Building Documentation in driving standards, education, and credibility throughout the reality capture community. Toss in some classic Geoholics energy, a little John Mellencamp, industry pro tips, and plenty of future-focused insight—and you’ve got an episode built for anyone serious about where geospatial technology is headed next.

Episode 278 - Shelby Sharpe

This week, we sit down with Shelby Sharpe, an instructional designer and PhD candidate who’s right in the middle of where education meets the real-world geospatial workforce. And let’s just say…she brings some perspective.

We dig into the so-called “workforce shortage” and flip the script...it’s not just about talent, it’s about accessibility, awareness, and how we’re actually training people. Schools are teaching tools…industry needs problem-solvers. Big difference.

Shelby also drops some serious insight on how adults really learn...especially busy professionals, field crews, and PMs. Hint: it’s not sitting through long trainings. It’s solving real problems, in real time, with context that actually matters.

We also get into her journey from practicing geospatial to teaching it, what makes a great technical expert to collaborate with, and how we can better connect education and industry moving forward.

If you care about the future of surveying, geospatial, and the next generation coming into it…this one’s worth your time.

Music by Tom Petty!

GeoWeek 2026 - Part 3 LIVE From Denver!

Check out these highlights from this year's awesome event!!!

00:30 - Rhea Garratt, Manager of Geospatial Desktop at Pix4D...apologies for the technical difficulties!                                    

09:40 - Andy Ives, Survey Manager at Langan Engineering

34:45 - Madeleine Janzen, Technical Sales Specialist at Geo-Plus and William Myers, Director of Operations at Global eTraining

47:55 - Charles Schreiner, Senior Project Manager and Scott Graham, VP and Chief Surveyor at ETM Surveying & Mapping, Inc.

1:10:55 - Rami Tamimi, Founder and Lead Instructor at The Survey School and Geomatics Project Manager at WSP

1:25:55 - Mike Liggett, Owner at Aerial Ethos, LLC and Scott Harrigan, President at Harkin Aerial

GeoWeek 2026 - Part 2 LIVE From Denver!

Check out these highlights from this year's awesome event!!!

00:10 - John Downing, CO-Founder & Chief Product Architect of Leteligence and Vice President of LETEL                                    

24:42 - Jeffrey Martin, Founder CEO at Mosaic - 360º Geospatial Imaging System

41:05 - Andrew Middleton, Owner of The Map Center, New England's Oldest Map Store

1:00:40 - Dr. Mohamed Mostafa, Lead Technical Authority - Mobile Mapping at Trimble Applanix

1:30:15 - Riley Smith, Director, Monitoring, Mining, and Tunneling at Trimble

GeoWeek 2026 - Part 1 LIVE From Denver!

Check out these highlights from this year's awesome event!!!

00:20 - Andres Abeyta, Executive Director at BootcampGIS

15:12 - Joel Gregory, CEO and Mitch McPherson at 12D Synergy

31:05 - Aaron Morris, Director of Innovation at Woolpert

48:40 - Craig Peddie, CEO North America at nfoldROI

1:14:30 - Mario Montagna, Survey Technician and Chad Maxwell, Senior Geomatics Manager at HDR

Episode 277 - Matt Nugent & Overwatch Imaging

This week, we sit down with Matt Nugent from Overwatch Imaging a product leader who didn’t start in geospatial…but now lives and breathes it. And honestly? That outsider perspective might be exactly why he’s helping reshape how this industry thinks.

This episode is all about closing the gap between data and decision-making. Because let’s be real…in geospatial, data has never been the problem whereas knowing what to do with it has.

Matt breaks down how the next generation of geospatial tech is being built:

Not around sensors…but around the operator’s decisionNot around volume of data…but speed + clarity of insightNot around “cool tech”…but real-world impact (wildfires, search & rescue, defense)

“Superhuman Vision”...It’s not about replacing people…it’s about augmenting human judgment at scale.

