Surveyor Spotlight
The Board of Licensure would like to shine a spotlight on some of the talented surveyors licensed to practice in the State of Mississippi.
Licensees featured on this page are selected randomly.
April 2024 Surveyor Spotlight: Kimble Duane Slaton, P.S.
The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors would like to shine a spotlight on Professional Surveyor Kimble Duane Slaton, P.S.. Can we just say how much it delights us to read the responses of those who love what they do as #Engineers or in the case of Kimble, what he does as a #Surveyor!
He had us at "hydrographic mapping on the Mississippi".
It was fantastic to see someone who very much appreciates the old way of surveying (chain and compass method) and in experiencing this in the field by retracing the steps of those who came before him. A respect for the history of surveying is a beautiful thing!
We can also appreciate that his path to licensure was the experience route, proving as the old adage goes, "there's more than one way to skin a cat" or here in "The Sip" more than one route (i.e., education or experience) to licensure as a professional surveyor.
Learn more about Kimble and why professional licensure is important to him in the responses below:
Q1. Where did you attend college and what degree did you receive?
"I am a non-degreed PS. I attended Mississippi State briefly but received no degree.."
Q2. Why did you choose surveying or who inspired you to pursue a career in surveying?
"I was asked to apply for a position as a rodman for a surveying/engineering company in 1984. I fell completely in love with all aspects of the surveying profession. While starting on a survey boat doing hydrographic mapping on the Mississippi, I learned the elementary parts of traverse, leveling, etc. (on conventional equipment). Seeing math and trig actually work intrigued me. Drawing the maps and plats on a drafting table with a pencil was always my favorite thing. The history of parcel boundaries, GLO surveys, etc. still to this day excite me."
Q3. What state(s) are you licensed in, what other certifications do you have, and do you hold licenses in other states?
"I passed the FS in Oct 1994 and the PS/Mississippi Section in April, 1996. I hold licensure in New Mexico, Texas, Alabama and Kentucky"
Q4. What advice would you give to your younger self (HS grad, college grad, etc.)?
"Learn the business aspect of this profession early. We, as survey company owners, are thrown into business and forced to learn accounting, marketing, human resources, etc. as part of the everyday tasks. I would also have loved someone to force me to embrace technology."
Q5. What would you say to young people, who might be interested in STEM careers such as engineering or surveying?
"The profession of surveying has a tainted reputation as “a couple of guys in the woods with a camera and a stick”. We need to flood the education system with information related to the “why” of surveying. As a retired school board president and member, I pushed the STEM programs to include geospatial training. I think we need to let the younger students know that surveying is a necessity to everyday life and that fewer folks are getting licensed to offer professional surveying. With a lot of us older guys reaching retirement age, a young, motivated surveyor would have a captive client base."
Q6. Tell us about a recent project you worked on that exemplifies why you love being an engineer and / or surveyor.
1. "I have been blessed to have clients involved with the sale and purchase of several thousand acres of timber lands in West Central Mississippi. Following the footsteps of older surveyors around these parcels has been a blessing. Understanding the chain and compass method and applying today’s technology to achieve the same property lines is awesome."
2. "Under Contract with USACE and the USAF, we were charged with developing a plat and boundary description of Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The base was established in the 1943 and no survey was performed on the base until the 1980’s. The base consists of the 4800 acres under fence at Andrews Air Force Base and two remote antenna farms located miles north of and south of the base itself. The Davidsonville Annex is 1300 +/- acres and the Brandywine annex is 1800 +/- acres. The base itself had no record of any boundary surveys. We were blessed to locate previous surveys on Davidsonville and Brandywine but nothing on the main base. Initial surveys exposed amazing monumentation on the two annex sites. After completion of the two annex sites, all our focus was on the main base. The original descriptions were some 380 individual deeds acquired during the original taking in the 1940’s. Most of the exterior parcels have since been consumed into adjoining state and local roads systems so honoring the rights-of-way of these streets and highway helped to develop the “New” property lines. Once the plat was created, there were several boundary/property conflicts that resulted in conveyances between the adjoining roads systems authorities and the Air Force. Again, the history of the development of this base and its two annexes was extremely interesting. I was blessed to work alongside a Maryland PLS in the development of all plats and legal descriptions. One of our current Mississippi LSIT’s was heavily involved in boundary determination, research, and platting. That was a great experience for that young surveyor and me."
Q7. Why is professional licensure important to you?
"I believe our profession is at risk due to the falloff in registration. While I am an advocate of professional training, it would be hypocritical to jump fully on the education requirement train, as a non-degreed professional myself. I have personally proven that field training by a competent professional, passing the required exams, maintaining professional training and consistent monitoring of the practice of surveying can lead to a successful career.
