TSPS: How/why did you get into surveying?

Eric: Like a number of us, my introduction to land surveying was accidental. The summer I turned 16 (1996), I found that I had been “volunteered” by my father for my first “real” summer job. I grew up in a small town which was home to the owner a large civil engineering firm. Over the years the firm gave several of us 'small town kids' our first introduction to both land surveying and the workforce. I was hooked from the first summer and worked summer breaks, spring breaks and Christmas holidays for the rest of high school ultimately converting to a full-time employee when I graduated.

TSPS: Why did you join TSPS?

Eric: I joined TSPS because my employer was sponsoring my membership, I also joined to network. However, over time my approach and overall view of TSPS changed. TSPS and others like it, help to preserve our profession’s role in society at large. It was clear over the past year in dealings with our elected officials, that very few of those officials truly understand what professional land surveying is or why it matters. I believe that the vast majority of TSPS members and professionals act as passionate advocates for the profession. However, many voices acting independently tend to get drowned out by more unified groups. TSPS  represents our best avenue to speak with one voice and to be as loud as necessary. We need an effective unified voice to keep the public educated about the service and protection that we provide. Recognizing that desperate need for an effective unified voice has driven my renewed level of interest in TSPS.   

TSPS: What is your most memorable surveying moment?

Eric: My most memorable surveying moment will always be associated with birth of my son. He was born late on a Sunday. We were able to bring him home from the hospital Tuesday evening. I headed to Austin Wednesday afternoon and sat for the RPLS exam on Thursday morning. While the timeline of that week tends to run together, I will never forget either life altering event.

Eric's Favorites:

Color: Yellow
Food: All things Mexican or Greek
Animal: Roadrunner
Singer/Band/Group: Varies from time to time, however listening to a lot of Jason Boland and the Stragglers currently
Hobbies: Playing music

Eric is a newly elected TSPS Director and currently a TSPS Chapter 2 - North Central Texas member.