Nathan Grasfeder Earns Professional Engineer (PE) Licensure   

Nathan Grasfeder Earns Professional Engineer (PE) Licensure

Nathan Grasfeder has officially earned his Professional Engineering License (PE), making him the third professional engineer on the L.I. Smith & Associates (LIS) staff. Grasfeder is a civil engineer, specializing in Site Development.  

LIS President Patrick Smith remarked, “The only thing that exceeds the happiness I have for Nathan as he passes this milestone in his career is the confidence I have that we will contribute to this profession for decades to come.” 

Grasfeder holds 10 years of experience within the Construction industry. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM) in 2013. He began his career shortly thereafter, when he went to work for Harold Coffey Construction doing large scale sitework.  

For the next four years, he gained hands-on experience in commercial and industrial construction, including how to run survey equipment and an array of construction equipment. In addition, he obtained valuable experience in estimating time and materials for multi-million dollar projects. Once he established a strong foundation in construction, he was hired into LIS as an EIT in 2017. 

“Becoming a Professional Civil Engineer has been a lifelong goal. I knew from the first time I dumped out a load from a TONKA truck that this was the industry for me,” stated Grasfeder. “I was set on going to school for engineering all the way back in middle school, maybe even before then.” 

Grasfeder began his career with LIS just over five years ago as an Engineer in Training (EIT), which is essentially an apprenticeship prior to becoming a professional. In his new role as a PE, Grasfeder will assume a more prominent leadership position within LIS’ engineering department. He will be responsible for more projects while also managing and mentoring the team of EITS.  

“While at LIS, I have learned more than I could have ever imagined, sometimes the hard way! I hope that the next ten years of my career are even better than my last 10 years, which has been amazing!” 

Grasfeder is already planning for the future. He wants to earn a PE licensure in Kentucky, and maybe another nearby state. Professional development is also important to Grasfeder. He plans to get more involved in professional engineering organizations including the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) and AAEES (American Academy of Environmental Engineers). Participating in organizations such as these provides means for professionals to network and attend activities that promote professional development.  

“Nathan has devoured design concepts while applying his construction knowledge to design some of the most efficient solutions for our clients,” said Smith. “I have noticed that what he does not know, always ends with yet.” 

In order to maintain the professional license, PEs are required to submit 24 Professional Development Hours (PDH) earned through education every two years.  This is to ensure that professionals stay on top of their field and are informed about current rules and regulations.   

 


Civil CAD Drafter

Civil cad DRafter

L. I. Smith & Associates, Inc. (LIS) is a full-service, integrative engineering and surveying company that provides services to the public and private sectors. We are headquartered in Paris, TN, with branches located in Portland and Nashville.

We are currently seeking an entry to mid-level Civil CAD Drafter to join our Paris office. The ideal candidate will have experience in drafting, be detail oriented in their work, and possess good organizational skills.

The Civil CAD Drafter will be responsible for producing quality plans for a variety of land development projects, as well as implementing and managing AutoCAD drafting and plan preparation standards. This individual will work directly with Project Managers and Civil Engineers to ensure timely project completion within allocated budgets.

Compensation:

$15 – $25 per hour

Responsibilities:

  • Computer-aided design and drafting of site layout, drainage, roadway, grading, and utility systems using software programs such as AutoCAD and Civil3D
  • Organize drawings under the supervision of professional engineers
  • Perform routine drawing assignments requiring the application of standard techniques and procedures
  • Work within allocated quality/budget/schedule expectations to complete scope-specific assignments
  • Perform administrative duties associated with project management for civil/site projects
  • Meet project schedule requirements and deadlines

Qualifications:

  • Associate or technical school degree in design or drafting
  • 1+ year(s) of drafting experience
  • Proficient in AutoCAD
  • Proficient Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • The ability to collaborate and be a team player
  • Detail oriented, self-starter
  • Desire to grow professionally

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of relevant experience
  • Experience with land development projects
  • Experience working with state and local agencies
  • Previous internship experience with a related industry is strongly preferred

 

About Us:

L.I. Smith & Associates (LIS) is a full-service, integrative engineering and surveying company that provides services to the public and private sectors. Licensed in 12 states throughout the Central and Southeast regions, LIS has an experienced team that can provide multistate coverage for projects of all sizes in land development, infrastructure design, and surveying services. LIS is headquartered in Paris, Tenn., with branches located in Portland and Nashville.

Please visit lismith.com to find more information about our company and benefits.


Billing Specialist

Billing Specialist

L.I. Smith & Associates (LIS) is seeking a detail-oriented Billing Specialist to join our team. This full-time position is available at our Paris office.

The Billing Specialist position will involve multiple billing related duties, including building and billing invoices, record keeping, and data processing.

This position requires an individual with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. In this role, you will communicate regularly with clients and project managers throughout the duration of each project.

Compensation:

$15-$25

Responsibilities:

  • Build and send invoices
  • Assume the responsibility of receiving and sorting incoming payments
  • Interact with clients and respond to requests concerning invoice billing/payment
  • Manage the status of accounts, balances, and job rates and identify any inconsistencies
  • Update accounts receivable database with new accounts or missed payments
  • Ensure all clients remain informed of their outstanding debts and deadlines
  • Write thorough reports on billing activity with clear and reliable data
  • Ensure all account activity is documented in the appropriate system and shared with project managers
  • Keep updated on all billing requirements and changes
  • Prepare administrative reports as directed. May perform special projects, develop additional materials as assigned, or prepare surveys to go out

Requirements:

  • Associate degree or higher preferred
  • 5+ years of experience in billing/accounting
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
  • Must be able to work independently and in a team setting
  • Willing to learn new billing procedures and adapt to these procedures
  • Excellent Interpersonal skills and time management
  • Strong organizational skills

 

Experience in the engineering/surveying industry preferred but not required.