From agile product development to real-time feedback loops (literally flying systems weekly), this conversation is a masterclass in:

Building products people actually useFinding true product-market fit in geospatialLeveraging AI as an accelerator, not a distraction

If you’re in surveying, remote sensing, or building the future of geospatial tech…this episode is a wake-up call!

Music by Frank Sinatra!

Episode 275 - Ted Knaak & TopoDOT Solutions

This episode of The Geoholics takes us deep into the evolution of surveying—where the industry isn’t just changing…it’s being completely flipped “upside down and inside out.” And leading that conversation? None other than Ted Knaak—OG innovator, founder, and one of the sharpest minds in the point cloud game.

Ted walks us through one of the biggest paradigm shifts our profession has ever seen: we didn’t just improve data collection…we changed the nature of the data itself.

This episode challenges the idea that “more data = better outcomes”… and pushes us to rethink what quality really means in a point cloud world.

Ted calls out one of the biggest gaps in our industry today—dysfunctional data governance. Firms adopting scanning tech without a clear strategy...Workflows being dictated by software instead of mission...Multiple sensors, platforms, and tools creating fragmentation...Lack of defensibility when it actually matters.

TopoDOT Solutions: This isn’t just a name change—it’s a mindset shift.

Ted introduces the idea of defining measurable characteristics of point cloud data—bringing structure, accountability, and true quality assessment into the conversation.

The role of the surveyor is evolving—from collector to interpreter, validator, and data governor.

To stay relevant (and lead), surveyors need to: Understand data at a deeper level...Own quality and traceability...Think beyond deliverables...Think lifecycle!

The firms (and people) who figure out data governance, quality, and strategy first…are going to lead the next era of surveying.

Music by Pigeons Playing Ping Pong!

Episode 274 - Gordon Perry, PLS

This week, The Geoholics take a deep dive underground—literally and figuratively—with rail and LiDAR expert Gordon Perry, PLS. From the streets of Detroit to the tunnels beneath NY Penn Station, Gordon brings a perspective shaped by grit, precision, and a relentless pursuit of quality.

Gordon shares his journey from Lansing Community College into the world of surveying—where curiosity turned into passion, and passion turned into a career spanning some of the most complex infrastructure projects in the country.

We’re talking 1,200 miles of the Amtrak Northeast Corridor, full transit system mapping across MBTA lines, and working in environments most surveyors will never experience—like fully underground rail systems where GPS is nonexistent and precision is everything.

If you’ve been hearing the LiDAR buzz—this episode breaks it down. Gordon walks us through the full workflow. And here’s the truth bomb: Data collection gets the spotlight… but processing is where careers are made or broken.

He also calls out one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry—thinking LiDAR is “push-button easy.” Spoiler alert: it’s not. Not if you care about quality.

Gordon emphasizes that great partners aren’t just technically sound—they’re communicative, accountable, and aligned on expectations.

This episode is a masterclass in staying relevant, delivering quality, and embracing the complexity of our profession.

If you’re in surveying, LiDAR, rail, or just love hearing how the best in the game think—this one’s a must-listen.

Music by Genesis!!!

Episode 276 - ASPRS Gulf South Region

In this episode of The Geoholics, we go full geospatial nerd mode with several leaders from the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) — a professional organization that’s been shaping the mapping and imaging sciences since 1934. That’s right… these folks were advancing mapping science before lidar was cool and long before anyone thought strapping cameras to drones was a good idea.

Joining the show are Dr. Balaji Ramachandran, Dr. Unal Okyay, Bill Swope, and Scott Dunham, representing the ASPRS Gulf South Region, where they’re working to grow a tight-knit geospatial community across Texas and Louisiana. From certifications to conferences to career-changing connections, this episode dives into why professional organizations still matter in an industry evolving at warp speed.

