Show Notes
In this episode of The Geoholics, we go full geospatial nerd mode with several leaders from the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) — a professional organization that’s been shaping the mapping and imaging sciences since 1934. That’s right… these folks were advancing mapping science before lidar was cool and long before anyone thought strapping cameras to drones was a good idea. Joining the show are Dr. Balaji Ramachandran, Dr. Unal Okyay, Bill Swope, and Scott Dunham, representing the ASPRS Gulf South Region, where they’re working to grow a tight-knit geospatial community across Texas and Louisiana. From certifications to conferences to career-changing connections, this episode dives into why professional organizations still matter in an industry evolving at warp speed. We kick things off at 30,000 feet discussing what ASPRS actually does and why surveyors, drone pilots, photogrammetrists, lidar specialists, and GIS pros should care. With nearly a century of history behind it, ASPRS has helped establish standards, promote education, and advance technologies that form the backbone of modern geospatial workflows. The conversation also digs into ASPRS certifications — including Certified Photogrammetrist (CP) and Certified Mapping Scientist (CMS) — and how these credentials can elevate careers, validate expertise, and help professionals stand out in a rapidly growing field. We also preview the ASPRS Gulf South Geospatial Conference, happening at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where attendees can expect technical sessions on topics like mobile lidar for railroads, geospatial accuracy standards, photorealistic 3D visualization, and lidar data assessment — plus a panel discussion moderated by your very own Geoholics host....Mr. Kent Groh! Beyond the tech talk, the episode highlights initiatives like the Jim Gillis Memorial Education Fund, which helps remove financial barriers for students and young professionals pursuing careers in mapping sciences — proving that investing in the next generation is just as important as pushing the technology forward. Organizations like ASPRS play a critical role in maintaining standards, professional credibility, and ethical practice as geospatial technology becomes more accessible to everyone. If you care about the future of geospatial technology, professional credibility, and building a stronger community in the mapping sciences, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Music by Pink Floyd!
More from The Geoholics
What happens when professional surveying, military leadership and workforce development collide? You get one hell of a conversation with Keegan Lumley, PLS—Project Manager with Colliers Engineering & Design and Master Sergeant in the North Carolina Air National Guard. Keegan joins us to talk about earning his PLS, leading and training Airmen, balancing advanced technology with solid surveying fundamentals, and what civilian firms can learn from the military’s hands-on approach to developing people. We also dig into the future of the profession, including the North Carolina Young Surveyors Network, Cape Fear Community College’s new Geomatics program and the apprenticeship initiative designed to create stronger pathways into surveying. Of course, we put Keegan through Bullshit, Breakthrough or Too Soon to Tell, drop a Leica Geosystems Pro Tip and crank up “Don’t Wanna Know” by The Red Clay Strays! This episode is about leadership, mentorship and what it truly means to develop the people and build something that lasts. Get involved. Master the craft. Take care of your people. #TheGeoholics #LandSurveying #Geomatics #Surveyors #WorkforceDevelopment #Leadership #Mentorship #YoungSurveyorsNetwork #MilitaryLeadership #AirNationalGuard #CapeFearCommunityCollege #SurveyingTechnology #PLS #Geospatial #Podcast
This week, we sit down with Rob Dannenberg, President of Phoenix LiDAR Systems and an early adopter who helped push UAS and LiDAR from experimental technology into powerful, real-world mapping solutions. We dig into what “survey-grade LiDAR” really means, where acquisition and processing workflows most often break down, and why successful results depend on far more than sensor specifications. Rob also shares his perspective on custom LiDAR integration, flexible multi-platform systems, NDAA compliance, dependable customer support, and the opportunities created by Phoenix LiDAR Systems joining Revolution Geosystems. Then we put autonomous missions, AI-powered point-cloud classification, real-time onboard processing, next-generation positioning and the commoditization of LiDAR sensors to the ultimate test: Bullsh*t, Breakthrough or Too Soon to Tell? Add a Leica Geosystems Pro Tip, “I Need to Know” by Arizona rockers The Black Moods and plenty of Geoholics-style conversation—and you’ve got an episode you won’t want to miss! Tune in, buckle up and join the conversation! #TheGeoholics #Podcast #Episode290 #PhoenixLiDARSystems #RevolutionGeosystems #LiDAR #UAS #Drones #Surveying #LandSurveying #Geomatics #Geospatial #RemoteSensing #PointCloud #NDAA #Innovation #Technology #Surveyors #LeicaGeosystems #TheBlackMoods #AddingValueAndMakingFriends