National Surveyors Week Highlights Workforce Gap 

National Surveyors Week Highlights Workforce Gap

Celebrated annually during the third week of March, National Surveyors Week brings awareness to the surveying profession and recognizes the contributions of land surveyors and the vital services that they provide to the public. The celebration dates back to 1984, when then-President Ronald Reagan proclaimed it as an industry holiday.  

This year, National Surveyors Week will be celebrated on March 19-25, according to the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). NSPS serves as the voice of surveyors throughout the United States and orchestrates the event each March, with each year focusing on a different theme. This year, the theme is communication, as clear, effective communication is essential in educating the public and our youth about the importance of this profession.  

While sometimes overlooked, land surveying, a profession in which data is collected to create maps and a detailed record of land features, is a viable career that is needed in many industries, including the engineering, construction, forensic, environmental, and hydrography fields, among numerous others. With the average age of a licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) in United States at 57, there could soon be a shortage of surveyors as this age group retires, leaving young people with a large gap in the workforce that will need to be filled. 

Vice President Chris Conrad commented, “As surveyors, like me, continue to get older, it is essential that we educate the younger generation about this vast profession.”   

Individuals pursuing a career in surveying have job opportunities at all levels, with positions available outdoors in a field position or in an office setting. For those who enjoy working with their hands or working outside, positions such as a rodman or party chief may be a good fit. These positions generally provide extensive on the job training, and neither of these roles require a college degree. 

Office positions are also available for those choosing not to further their education. Survey technicians work on Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to draft, design, and layout surveys. Technicians provide support to project managers and survey crews and play a key role in projects. While specialized software experience is necessary for these positions, a degree is not required. 

For those seeking a professional path, professional licensure is available. To become a Registered Land Surveyor (RLS), a person should obtain a bachelor’s degree in land surveying or a related field of study. The Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) must be successfully passed at the start of the licensing process. Once requirements are met and the exam is passed, they must submit a Professional Surveyor-In-Training (PLSIT) application to obtain a PLSIT certification. Finally, after completing the minimum number of mentorship hours and any other requirements, the individual will be eligible to sit for the state specific exam and, if successful, can upgrade to full licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor. 

“Professional surveyors are problem solvers, historians, and sometimes mediators. The greatest thing about surveying is there is no boredom, as no two days are ever the same,” remarked Conrad.  

L.I. Smith & Associates (LIS) employs a vast surveying staff that includes both field and office personnel. More than 10 field crews, each comprised of a party chief and one or more rodmen, travel throughout 11 states to complete field work. In the office, six licensed surveyors, Patrick Smith, Larry Smith, Chris Conrad, Tommy Young, Mason Peale, and Trevor Teague, work with survey technicians to complete boundary and topographical surveys, route surveys, land title surveys, utility surveys, and constructional layout for public and private entities.  

Summer internships are available at LIS at the collegiate and high school levels. Survey Interns work directly under the mentorship of the party chiefs in the field, allowing students to grow their talents in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Job shadowing is also available for those interested in surveying but aren’t ready to complete an internship.  

Conrad stated, “Using the knowledge obtained through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs, young people already possess the foundation to pursue a career in surveying.” 

For more information about career or internship opportunities at LIS, contact Ashley Horn at careers@lismith.com. 


Paris Hampton Inn Development Provides Additional Lodging for Visitors 

Paris Hampton Inn Development Provides Additional Lodging for Visitors

Since opening, the Hampton Inn, located at 1540 Mineral Wells Ave. in Paris, has provided an additional location for tourists to stay while visiting Henry County for fishing tournaments and other events. The new hotel opened to the public in the summer of 2022, and L.I. Smith & Associates (LIS) was involved from beginning to end.    

Conveniently located near recreational areas, the Hampton Inn provides a much-needed lodging option for patrons seeking to enjoy the outdoors. With Kentucky Lake only 20 minutes away and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation a short 40 minute drive, the hotel is in a prime location. 

“This hotel was designed with the specific needs of the community in mind. This hotel features oversized boat parking spaces with 110 outlets for charging boat accessories,” stated LIS Engineer and Project Manager, Nathan Grasfeder.  

In the early stages, LIS met with VRL Hotels II, LLC and assisted with the initial site selection based on their needs. After the site was selected, a boundary and topographic survey were produced in order to assist with the design.  

LIS then designed a civil site plan that met the City of Paris’ requirements for items such as parking, access, utilities, and stormwater. In addition, LIS continued its involvement through the completion of the project by performing quality control during the construction of the hotel to ensure the site was built as designed.  

“The construction of this hotel has spurred new interest in commercial developments around this area south of Paris,” Grasfeder commented. 

The hotel is four stories, with 72 rooms, a swimming pool, a business center, and a meeting area. Other nearby attractions include Eiffel Tower Park and the Paris Landing State Park. The Hampton Inn is managed by Gibson Hospitality Management Inc. 


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