We kick things off at 30,000 feet discussing what ASPRS actually does and why surveyors, drone pilots, photogrammetrists, lidar specialists, and GIS pros should care. With nearly a century of history behind it, ASPRS has helped establish standards, promote education, and advance technologies that form the backbone of modern geospatial workflows.

The conversation also digs into ASPRS certifications — including Certified Photogrammetrist (CP) and Certified Mapping Scientist (CMS) — and how these credentials can elevate careers, validate expertise, and help professionals stand out in a rapidly growing field. 

We also preview the ASPRS Gulf South Geospatial Conference, happening at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where attendees can expect technical sessions on topics like mobile lidar for railroads, geospatial accuracy standards, photorealistic 3D visualization, and lidar data assessment — plus a panel discussion moderated by your very own Geoholics host....Mr. Kent Groh!

Beyond the tech talk, the episode highlights initiatives like the Jim Gillis Memorial Education Fund, which helps remove financial barriers for students and young professionals pursuing careers in mapping sciences — proving that investing in the next generation is just as important as pushing the technology forward.

Organizations like ASPRS play a critical role in maintaining standards, professional credibility, and ethical practice as geospatial technology becomes more accessible to everyone.

If you care about the future of geospatial technology, professional credibility, and building a stronger community in the mapping sciences, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Music by Pink Floyd!

Episode 273 - Brian Owens

This week, the crew sit down with Brian Owens, VP of Safety & Team Development at Buesing Corp., author, songwriter, and a leader whose philosophy challenges the industry to rethink what safety really means. Drawing from a career spanning combat engineering, mining, oil & gas, and heavy civil construction, Brian introduces listeners to the concept of “inversion” — the idea that true safety culture isn’t built through rules and enforcement, but through perspective, connection, and shared humanity. 

Rather than treating safety as compliance paperwork or a reaction to incidents, Brian explains why behavior only changes when people understand why safety matters to each other — not just to policy. The discussion dives into the tension many organizations face between production and protection, revealing why separating safety from productivity may actually create more risk instead of less.

Throughout the episode, storytelling takes center stage. Brian shares lessons learned from high-risk environments where leadership presence, vulnerability, and trust made the difference between near-misses and tragedies. The conversation explores how leaders can recognize performative safety cultures, shift from reactive investigation cycles, and build what he calls a “zero-incident mindset” — a cultural belief system rather than a metric.

Listeners will walk away with practical insights, including:

-Why compliance alone rarely changes behavior

-How perspective reshapes risk awareness

-The role of humility and leadership vulnerability on jobsites

-Small “inversions” organizations can implement immediately

-Why safety and production must operate as one system, not competing priorities

At its core, Episode 273 reminds us that safety isn’t about preventing failure — it’s about valuing people enough to change how we see one another at work.

Song of the Week from the Phoenix-based High Lonesome Drifters.

Episode 272 - Mikel Bowman & Bowman Legacies

This week on The Geoholics, we fire up the mics, and dive head-first into something bigger than business, bigger than titles… bigger than ego.

Legacy.

Our guest, Mikel Bowman — President of Bowman Legacies, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and best-selling author of Lead From the Middle — joins us to talk about the difference between being remembered… and actually making a difference.

Spoiler alert:-Legends get applause.-Legacies change lives.

Mikel doesn’t preach leadership from a boardroom. He talks about getting in the dirt with your people — job sites, shop floors, and real-world pressure where culture either shows up… or falls apart. From near-miss moments on projects to coaching CEOs and first-timers alike, he shares why servant leadership, mindset shifts, and culture-first thinking are the real levers that save teams (and sometimes lives).

We unpack:

Why culture beats process every time

The biggest leadership blind spots managers don’t want to admit

What separates managers from leaders from legacy builders

How one tough question can silence a room — and spark real change

And why leadership starts in the messy middle, not the corner office

This episode hits home for anyone leading crews, projects, families, or companies — especially those of us in survey, geospatial, and construction who know leadership isn’t theory… it’s boots-on-the-ground reality.