In more ways than one, my path to my PLS was more stringent than any college course(s). I do believe that licensure is and always should be a requirement to practice as knowledge and practical training would never be achieved or maintained if we didn’t have the licensure requirement."
March 2023 Surveyor Spotlight: Thomas "Tommy" Alan Young, P.S.
The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors would like to shine a spotlight on licensed Professional Surveyor Thomas "Tommy" Alan Young. Tommy, as he prefers to be called, is currently licensed in 10 states spanning a good segment of the country from north to south. In reading his responses we believe that you will see as we did a genuine love for the surveying profession and a commitment to helping others find their way in it. We also admire and can appreciate someone who recognizes and respects the importance of history when it comes to well and long established professions such as surveying.
Lastly, it was a #PEPTalk that like many we speak to, that helped him realize that the surveying life was for him. Instructors, mentors, friends, etc. you are important in the life of a young person. Please don' underestimate how a sincere and frank conversation can help others find their chosen career path.
Learn more about Tommy and why professional licensure is important to him in the responses below:
Q1. Where did you attend college and what degree did you receive?
"I have a BS degree in Agriculture from Tennessee Technological University (TTU) and a BS degree in Surveying and Mapping from East Tennessee State University (ETSU)."
Q2. Why did you choose surveying or who inspired you to pursue a career in surveying?
"I originally set out to be a civil engineer and enrolled in the engineering program at TTU. During the summers I started working on a survey crew at a small surveying and engineering firm owned by the father of my best friend. After surveying for a few summers and coming to the realization that I couldn’t handle the academic load of an engineer, I decided to pursue surveying as a career. My mentor at TTU encouraged me to enroll in the surveying program at ETSU."
Q3. What would you say to young people, who might be interested in STEM careers such as engineering or surveying?
"Surveying is a field with many different career options. If you’re someone that wants to be left alone in the woods all day, there is a career path for you. If you’re someone that enjoys being immersed in the latest technology involving drones and LiDAR, there’s a career path for you. Surveying as a career has a bright future."
Q4. What state(s) are you licensed in, what other certifications do you have, and do you hold licenses in other states?
"I am a licensed surveyor in 10 states, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, Indiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Arkansas."
Q5. What is your favorite quote?
“Be sure you’re right – then go ahead.” David Crockett
Q6. Tell us about a recent project you worked on that exemplifies why you love being an engineer and / or surveyor.
"I’m an enormous history buff. One of the reasons I’m licensed in so many different states is I love reading about the surveying history of that state. A few years ago, I was working on a project for the State of Tennessee that was located on the Chickasaw Meridian. This meridian was established in 1833 and all the original surveys in north Mississippi were based on it. We were trying to find lines that had been laid out 180 years earlier. One day I would like to go back and re-establish the initial point of the meridian. I love following the path of those that were there centuries before."
Q7. Why is professional licensure important to you?
"As surveyors, we’re not just working for the client, even though they’re the ones that write the checks. We’re working for the general public, because every property line of our client joins the lands of another party, and that party has rights that are to be protected. The licensure process helps ensure that we understand this."
August 2022 Surveyor Spotlight: Clint Tidwell, P.S.
The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors would like to shine a light on it's newest Board Member, Registered Forester, and Professional Land Surveyor Clint Tidwell. Mr. Tidwell is the President of Professional Land Services, Inc in Ripley, Mississippi; where he started out as a forester before becoming a Surveyor. He is a graduate of both Northeast Junior College and Mississippi State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry. If his name sounds familiar it's because he is the son of a former board member.
Learn more about Clint and why professional licensure is important to him in the responses below:
Q1. Why did you choose surveying or who inspired you to pursue a career in surveying?
I am a second generation land surveyor, so I’ve been involved in land surveying from very early age, I was on a survey crew at 13 years old with my dad. I was just simply born a surveyor, that is who I am.
Q2. What would you say to young people, who might be interested in STEM careers such as engineering or surveying?
It takes a lot of experience to make a good surveyor, you need a great mentor to learn from, you need education to make yourself ready to become a Professional and always hold yourself to a higher standard than is expected, never take that short cut. Having a good name, good reputation, and a good work ethic is the most important aspect of your career.
Q3. What state(s) are you licensed in, what other certifications do you have, and do you hold licenses in other states?
I am a licensed professional land surveyor in both the State of Mississippi and Tennessee. I also am a Registered Forester in the State of Mississippi.
Q4. What is your favorite quote?
