Bridging the Field and the Office – Accuracy, Adoption & the Future of Photogrammetry!

This week, we sit down with Dallas VanZanten, a self-taught innovator who’s redefining the intersection of construction, geospatial, and technology.

From his early “aha” moment with drones in 2015 to his work helping companies implement Datumate’s DatuBIM platform, Dallas is proof that when accuracy meets adoption, digital construction becomes unstoppable.

A few things we talked about included:

 ✅ Building trust between field crews & project managers

 ✅ Avoiding accuracy pitfalls in coordinate systems & datums

 ✅ The evolution of drones from novelty to necessity

 ✅ How AI & automation are shaping the next five years

Music by NF!

#TheGeoholics #Geospatial #Surveying #RealityCapture #ConstructionTech #Datumate #DatuBIM #Drones #Photogrammetry #Innovation #AEC #Podcast #Accuracy #Adoption #Leadership #addingvalue #makingfriends

A huge thanks to our featured partners Emlid TopoDOT AllTerra Central, Inc. Leica Geosystems part of Hexagon NLC Test Prep GEODNET David Evans and Associates, Inc. Diamondback Land Surveying

This week The Geoholics dive deep into the heart of the geospatial community with the rising leaders of the ASPRS Early Career Professionals Council — Jordan Hicks, Greg Stamnes, and Riley O’Donnell

From lidar to leadership, mentorship to momentum, these three are proving that the next generation of mapping pros is fired up and ready to shape the industry’s future.

Jordan, Greg, and Riley share what drew them to ASPRS and why getting involved early changed everything. They talk about building confidence, seizing opportunities, and the power of showing up — even when you feel like the new kid in a room full of experts.

The trio dives into what makes mentorship the secret sauce of career growth. From the ASPRS Mentors Podcast to hands-on guidance from industry veterans, they unpack how authentic mentor-mentee relationships can transform careers — and why giving back is the ultimate ROI.

Breaking into photogrammetry, remote sensing, and GIS isn’t easy. The guests discuss imposter syndrome, limited exposure to field tech, and how ASPRS provides the network, training, and inspiration to overcome those hurdles — one peer connection at a time.

Drones, AI, and automation are reshaping how we collect and use geospatial data. The conversation explores how ASPRS can bridge the academic–industry gap, keeping early-career professionals ahead of the curve while honoring the science’s roots.

Leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about influence. These young pros share how they’re learning to lead through service, communication, and collaboration within ASPRS while balancing growing careers of their own.

Each guest offers their “aha” moment — from career-defining mentorships to community wins — and leaves listeners with one powerful piece of advice: Get involved. Stay curious. And remember — the geospatial world only moves forward when we move together.

Huge thanks to EMLID, TopoDOT, AllTerra Central, Hexagon, NLC Prep, GEODNET, David Evans & Associates, and DBLS — we couldn’t do this without you!

Music by Cucamaras!!

Our very own Peta Cox attended this year's awesome event in Brisbane and walked away with some amazing and insightful interviews.

Do not miss these conversations that included the following individuals:

Paul Miller, COO @ Sitech

Darryl Gowlett, Owner - Darryl Gowlett Surveyors Pty Ltd 

Tony Byrnes, Business Operations Manager @ WW Surveys

Luke Johnson, Product Manager @ Trimble

Steven (Shep) Sheppard, Geospatial Solutions Manager @ Trimble 

Music by Hoodoo Gurus!!

This week the crew sat down with Dane Courville, PLS-II and Survey Leader for CDOT Region 1, to explore the life and lessons of a surveyor who’s made his mark across metes and bounds, Texas, and PLSS. Growing up in Opelousas, Louisiana, Dane’s story is one of grit, growth, and giving back to the profession.

Dane shared how working across different land systems taught him that geography, history, and law all shape the surveyor’s role. From land development to energy and transportation, his career has spanned multiple sectors, each leaving him with a deeper perspective on the craft.

We unpacked his manual—its success, feedback, and the opportunities it has opened. Dane also discussed his continuing education program with WFPS, particularly around oil and gas surveying, a niche where his expertise runs deep.

Passionate about building confidence in the next generation, Dane believes passing licensing exams is less about pure survey knowledge and more about test-taking skills and mindset. His mission? To mentor aspiring professionals and help them see themselves as capable, licensed surveyors-in-the-making.

