TSPS: How/why did you get into surveying?

Jake: I got into surveying at a very young age. My father, Mark Lupher his father, Bill Lupher and my Great-Great Grandfather, A.B. Lupher were all Registered Professional Land Surveyors and Registered Engineers in Texas. All of my father's brothers, my brothers and a few of my cousins are all surveyors as well. At age 12, my Uncles Bob Lupher and Trigg Lupher asked me if I would like to help them by working on a survey field crew during my spring break. So began my surveying career, helping the crew carry equipment and holding the dumb end of a steel chain under a WILD T-2. Most of our work at that time was surveying unimproved, undeveloped “wooded” areas.

TSPS: Why did you join TSPS?

Jake: I was encouraged by my uncle Bob Lupher to join TSPS. He mentioned to me the value of TSPS in regard to educational opportunities and the ability to network and learn from other members in the profession. Bob later became an Officer and President of TSPS Chapter 9.

TSPS: What is your most memorable surveying moment?

Jake: I have had many great memories throughout my surveying career. I think about all of the schools I have worked on, boundary surveys, layout of a sun clock, subdivisions, golf courses, sports complexes, pipelines, chemical plants, terminals, surveys for celebrity sports figures and team owners and so much more. I did a couple of surveys for the FAA to identify satellite obstructions on the horizon. Once we did an ALTA survey on an old quarter mile drag strip. We had two crews working out of two late 1970’s loaded down suburbans, and yes, there were multiple drag competitions on the drag strip prior to completing the job (but only after our work for the day was complete)! 

Jake's Favorites:

Color: Green
Food: Tie between Texas BBQ and Seafood 
Animal: American Bald Eagle
Singer/Band/Group: Old country music, the Texas music scene, classic rock and southern rock, but I enjoy all genres
Hobbies: I enjoy playing guitar, hunting and fishing, photographing nature, woodworking and home remodel/renovation projects and competition BBQ cook-offs

Jake is chair of the SIT/RPLS Study Group Sub-Committee to Education.