What happens when a “crazy idea” becomes the tool that changes how an entire industry works? Buckle up—we’re talking reality capture with Juergen Mayer, Head of Reality Capture Portfolio at Leica Geosystems! From his roots in rural Austria to helping bring the BLK360, BLK2GO, RTC360, and new RTC series to market, Juergen brings a perspective shaped by surveying, business, and a passion for building things that solve real problems. We explore connected field-to-office workflows, LiveLink, catching coverage gaps before crews leave the site, and what firms should measure to see whether their technology investment is actually paying off. And because this is The Geoholics, we ask the tough questions: Does easier scanning mean better data? Where does professional judgment fit as AI and automation advance? And can real-time visibility improve collaboration without turning into micromanagement? We close with Bullsh*t, Breakthrough, or Too Soon to Tell?—putting AI-driven field checks, the future of terrestrial scanners, and the risks of impressive-looking point clouds in the hot seat. Billy Joel’s “You May Be Right” sets the tone, and our Leica Weekly Pro Tip delivers a reminder every crew can use: Capture once. Verify early. Keep the project moving. Big thanks to EMLID, TopoDOT, AllTerra Central, Leica Geosystems, David Evans and Associates, and Diamondback Land Surveying for keeping the conversations rolling! Tune in wherever you get your podcasts! #TheGeoholics #Geoholics #LeicaGeosystems #RealityCapture #LaserScanning #LandSurveying #Geomatics #Geospatial #PointClouds #SurveyTechnology #ConnectedWorkflows #Innovation
What can a satellite see that the rest of us can’t? On Episode 288 of The Geoholics, we’re joined by Sean Donegan, President and CEO of Satelytics, to explore how AI and satellite imagery can help identify methane leaks, vegetation changes, land movement, encroachments and other risks across vast infrastructure networks. We get into what’s hiding inside those pixels, how an alert becomes a decision, and the question every surveyor should ask: How do we verify what the technology says it found? Plus, Sean takes on Bullshit, Breakthrough, or Too Soon to Tell? Can AI spot problems before operators know what to look for? Could satellite monitoring change the future of field inspections? Tune in for a conversation about intelligence from space, confidence on the ground, and what it all means for the people managing our physical world. Adding value and making friends! #TheGeoholics #GeoholicsPodcast #SeanDonegan #Satelytics #Geospatial #LandSurveying #RemoteSensing #SatelliteImagery #ArtificialIntelligence #Infrastructure #MethaneDetection #RealityCapture
Day 3 of the 2026 12d Tech Forum delivered an incredible mix of conversations with Michelle Blicavs, Brad Cox, Luke Studdert, Joel Gregory, Mitch McPherson, Keeton Williamson-Smith and Bridget VV. We dive into advocacy for the surveying profession, accessible GNSS technology, machine control, better 3D data workflows, the story and global growth of 12d—and the life-changing impact of creating meaningful geospatial careers for neurodivergent talent. 00:01:35 Michelle Blicavs, CEO, Surveyors Australia and ITA 00:21:08 Brad Cox, Survey hardware GIS Specialist at Mangoesmapping 00:39:32 Luke Studdert, Senior Surveyor & Chief Remote Pilot at Sunrise Surveying 00:56:21 Joel Gregory, CEO and Mitch McPherson, VP at 12d Synergy 01:24:59 Keeton Williamson Smith, Lead Data Analyst and Bridget VV from Australian Spatial Analytics Big technology, honest perspectives and one seriously inspiring finish to an unforgettable three days in Brisbane. Grab a drink, hit play and join us for the final chapter of The GEOHOLICS Down Under! #TheGEOHOLICS #12dTechForum2026 #Geospatial #LandSurveying #Surveying #DigitalEngineering #GNSS #MachineControl #ConstructionTechnology #Neurodiversity #InclusiveEmployment #Innovation #Brisbane #Australia #AddValue #MakeFriends