Dane has spoken at most western state conferences and made a bold, open offer to bring his voice eastward. His goal is simple: share knowledge, spread encouragement, and leave a lasting legacy of mentorship, confidence, and professional pride.

Music by The Cure!!!

In this inspiring episode of The Geoholics Podcast, Kent is joined by special guests Anna Rios and Amanda Allred to shine a spotlight on the Future Surveyors Foundation and the upcoming Women Surveyors Summit (WSS) 2025 in Las Vegas.

The show kicks off with Geoholics news and happenings—INTERGEO, Trimble Dimensions, and, of course, the highly anticipated Women Surveyors Summit in October. Powered by EMLID and supported by our incredible sponsors, this episode blends industry updates with thought-provoking dialogue about the future of surveying.

The guests share the origin story and mission of the Future Surveyors Foundation—creating opportunity, inspiration, and support for a diverse geospatial workforce. Listeners get an inside look at programs like PRISM+ALLIES, the Women Surveyors Summit, and mentorship partnerships designed to strengthen the profession while opening doors for underrepresented groups

We dive deep into the philosophy behind the Summit—“for women, by women”—and what that means for event design and delivery. From continuing education tracks to ethics sessions, the 2025 edition promises fresh opportunities for growth, networking, and empowerment. The conversation highlights why Las Vegas was chosen as the host city and teases some standout program elements happening October 23–26, 2025

The Foundation also proudly announces the Geoholics Scholarship winners—Isabella Totra & Iris Saldana—future leaders carrying the torch for the next generation of surveyors

As always, we add a cultural twist with our Song of the Week: Tim McGraw’s “Humble & Kind”—a reminder of the values that guide both our personal lives and professional journeys

Listeners also catch the latest GEODNET count update, proving that satellites, crypto, and surveying are more connected than ever.

The episode closes with a powerful challenge: what can you do to inspire and support the next generation of surveyors? Whether it’s attending the Summit, mentoring, or sponsoring initiatives, the message is clear—change starts with community and commitment.

#addvalue #makefriends #beageoholic

This week the boys fired up the mics for an episode that’s equal parts rock concert, tech summit, and surveying masterclass. Sponsored by Emlid, the show kicked off with news, happenings, and a little Linkin Park fuel—because nothing says “let’s talk LiDAR and AI” like One Step Closer pounding in the background.

After the TopoDOT Song of the Week and a few Hexagon pro tips, the crew welcomed Alex Baikovitz, Co-Founder and CEO of Mach9. Born in Miami, forged at Carnegie Mellon, and seasoned by building robots to inspect nuclear facilities, Alex has one mission: help computers understand and interact with the physical world.

We dug deep into Mach9’s origin story—starting with reality capture hardware for surveyors and pivoting to automated 3D mapping software that extracts features faster than you can say “digital twin.” From the fusion of LiDAR, AI, and edge computing, to real-world use cases that are saving clients serious time and money, Alex painted a picture of where geospatial intelligence is headed.

Highlights included:

The future of geospatial intelligence is already here, and companies like Mach9 are leading the charge. From automating feature extraction to enabling real-time insights with AI, Alex reminded us that innovation isn’t about replacing the surveyor, it’s about empowering them to work smarter, faster, and safer. So take this conversation as both a challenge and an invitation: embrace the technology, lean into the change, and remember that adding value and making friends is always the ultimate return on investment!!!

This week’s episode was fueled by innovation, mentorship, and a whole lot of passion for the surveying profession. Brought to you by EMLID, the crew kicked things off with Geoholics News & Happenings, some personal catch-ups, and the TopoDOT Song of the Week—a nod to Ozzy Osbourne’s Flying High Again. Perfect choice, considering the theme of perseverance and vision that ran through the conversation.

Sponsors Spotlight

EMLID: All-in-one aerial survey kit—GNSS, checkpoints, tools, and streamlined workflows.

TopoDOT: Total data governance for point cloud workflows.

Diamondback Land Surveying (DBLS): A full-service firm delivering precision, reliability, and cutting-edge tech to the industry.

GeoSearch: Connecting geoscience professionals with career opportunities.

GEODNET: 18,620 satellite miners strong, powering precision navigation for drones, AVs, AR, and beyond.

Trimble: Partnering with surveyors to shape a sustainable future.

Culture & Flavor

Alongside the usual Geoholics flavor—pro tips from Esri, GeoSearch Career Corner updates, and some words of wisdom courtesy of Ozzy himself—the stage was set for a deep dive into surveying leadership.

