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Meridian team members share some fun and learn lots at the 2022 Western Regional Survey Conference.

By April 13, 2022Events

This year’s annual UCLS Conference, was held March 30 – April 2, 2022, at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada and included Arizona (APLS), California (CLSA), Nevada (NALS) and the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors (WFPS).  This year’s conference had over 950 attendees representing 31 states, including several professionals from Meridian Engineering. The conference is organized for Survey professionals to stay current with best practices, latest laws, and preview the newest technology for the profession. There was over 22 hours of educational tracks across four simultaneously running tracks.

Exhibition Hall where we talk with vendors about the new technologies that are shaping the surveying profession

Meridian’s right of way and survey teams were happy to be involved throughout the conference, comprising of break-out sessions of key industry topics such as ethics, eminent domain, business practices for surveyors, understanding utility easements, a mock trial based on a real boundary case and a full four-day track for survey techs looking to take their licensing exams.

Session examples

Left: Aaron Smith and Trent Keenen discussing “Challenges of a Work Force Shortage”

Right: Listening to Jeff Lucas present Rights of Way and Prescriptive Rights

 

Some of the big highlights and accolades that occurred at the conference impacting our firm:

  • Meridian’s Quality Control and Quality Assurance manager Brad Mortensen, PE, PLS was awarded the 2021 UCLS Surveyor of the Year as presented by Meridian’s Michael Nadeau during Friday’s award ceremony. Brad received the award based on his volume of work to the profession, including his most recent participation as chairman to the UCLS ad hoc committee developing Utah’s new 2022 State Plane Coordinate Systems while working closely with the NGS. As an added kudos to Brad, he also did a presentation during the conference titled, “Benefits from the New 2022 State Plan Coordinate System” that was well attended.

Brad Mortensen awarded UCLS Surveyor of the Year 2021 by Michael Nadeau

Our lead surveyor, Michael Nadeau, PLS, CFedS was acknowledged by the current WFPS chairman for Michael’s service as Chairman of the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors from 2020 to 2021.

Mike Nadeau receives acknowledgement as Chairman of WFPS  from 2020 to 2021 as presented by Ben Petersen and current Chairman of WFPS
Mike’s Chairman of WFPS Plaque (Chairman 2020 to 2021)
The 3 Gaveling Amigos (From left to right: Justin Moore – past president of NALS, Michael Nadeau, past chairman of WFPS – Robert McMillan, past president of CLSA)

A large group from Meridian, including spouses, was able to participate in an evening fundraising bowling event at the Orleans with long-time Meridian colleague, James Olschewski of UDOT and Bryan Westover of HDR. To raise more money for scholarships, tickets were purchased to give gutter balls to the opposing teams and players to help surveying students fund classes in the surveying program. It’s all fun and games until Meridian’s survey manager is handing a founding principal a gutter ball ticket all while saying, “It’s for the students!”

Orleans Fundraiser Bowling event: Brian Boehmer, Mike Nadeau, James Olschefski in the background

New Orleans Fundraiser Bowling event: Our large group

Mike unlocks the treasure (Mike won the scholarship raffle as 1 of 50 surveyors who bought a key)
Brad’s conference session presentation: Benefits from the New 2022 State Plane Coordinate System

Also, a group outing for Italian family style dinner at Bucca Di Peppo with the Pope. It’s always a good time when Meridian employees can network with fellow associates and peers on this holy level.

Meridian and the Westover’s dine with the Pope at Buca Di Peppo, Las Vegas, Nevada baby!

Overall, our team looks forward to this annual event for receiving professional development credits, gaining extra knowledge regarding the profession, and networking with like-minded surveyors from the across the west. Recharging in the Las Vegas sun is always an added benefit!