If you’ve ever thought:

“There’s got to be a better way to lead…”

This one’s for you.

Because at the end of the day…It’s not about building your résumé...It’s about building people...And building something that outlives you!

Music by Metallica!!

Episode 271 - Marc Goldman

Buckle up, Geoholics… this one’s for the builders, the dreamers, and the tech rebels.

This week we sit down with Marc Goldman — part storyteller, part pilot, part GIS evangelist, and 100% believer that location intelligence is the secret sauce behind the future of the built environment.

Marc didn’t follow the “safe” path. He walked away from architecture and engineering school at 21 to start his first AEC-tech company — betting on himself before “startup culture” was even a thing. Thirty years later, after navigating startups, global orgs, and everything in between, he’s still pushing the industry forward… helping architects, engineers, and surveyors finally see how GIS connects all the dots.

And trust us… this isn’t just a “software talk”...this is mindset stuff.

We get into:

• Taking big risks early and why failure is the best professor

• The real difference between startups and enterprise culture

• Bridging the gap between CAD, BIM, and spatial thinking

• Where GIS actually delivers value (not just buzzwords)

• Digital twins, reality capture, and what’s practical vs hype

• Leading teams through change without losing your people

• Inspiring early-career pros to find their lane in AEC tech

• And what’s next… AI, interoperability, and the data-driven future of our industry

Marc’s passion is contagious — especially when he talks about helping the next generation “take flight” (literally and figuratively). His analogies from flying airplanes to flying careers hit home in true Geoholics fashion.

If you’ve ever wondered how survey, GIS, BIM, and reality capture finally come together into one ecosystem, this episode connects the dots.

Big energy. Big perspective. Big future.

So whether you’re in the field, the office, or cruising at 30,000 feet...hit play and let’s map it out.

As always — Add value. Make friends. TITS OUT & CHIN UP!

Music by Pink Floyd!

Episode 270 - Rob Cammack & SmartDrone

This week the Geoholics crew sits down with Rob Cammack — entrepreneur, builder, and CEO/Founder of SmartDrone — a guy who’s basically been innovating since most of us were trading baseball cards. From launching businesses as a kid to founding and selling multiple companies, Rob brings that rare mix of grit, vision, and “there’s gotta be a better way” thinking that our industry desperately needs.

We dive headfirst into the origin story behind Magellan, the first “No Drone Expert Required” LiDAR drone — and why it’s flipping the script on how survey firms adopt technology. No six-figure science projects. No “drone guy risk.” Just practical robotics that turn everyday crews into productivity machines.

But this episode isn’t just about hardware — it’s about mindset.

Rob talks:

-Building companies (and selling them) without losing your soul

-Removing friction so surveyors can focus on surveying

-Why LiDAR is the great unlock for mapping pros stuck in camera-only workflows

-How robotics can upgrade people, not replace them

-What “world-class talent” really looks like in a tech-driven survey company

-And where the surveying industry is headed in the next 5–10 years

It’s equal parts leadership, innovation, and straight-up field practicality — the kind of conversation that makes you rethink how your team operates Monday morning.

If you care about LiDAR, drones, scaling your survey operations, or building a future-proof business…this one’s a must-listen.

Because sometimes innovation isn’t about flying higher…it’s about making it simple enough that everyone can fly.

Music by The Killers!

Episode 269 - Jenna Kent

In this episode of The Geoholics Podcast, the crew dives deep—both literally and figuratively—into the world of archaeology, GIS, and cultural resource management with special guest Jenna Kent, Archaeologist at Jacobs Engineering Group.

From growing up across Texas, Mississippi, Utah, and Hawaii as part of a military family, to excavating 7th-century monasteries and 12th-century abbeys in Ireland, Jenna’s journey has been anything but ordinary. That geographic diversity helped shape her appreciation for landscapes, cultures, and the human stories hidden beneath them.