“If you’re going to be dumb, you better be tough”
Q5. Tell us about a recent project you worked on that exemplifies why you love being a surveyor.
The truth is all jobs, whether big or small are very important to someone, I like to think I am helping solve a problem or providing a professional service every day to every client. I work almost exclusively in boundary surveys of all sizes, from an ¼ acre to thousands of acre tracts.
Q6. Why is professional licensure important to you?
The purpose for a professional license is solely to protect the public from fraud and to standardize the quality of work and interaction with the public. It establishes a “standard of care” and consistency in the work for the survey profession.
May 2022 Surveyor Spotlight: Lucas G. Davis RPLS (TX), PLS (KY), PS (MS)
The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors would like to shine a light on Professional Surveyor Lucas G. Davis. Mr. Davis is the Survey Manager at Windrose Land Surveying and Platting. He is a graduate of Houston Baptist University and Lone Star College where he took the Fundamentals of Surveying Exam. In addition to being a licensed surveyor he holds degrees in both Business Administration and Management. Learn more about Lucas, his path to surveying and some pretty interesting quote choices in the responses below:
Q1. Why did you choose surveying or who inspired you to pursue a career in surveying?
Originally it wasn’t a conscience choice… I fell into it. My dad was an instrument man with the local county surveying department, so I was, at best, vaguely familiar with surveying. I graduated college when Enron was in full collapse and the job scene in Houston for Business majors was pretty scary, but I knew an Operations Manager (to whom I’m forever grateful) at a survey company who said he could get me on in the field until I found something else…. and that has now been 21 years. In that time, it’s been an adventure, from bears walking up to me in the field, to seeing parts of multiple states that a lot of people don’t get to see, to working on high profile stadiums and developments.
Q2. What would you say to young people, who might be interested in STEM careers such as engineering or surveying?
I never would have thought it at the time, but I’m still (Facebook) friends with my High School geometry teacher 26 years after graduating HS – sitting in HS geometry and thinking, “when am I ever going to use this?” my adult self would look back and tell that HS kid… “every day!” Surveying is a magical blend of geometry, law, history, earth sciences, geography, and is one of the great professions that goes back thousands of years and is still evolving and is literally a “chose your own adventure” type of job. Paraphrasing one of my college professors “it’s science for non-science majors.”
Q3. What state(s) are you licensed in, what other certifications do you have, and do you hold licenses in other states?
I’m currently licensed in Mississippi, Texas, and Kentucky and have a goal of two additional state licensures for 2022.
Q4. What is your favorite quote?
Currently – “that dog don’t hunt” or “I smell what you’re stepping in”
Q5. Tell us about a recent project you worked on that exemplifies why you love being a surveyor.
For me, it’s more of a collection of projects… to my wife’s annoyance that we can’t go anywhere without passing a project that I either surveyed while in the field, in the office, or now signed as a professional.
Q6. Why is professional licensure important to you?
Professional licensure is critical for so many reasons. Most importantly, it provides a level of trust and credibility to the public that the services provided are being certified by someone that has the proper education, experience, and knowledge to protect – in the case of surveying – their property, property rights, and preserve the records of the land.
July 2021 Surveyor Spotlight: Michael Blake Collins, P.S.
The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors would like to shine a light on our newest Board Member and Professional Surveyor Michael Blake Collins. Mr. Collins is a Principal Owner and Surveying Manager with the Pickering Firm located in Flowood, Mississippi and is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a minor in Land Surveying. He was appointed to the licensure board by Governor Tate Reeves on June 8, 2021.
When asked why Board service was important to him, Mr. Collins indicated that "Board service is an opportunity for me to give back to the surveying community that has given me my livelihood for the last 20+ years. It gives me the chance to continue the work of those who have come before me as well as progressing it for the benefit of those who will come after me."
Wow.......very well said Mr. Collins! We very much appreciate his enthusiasm, love and respect for the field of surveying and for the surveyors who came before him and his desire to make it better for surveyors to come. We are looking forward to his service on the Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors.
Learn more about Mr. Collins below:
Q1. Why did you choose engineering or surveying?
"I took my first surveying class my freshman year at MSU and really enjoyed it. I was fortunate enough to get real world experience with a summer internship with Matt Rankin shortly thereafter and got really excited about the work. I have always enjoyed researching through the history of a parcel of land and making the connections between the monuments I find on the ground to the surveyors who have come before me and whose work is memorialized in the records I research."
Q2. How long have you been licensed in the State of Mississippi and do you also hold other state licenses?
"I was licensed in Mississippi in 2004 and have since been licensed in Louisiana and Arkansas as well."
Q3. What advice would you give to your younger self (HS grad, college grad, etc)?
"Learn as much as you can and don't stop learning. Your education in surveying doesn't end when you graduate. In many aspects, it is just beginning. Continue both formal education and mentorship. Each offers valuable lessons that you will not learn from the other. There is always more to learn. So never stop reading and never stop learning from the people around you."
Q4. What would you say to young people, who might be interested in STEM careers such as engineering or surveying?
"Immerse yourself in as much technology as you can. GPS, drones, photogrammetry, and lidar are the way of the future in surveying. Those products are becoming more and more mainstream every day, and the progress will only pick up steam. So embrace them and learn as much about them as you can. But be sure to understand the science and math that are behind them. Improper application of technology can be just as bad as ignoring it."
Q5. Tell us about a recent project you worked on that exemplifies why you love being an engineer and / surveyor?
"A favorite project was a survey for an electrical transmission line that ran between Vicksburg and Natchez. It was a prime example of the history that drew me into surveying. Many of the records dated back to the 1830s. Some of the parcels we surveyed even predated Mississippi's statehood, and we found old monuments that were called for in the records from that long ago. One particular area was a subdivision dating back to 1838. At that time, it bordered on the Mississippi River. Almost two centuries of flooding has now covered the area with sediment and moved the river over a mile to the west. But as part of the project, old brick sidewalks from that subdivision were unearthed for the first time in years. It was such a tangible tie to the past to see those bricks and think about the people who had walked on them before the floods and eventual overgrowth."
Q6. Why is professional licensure important to you?
"Surveying is so much more than simply measuring. There is application of geometry, records research through courthouse records, case law, highway departments, and the General Land Office records, as well as proper application of law to ensure that the boundaries we retrace or lay out are accurate – not only in their mathematical closure but in their location on the ground as well. Licensure ensures that individuals who practice surveying have the knowledge and skill to practice each of these facets (and more) to safeguard the property rights of the general public."
December 2020 Surveyor Spotlight: Mike Thornton, P.S.
The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors would like to shine a light on Board Member and Professional Surveyor Michael "Mike" Thornton. Mr. Thornton has had his own surveying business since 1989. He loves his family, grandkids and gardening and you can tell from photos that he has shared with us that he loves surveying. He has served on the Licensure Board since 2019.
Check out our conversation with Mr. Thornton below:
Q1. Where did you attend college or university and what was your major?
"I graduated from Northwest Junior college with a Associate degree in survey related subjects."
Q2. How long have you been practicing surveying and when were you first licensed?
"I worked with the Mississippi Department of Transportation surveying in the summer between high school and college and became interested in surveying."
Q3. How long have you been licensed in the State of Mississippi and do you also hold other state licenses?
"I became licensed in Mississippi in 1989 and the states of Arkansas and Louisiana shortly afterwards."
Q4. What would you say to young people, who might be interested in STEM careers such as engineering or surveying?
"Acquire all of the education needed to exceed your goals. Begin your career with a lot of hands on experience with a good mentor."
Q5. Why is professional licensure important and what advice would you give your younger self?
"Professional Licensure is important to ensure adequate training and knowledge as a public servant."
August 2020 Surveyor Spotlight: Patrick M. Martino, P.L.S.
The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors would like to shine a light on Board Member and Professional Land Surveyor Patrick Martino. Patrick has been licensed in the state of Mississippi since 1997 and is the proud owner of Patrick M. Martino Professional Land Surveying which he started in 2003.
Check out some of our conversation with Patrick below:
Q1. Where did you attend college or university and what was your major?
"I obtained my license by on the job training and through mentoring with Mr. Gene Stenum, PLS."
Q2. How long have you been practicing engineering and / or surveying and when were you first licensed?
"I have been practicing Land Surveying since 1992. I received my PLS license in 2001 and started Patrick Martino, PLS Inc in 2003 and have practiced surveying since 1992."
Q3. How long have you served on the licensure board?
"The first board meeting I attended was on August 7th, 2019. "
Q4. Why is professional licensure important and what advice would you give your younger self?
"Professional License is important to ensure order in the physical world and land development in our communities from the planning and design of developments and subdivisions, roadways, as well as, individual parcels of land, which assist in ensuring the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the public. I was very fortunate to have Mr. Stenum teach me vital aspects of surveying. If I had to start the profession of land surveying all over again, I would chose to learn to better communicate and interact with the individual land owners, and adjoining land owners, in a more effective manor to help prevent and resolve minor problems before they escalated into hard feelings between neighbors."