The Geoholics

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!!

This one’s got HEART. In Episode 266 of The Geoholics, we sit down with Dustin Gardner, PLS—a guy who somehow combined American literature, math, criminal justice, surveying, fatherhood, service, and storytelling into one damn good life. From San Diego roots to EV infrastructure projects… From survey outreach and historical preservation to mentoring foster youth… From fishing with his son to writing books that challenge how we think about purpose… Dustin is living proof that surveying isn’t just lines, points, and coordinates—it’s context, character, and contribution. We talk career moments that make you stop and say “I belong here”, why teaching the next generation matters, how storytelling and surveying are basically cousins, and what it means to build a legacy that goes way beyond the job title. This episode will: -Inspire you -Ground you -Remind you why you got into this profession -And probably make you call a mentor you haven’t talked to in a while Hit play. Trust us.  Music by Waylon Jennings!

Check out these highlights from Day 2 of this year's awesome event!!! 01:10 - Will Wing PLS, Owner Operator\CEO @ Infinity Land Surveying, LLC & Dustin Gardner PLS, Land Surveyor @ Diamondback Land Surveying. 18:05 - Klaus Thymann, Explorer, Scientist, Creator - Fellow @ The Explorers Club & The Royal Geographical Society - Expert Roster @ UNESCO UN - Founder Project Pressure 37:40 - Dr. Scott Peterson, Associate Professor, Geomatics Engineering at Fresno State University & Tom Cardenas, Senior Vice President at CSDS, Inc. 01:01:25 - Brian Manning, CEO/Founder of Xona Space Systems & Olivier Casabianca, Vice President, Advanced Positioning Sector @ Trimble, Inc.   

Check out these highlights from Day 1 of this year's awesome event!!! 04:30 - Cyndee Hoagland, Senior Vice President for Trimble's Owner and Public Sector & Adrian Newcombe, Director of Product Management Utilities and Public Admin at Trimble 25:45 - Eric Glaves PLS, Survey Analyst at David Evans and Associates, Inc. 41:30 - Tom Cardenas, Senior Vice President at CSDS, Inc. & Bob Berti, Owner at California Construction Control 1:03:00 - Karl Bradshaw, Director of Product Management, Reality Capture at Trimble Inc. & Arnaud Lezennec, Senior Applications Engineer at Trimble Inc. 1:20:30 - Stephanie Michaud, Director of Product Management, Field Software at Trimble Inc. & Andreas Sinning, Director of Marketing at Trimble Navigation  

Check out these highlights from Day 2 of this year's awesome event!!! 00:10 - Kristie Achee, Sr. Project Manager @ QK & Kathy Nitayangkul, Land Surveyor and Partner @ Polaris Land Surveying 14:00 - Carol Morman, Owner @ CLM Surveying & Engineering and Program Chair, Professor Land Surveying @ Cincinnati State Technical and Community College & Cara Tryling, Professional Land Surveyor @ Brandstetter Carroll Inc.  28:45 - Isabella Totra, Student @ Saint Louis University & Iris Saldana-Zapata, Senior CAD Technician @ Sabak, Wilson & Lingo, Inc and Student @ Vincennes University AND 2026 Geoholics WSS Scholarship WINNERS!! 45:10 - Kaitlin Constantine, Professional Land Surveyor @ DOWL and YOUNGEST female licensed land surveyor in NV & Rita Lumos quite possibly the OLDEST female licensed land surveyor in NV!!! 1:01:20 - Evi De La Rosa Ricciardi, Professor Land Surveying Engineering @ University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez & Genesis Feliciano, Student @ University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez & Yanielyz Paola, Student @ University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez