The Geoholics

Episode 279 of The Geoholics is a straight-up masterclass in reality capture, Scan to BIM, digital twins, and the future of the built world. Kent and the crew sit down with industry heavy hitters John Russo and Joseph Romano to unpack how Scan to BIM evolved from a niche service into a game-changing force across the AEC industry. From LOA standards and digital twin ecosystems to AI automation and the risks of “push-button” technology, this episode dives deep into the balance between innovation and professional expertise. The conversation also highlights the critical role of organizations like U.S. Institute of Building Documentation in driving standards, education, and credibility throughout the reality capture community. Toss in some classic Geoholics energy, a little John Mellencamp, industry pro tips, and plenty of future-focused insight—and you’ve got an episode built for anyone serious about where geospatial technology is headed next.

This week, we sit down with Shelby Sharpe, an instructional designer and PhD candidate who’s right in the middle of where education meets the real-world geospatial workforce. And let’s just say…she brings some perspective. We dig into the so-called “workforce shortage” and flip the script...it’s not just about talent, it’s about accessibility, awareness, and how we’re actually training people. Schools are teaching tools…industry needs problem-solvers. Big difference. Shelby also drops some serious insight on how adults really learn...especially busy professionals, field crews, and PMs. Hint: it’s not sitting through long trainings. It’s solving real problems, in real time, with context that actually matters. We also get into her journey from practicing geospatial to teaching it, what makes a great technical expert to collaborate with, and how we can better connect education and industry moving forward. If you care about the future of surveying, geospatial, and the next generation coming into it…this one’s worth your time. Music by Tom Petty!

In this episode of The Geoholics Podcast, the crew dives deep—both literally and figuratively—into the world of archaeology, GIS, and cultural resource management with special guest Jenna Kent, Archaeologist at Jacobs Engineering Group. From growing up across Texas, Mississippi, Utah, and Hawaii as part of a military family, to excavating 7th-century monasteries and 12th-century abbeys in Ireland, Jenna’s journey has been anything but ordinary. That geographic diversity helped shape her appreciation for landscapes, cultures, and the human stories hidden beneath them. The conversation explores what archaeology really looks like beyond the movies—balancing rugged fieldwork with complex office analysis—and why cultural resource compliance is far more technical, analytical, and geospatially driven than most people realize. Listeners get an inside look at: >Prehistoric ceramic replication and how recreating ancient pottery reveals insights no textbook ever could >Surveying 15 miles of wilderness at Bandelier National Monument, one of Jenna’s career-defining projects >How archaeologists decode fragmented evidence like a massive puzzle with missing pieces >The growing role of GIS in archaeology, including site density modeling, probability mapping, and interactive story maps >Where surveyors, mappers, LiDAR professionals, and archaeologists can collaborate more effectively >The powerful human moments that remind us archaeology is ultimately about people—not artifacts Jenna closes the episode with thoughtful advice for young professionals looking to enter archaeology, cultural resources, or GIS—encouraging curiosity, patience, and a willingness to embrace both science and storytelling. This episode is a reminder that whether you’re mapping terrain, scanning infrastructure, or excavating history—context matters, layers matter, and collaboration across disciplines makes us all better. Song of the Week: “New Orleans Is Sinking” by The Tragically Hip

Episode 267 is a masterclass in discipline, faith, leadership, and next-level surveying as the Geoholics crew sits down with Dillon Harp—a surveyor whose journey started at just 16 years old and has led him to become a nationally respected leader in the profession. Born on Carswell Air Force Base and raised with a strong sense of structure and service, Dillon shares how early exposure to hard work, responsibility, and mentorship shaped his approach to both surveying and leadership. From cutting his teeth in his dad’s survey company to earning his RPLS at the age of 23, Dillon’s story is one of focus, humility, and relentless growth. The conversation dives deep into his dual academic and hands-on education, the value of learning the profession from the ground up, and how those early field lessons still guide how he leads teams today as Director of Survey Operations for Energy & Power. Dillon also breaks down advanced topics like gradient boundary surveys, LSLS projects, and CFedS certification, offering real-world advice for young surveyors who want to push beyond the basics and specialize. Beyond the technical side, this episode hits hard on purpose and service. Dillon opens up about his faith, his commitment to being a servant leader, and his passion for giving back through TSPS involvement and student outreach. Recognition like being named TSPS Young Surveyor of the Year is discussed not as an endpoint—but as a responsibility to lift others up and leave the profession better than he found it. Dillon caps it all off by sharing the one piece of advice he’d give his 16-year-old self standing on that first survey crew—wisdom earned through years of experience, mistakes, and growth. Another episode that reminds us surveying isn’t just a job—it’s a calling, a craft, and a community. Music by Alan Jackson!!

Check out these highlights from Day 2 of this year's awesome event!!! 01:10 - Will Wing PLS, Owner Operator\CEO @ Infinity Land Surveying, LLC & Dustin Gardner PLS, Land Surveyor @ Diamondback Land Surveying. 18:05 - Klaus Thymann, Explorer, Scientist, Creator - Fellow @ The Explorers Club & The Royal Geographical Society - Expert Roster @ UNESCO UN - Founder Project Pressure 37:40 - Dr. Scott Peterson, Associate Professor, Geomatics Engineering at Fresno State University & Tom Cardenas, Senior Vice President at CSDS, Inc. 01:01:25 - Brian Manning, CEO/Founder of Xona Space Systems & Olivier Casabianca, Vice President, Advanced Positioning Sector @ Trimble, Inc.

Check out these highlights from Day 2 of this year's awesome event!!! 00:10 - Kristie Achee, Sr. Project Manager @ QK & Kathy Nitayangkul, Land Surveyor and Partner @ Polaris Land Surveying 14:00 - Carol Morman, Owner @ CLM Surveying & Engineering and Program Chair, Professor Land Surveying @ Cincinnati State Technical and Community College & Cara Tryling, Professional Land Surveyor @ Brandstetter Carroll Inc. 28:45 - Isabella Totra, Student @ Saint Louis University & Iris Saldana-Zapata, Senior CAD Technician@ Sabak, Wilson & Lingo, Inc and Student @ Vincennes University AND 2026 Geoholics WSS Scholarship WINNERS!! 45:10 - Kaitlin Constantine, Professional Land Surveyor @ DOWL and YOUNGEST female licensed land surveyor in NV & Rita Lumos quite possibly the OLDEST female licensed land surveyor in NV!!! 1:01:20 - Evi De La Rosa Ricciardi, Professor Land Surveying Engineering @ University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez & Genesis Feliciano, Student @ University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez & Yanielyz Paola, Student @ University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

Check out these highlights from Day 3 of this year's awesome event!!! 00:40 - Mat Kellett, Regional Senior Manager - Northern Europe @ Topcon Positioning Systems 12:40 - András Zlinszky, Community Evangelist @ Sinergise 27:40 - Steven Woolven, President @ Trimble Applanix 38:05 - Raymond Woering, CEO and Commercial Director & Hanno Kant, Does Everything Ray Doesn't Do Which Is A Lot @ APGLOS 54:00 - Henry Genefaas, Technical Specialist @ Emesent 1:06:55 - Reinis Tocelovskis, Founder & CEO @ 3D Engineering and Co-Founder & CEO @ My3D.Cloud

Episode 265 brings together two AllTerra Central leaders — Scott Spears and Chris Mauldin — for a fast-moving conversation on UAVs, SLAM, reality capture, and the human side of geospatial technology. After the usual Geoholics banter and updates ,we dive straight into what surveyors are getting wrong (and right) about drone adoption. Scott and Chris tackle the biggest misconceptions around UAVs, break down the differences between American and Chinese platforms, and explain how handheld scanners and SLAM systems are resetting expectations for accuracy and deliverables. They also explore how AI is accelerating faster than hardware — and why keeping people, ethics, and trust at the center of tech adoption matters more than ever. Chris brings heart and honesty with insights on faith, family, and teamwork, while both guests highlight why surveyors are more essential than ever in a “shrinking world.” The episode closes with a look at what makes AllTerra Central unique and where they see UAVs and reality capture heading over the next five years. Music by the Eagles!!