The conversation explores what archaeology really looks like beyond the movies—balancing rugged fieldwork with complex office analysis—and why cultural resource compliance is far more technical, analytical, and geospatially driven than most people realize.

Listeners get an inside look at:

>Prehistoric ceramic replication and how recreating ancient pottery reveals insights no textbook ever could

>Surveying 15 miles of wilderness at Bandelier National Monument, one of Jenna’s career-defining projects

>How archaeologists decode fragmented evidence like a massive puzzle with missing pieces

>The growing role of GIS in archaeology, including site density modeling, probability mapping, and interactive story maps

>Where surveyors, mappers, LiDAR professionals, and archaeologists can collaborate more effectively

>The powerful human moments that remind us archaeology is ultimately about people—not artifacts

Jenna closes the episode with thoughtful advice for young professionals looking to enter archaeology, cultural resources, or GIS—encouraging curiosity, patience, and a willingness to embrace both science and storytelling.

This episode is a reminder that whether you’re mapping terrain, scanning infrastructure, or excavating history—context matters, layers matter, and collaboration across disciplines makes us all better.

Song of the Week: “New Orleans Is Sinking” by The Tragically Hip

Episode 268 - Keith Masback

As former CEO of USGIF, Keith reflects on what fueled the organization’s massive growth, the importance of building strong academic pipelines, and why developing people has always been just as critical as advancing technology. We explore the evolution of GEOINT education, the skills today’s students must master, and why adaptability now outweighs specialization.

The conversation turns toward the future of the industry—interoperability challenges, outdated policies slowing innovation, and the growing tension between traditional mapping workflows and real-time, AI-enabled geospatial intelligence. Keith offers an insider’s perspective on what’s working, what’s broken, and what he would redesign if the GEOINT enterprise were built from scratch today.

As an advisor and investor, Keith also shares what separates startups that struggle from those that truly move the needle—highlighting the mindset, leadership traits, and clarity of purpose required to survive in an increasingly crowded geospatial market.

We close with a powerful reflection on the single lesson Keith believes every geospatial professional must understand to make a meaningful impact in this rapidly evolving industry—plus his personal mantra that continues to guide his journey.

If you care about leadership, policy, innovation, AI, startups, and the future of geospatial intelligence, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Music by Spafford!

Episode 267 - Dillon Harp, RPLS, LSLS, CFedS

Episode 267 is a masterclass in discipline, faith, leadership, and next-level surveying as the Geoholics crew sits down with Dillon Harp—a surveyor whose journey started at just 16 years old and has led him to become a nationally respected leader in the profession.

Born on Carswell Air Force Base and raised with a strong sense of structure and service, Dillon shares how early exposure to hard work, responsibility, and mentorship shaped his approach to both surveying and leadership. From cutting his teeth in his dad’s survey company to earning his RPLS at the age of 23, Dillon’s story is one of focus, humility, and relentless growth.

The conversation dives deep into his dual academic and hands-on education, the value of learning the profession from the ground up, and how those early field lessons still guide how he leads teams today as Director of Survey Operations for Energy & Power. Dillon also breaks down advanced topics like gradient boundary surveys, LSLS projects, and CFedS certification, offering real-world advice for young surveyors who want to push beyond the basics and specialize.

Beyond the technical side, this episode hits hard on purpose and service. Dillon opens up about his faith, his commitment to being a servant leader, and his passion for giving back through TSPS involvement and student outreach. Recognition like being named TSPS Young Surveyor of the Year is discussed not as an endpoint—but as a responsibility to lift others up and leave the profession better than he found it.

Dillon caps it all off by sharing the one piece of advice he’d give his 16-year-old self standing on that first survey crew—wisdom earned through years of experience, mistakes, and growth.

Another episode that reminds us surveying isn’t just a job—it’s a calling, a craft, and a community.

Music by Alan Jackson!!