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. 

Women’s History Month is celebrated annually in the month of March and highlights the many accomplishments and contributions of trailblazing women throughout history. Women play a crucial role in culture and society, but their contributions are sometimes overlooked. Through the celebration of Women’s History Month, we hope to take inspiration from both those who came before and those working among us today.   

In the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, specifically, women have been underrepresented for decades. Because innovation can only be attained when people of diverse backgrounds and unique prospectives work together, the industry has truly suffered. In order to build a better, more diverse workforce in the future, it is essential that women feel empowered to enter and succeed in this industry.  

Lucile Smith, LIS Co-Founder and former President, is a true trailblazer in the world of STEM and land surveying. She made waves in the industry when she became the first woman in the state of Tennessee to become a licensed surveyor by passing the state-specific examinations. With Smith as its leader, LIS was a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) in the state of Tenn. for nearly 10 years, meaning 51% of the company was owned and controlled by a woman. Through innovative thinking and determination, Smith opened the door for women to enter the surveying industry and earn a professional licensure.  

“Our profession is white, male dominated, and can be tough for women to excel, unless you are Lucile Smith, my mom. Working under a strong woman, like my mom, provided me with the insight to recruit and hire females in STEM and leadership roles throughout my career,” remarked LIS President Patrick Smith.  

LIS is proud to recognize the remarkable women on our team. Each one brings a strong work ethic and unique perspectives to the business, and LIS would not be where it is today without them. Learn more about each staff member below! 

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. 

Frank Burch began his 35th year with L.I. Smith & Associates (LIS) in February of 2023, making him the longest employed staff member outside of the Smith family. Having worked alongside three generations of the Smiths, he has established himself as a well trusted member of the LIS team and is largely relied on by his colleagues. 

Patrick Smith, LIS President, stated, “Frank has been surveying at LIS since I got my driver’s license.  If I have a question about surveying, I ask Frank.”

In 1988, Burch earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Murray State University. While Burch was attending school, Andrew Kelly, one of his professors, referred him to LIS. Kelly had taught numerous LIS staff members throughout the years, including company founder, Larry Smith.

Burch began this career with LIS as a Rodman in 1989. At the time, he was one of only eight staff members. Within one year of employment, he was promoted to Party Chief. At the time, the company focused exclusively on land surveying and had not yet introduced full-service civil engineering work.

Burch said, “I started out doing boundary surveys because that’s primarily all they (LIS) did at the time… I was happy doing what I was doing, so I’ve accumulated a little bit of experience.”

Due to his love for the outdoors, Burch prefers to work in the field instead of the office. He has remained in his role as Party Chief since his promotion in 1990. However, after more than three decades in the industry, his role has shifted to that of a mentor to his team members. 

“It seems like I teach and train new people all the time. I’ve trained a lot of people, some of whom have licenses now. It’s an ongoing process, especially during the summer. There are always new people coming in and I get to teach them. I’m proud of that,” stated Burch.  

Outside of acting as a mentor to less experienced staff, Burch is responsible for survey crews, deed research, and calculating any necessary fieldwork. He has surveyed lots, large acreage, as-builts, topographic surveys, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) wetlands, route surveys, and subdivision layouts. 

Throughout his career with LIS, Burch has completed more than 6,000 jobs in the survey industry. His vital role as Party Chief has allowed him the opportunity to travel across the region and work on numerous unique and interesting projects.  

Burch said, “One of the coolest jobs I have done is when they were putting up 5G towers in downtown Nashville. I got to survey on top of the Omni Hotel, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, and the Nashville Music City Center.” 

Another unique job Burch has worked on is a topographic survey of the floor of the Tennessee River at Pickwick Landing State Park Marina. In order to have new boat slips designed, a topographic survey of the floor of the marina was required, along with the location of all underwater objects in the vicinity of the existing marina. Mainstream Commercial Divers located these underwater objects and then tied a buoy to each one. Burch, along with other LIS staff members, then surveyed each buoy while in a boat. Some of the objects discovered were cable anchors, bicycles and tires.  

Larry Smith, LIS Vice President, said, “Frank is one of the most knowledgeable and hardest workers I have ever known. He has been an outstanding asset to LIS throughout the years.”