Early Career

“Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us.” –Oscar Wilde

Survey-Tech / Instrument Operator

Wilbur Smith Inc. Aug 2007-Aug 2009 Columbia, SC 2 Years

Desiring to expand my understanding of the Survey and GIS professions, I was given the opportunity at Wilbur Smith Associates to further my career by participating in large roadway and utility projects, perfecting my skills and procedures in the field becoming proficient in GPS Static and RTK networks, Integrated Surveying, Alignments and High Accuracy Data Collection.  I was able to utilize the skills gained here to advance in the civil sphere throughout my career.  Thank you John.

Survey-Tech / GIS Analyst / Programmer

Woolpert Inc. Jun 2005-Jul 2007 Columbia, SC 2 Years

Gained real world experience with GPS RTK equipment and traditional field procedures in large construction, government and civic spheres. 

My responsibilities at Woolpert led me to become an expert in AutoCad's Land Desktop Survey and Mapping environment as well as gaining experience in Microstation. Going further I was called upon to master ESRI GIS Desktop Software and the fundamentals of photogrammetry.

Creating a program to display both project information and NGS Survey marks using geodetic calculations to compensate for latitude in Google earth or ESRI desktop for planning purposes with dynamic sort filters integrated with company intra-net software highlights my early interest in and computer programming talent.

Received an advanced GPS training certificate, became red cross certified in level II first aid, received training and certification to work on CSX railways and have received three awards for excellence.  Thank you Gary.

Woolpert World Award 2007

For exceeding expectations and developing methodology to develop the US DOD Real Property Inventory Database in conjunction with the BRAC effort.

Woolpert World Award 2006

For excellence in performing as a Drafting Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Mental Health Site Surveys

Woolpert World Award 2005

For excellence in providing technical leadership, equipment, and methodology expertise.

Draftsperson

Garsed Land Survey May 2004-Apr 2005 Fairhope, AL 1 Year

I began work at Garsed Land Survey as a draftsman in a sole proprietorship operation. Being highly self-motivated I soon took on a more responsible role, performing research, identifying client needs, and performing field work in a very fast paced environment, maintaining my original duties as a draftsperson. 

Recognizing my potential, I was trained in the more intellectual aspects of land surveying and error elimination exposing me to advanced material such as rational formulas for storm water management, geodesy, and social responsibility of the professional. 

While at Garsed Land Survey I produced over 100 quality plats, becoming an expert in survey drafting.  Accumulating the skills needed to take a project from contract to product as an independent technician in a professional environment has become a great asset to me. Working at Garsed Land Survey was a career changing experience and I will forever be humbled by the doors it has opened up for me.  

Thank you Mr. Garsed. We miss you.

Carpenter Crew Chief

James Cameron Construction Apr 2002-Apr 2004 Columbia, SC  2 Year

Working as a carpenter for Mr. Cameron was an excellent stepping stone into the civil field. Through my hard work I was promoted from Carpenter to Party Chief and took on the responsibility of maintaining the company vehicle and all equipment needed to perform our job.

I participated in the construction of over 40 properties during my service to Mr. Cameron and was able to prove myself a reliable and responsible employee.

Graphic Designer

Gulf Coast Outdoors Feb 1999-May 2001 Fairhope, AL 2 Years

During my service to Gulf Coast Outdoors (now Great Day Outdoors) magazine I created all advertisement layout, story content layout, cover design, and tidal feeding charts for this 100 page hunting and fishing monthly under a tight deadline. While at the magazine I defined the visual style for the publication and created the procedures for managing pre-press operations used for many years.

1066design 

Aug 1998-May 2003

As a freelance designer, owned and operated a small business designing logos, promotional material, advertisements, software manuals, website content, calendars, industrial fabric patterns  and other materials for clients throughout the Mobile and Pensacola Gulf Coast region... until I met a girl from South Carolina.

Early Projects

Interstate-73 Environmental Impact Study And Control Survey

A 40 mile alignment extending from SC-22 west of Myrtle Beach, SC to Rockingham, NC. Ariel flight control panels. Executed staked center-line location at 100' stations, PC, and PT to be followed by geo-tech. Creek crossing .outfall topography. Construction and property Level 1 SCDOT Control Monumentation. Right of way topography and property locations. and road locations at proposed access roads.

Charleston CPW Water Resource Inventory

Client needed to fill gaps in its current valve inventory database to sub-meter accuracy with pipe connectivity by geo-referencing original plans and document-linking its current water valve card records within a modern GIS environment. 

My role as Crew Coordinator on this project was to develop the database for attribution in the field. Qualities test the system. Assemble all equipment needed by field technicians and recommend needed purchases. Provide and properly reference all necessary base-mapping files. Train field crew and party chiefs on all field procedures and equipment. And finally to QAQC all collected data from the field and package it into a deliverable for the client.

DoD RPI Real Property Inventory

Client required its real property inventory and mapping system modernized to a SDFIE compliant GIS application. Our task is to gather research at the installation level and convert this data using COGO then digitization tools within ESRI GIS desktop linking each individual parcel to its source document. Attributing each parcel from data interpreted from deed identifying any issues which arise during the compilation effort in a formatted report. 

Due to my prior demonstrated ability for this client I was entrusted with the pilot and methodology for the compilation process on this project. I was responsible for developing procedures and methodology for production of deliverable. Also instructed to serve as the bridge between the Survey and GIS departments I applied my survey specific experience by interpreting deeds and jurisdiction while training survey professionals and technicians how to use the required tools so that we can get the job done together as a unified team.  During this project I also created a 50 page illustrated technical procedure manual.