TSPS: How/why did you get into surveying?

Steven: I first got into surveying through family members. My great grandfather, Perry Thompson, Sr., RPLS, LSLS and past TBPLS Board Member, grandfather, Perry Thompson, Jr., PE, RPLS and uncle, Perry Thompson, III, Architect, Interior Designer, RPLS were all respected professionals in great state of Texas. While the surveying profession wasn't my original career path, being surrounded by the profession since I was old enough to go out with my grandfather and hold a prism pole or level rod, eventually helped me turn what I knew best and make surveying my now career of choice.   

TSPS: Why did you join TSPS?

Steven: I joined originally because my family had been long time members, supporters and held roles of leadership with TSPS. However, I personally joined to connect with friends and colleagues. Throughout the years, I have made many more friends with my involvement in TSPS.  

TSPS: What is your most memorable surveying moment?

Steven: There have been many memorable moments made throughout my career, but one memory brought up recently by an old colleague, Michael R. Hannah, RPLS really stuck out. One late spring we were performing an oil and gas unit survey in northern Rusk County which was situated within a large flat partially flooded creek bottom. While traversing through the bottoms, we came to a very large slough which appeared to have no way around it. We knew we had several corners to look for on the other side to set up some of the boundaries for the unit and there appeared to be no end to the water from our view. After analyzing our next move we decided to press forward and cross the slough. I was leading our crossing where we faced chest deep water and stirred up water moccasins, I think I chopped about five or six heads off of the snakes. We finally made it across, we still stood in knee-deep water and ended up finding the old original corners and some witness trees in which we were hoping to locate. At the end we were tired, muddy and dirt but it was a very rewarding day. 

Steven's Favorites:

Color: Green
Food: Mexican & BBQ
Animal: Ducks
Singer: George Straight
Hobbies: Hunting

Steven is currently the TSPS Secretary/Treasurer and Chapter 4 Representative.