Guest Spotlight – Trent Keenan

From Omaha roots to Las Vegas hustle, Trent Keenan has carved out a reputation as not only a successful business owner but also a mentor and advocate for the next generation of surveyors. His hobbies (photography, golf, biking, half-marathons, even calf exercises!) may keep him balanced, but his heart is in advancing the profession.

Key themes from the conversation:

Pivotal Moments: The turning points that shaped Trent into a recognized voice for the industry.

Mentorship: Stories from Mentoring Mondays and the mentors who shaped his path.

Challenges of Ownership: Lessons learned while building Diamondback Land Surveying.

Future of Surveying: Balancing rapid tech adoption—LiDAR, drones, reality capture—with the craft’s timeless fundamentals.

Industry Advocacy: Breaking down barriers for new entrants and inspiring seasoned pros to step up as mentors.

Legacy & Motivation: The impact Trent hopes to leave and what keeps him fired up day after day.

The Elevator Pitch: His 30-second sell to high school students—why surveying is a career worth pursuing.

Closing Notes

As always, the Geoholics closed the show with a mix of humor, insight, and a few reminders:

And of course, Trent left us all Flying High Again.

This week the crew sat down with Carla Lauter, Senior Content Manager for Geo Week and the Commercial UAV Expo—and let’s just say, curiosity is her superpower!

We kicked things off with Geoholics News & Happenings, a few laughs, and some sponsor shoutouts (big thanks to Emlid, TopoDOT, AllTerra Central, Hexagon, NLC Prep, GEODNET, and David Evans & Associates—you rock!). 

Carla took us on a journey through her unique path—from studying marine biology and environmental science to NASA Earth Science, where she translated complex ocean data into stories the rest of us could actually understand. Today, she’s the mastermind behind programming some of the biggest geospatial events on the planet.

We dug into:

NASA stories & ocean science – including mind-blowing ocean facts and the challenge of making satellites sound sexy.

Geo Week’s evolution – from niche gatherings like SPAR3D & ILMF to a global stage driving geospatial innovation.

Industry trends – UAVs, digital twins, NSRS modernization, and what to expect at future shows.

Storytelling secrets – how beer blogging and science communication shaped her approach to engaging technical audiences.

Parenting parallels – Carla’s life raising a toddler (spoiler: stomping in puddles is just as rewarding as moderating a keynote).

Of course, we wrapped with some quick-fire fun: Syracuse winters vs. toddler parenting, favorite bedtime books, toddler songs on repeat, and what style of beer best represents Geo Week (you’ll have to listen for her answer).

Curiosity isn’t just a career driver—it’s a way to live, learn, and connect with people.

Music by Billy Joel!

In this episode, we hit the road—literally—with Tim Hawthorne and the Auburn University Geo Explorer crew, the masterminds behind America’s first solar-powered, science-on-wheels geoscience lab. We cruised through the big ideas that sparked its creation (spoiler: one was so wild it nearly made the RV blush), how pioneering status shaped every bolt and blueprint, and the logistical magic of fitting cutting-edge tech into a space smaller than some people’s closets.

We geeked out on the coolest hands-on moments—think drone flights, augmented reality, and rock-solid geology demos—that had students’ eyes lighting up brighter than the RV’s solar panels. We shared heart-warming stories from Title I and underserved schools where the Geo Explorer’s visit was more than a field trip—it was a spark for future scientists.

From hydrogeology to GIS, and from navigating tricky school-day parking logistics to dreaming about future VR tours and global expeditions, the team proved that science isn’t just about data—it’s about people, passion, and creating “aha” moments.

By the end, one thing was clear: when the wheels stop rolling, the curiosity keeps going—and that’s the real mission accomplished.

Music by Johnny Cash!

Check out these highlights from Day 2 of this year's awesome event!!!

00:30 - Matthew Bainbridge - Principal @ Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.

14:10 - Jason Haynes - Reality Capture Director/Survey Division Manager @ Pennoni

34:55 - Gavin Schrock - Consulting Editor and Land Surveyor & Shane O'Regan - Director iCON, Building Construction Field Portfolio at Leica Geosystems part of Hexagon

53:42 - Bernhard Richter - VP Geomatics @ Leica Geosystems part of Hexagon

01:07:10 - Liam Thierens - Partner | General Manager - Spatial @ Bennett + Bennett