Meridian Engineering’s surveyors recently attended the Western Regional Conference March 23-26, 2024, at the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada. Hosted by the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors (WFPS), a regional non-profit organization composed of Land Surveyor associations representing the 13 western states, including Alaska and Hawaii. WFPS was formed in 1979 and is dedicated to education, fostering common goals within the western states, and providing a regional voice at the national level. Meridian’s survey division leader Michael Nadeau serves as Utah’s director to WFPS furthering our commitment to professional advancement and regional representation. The conference also included the several state surveying societies including Nevada (NALS), California (CLSA), Arizona (APLS), New Mexico (NMPS) and Wyoming (PLSW).
The first day of the conference began with three separate workshop tracks followed by an Education FUNdraiser trip to the LINQ Promenade’s Brooklyn Bowl where old friends and new competed with each other for the purpose of funding surveying scholarships. Throughout the next 3 days were cutting-edge presentations tailored for the professional surveyor’s daily challenges including UAS and Drone Safe Operations, Precise Aerial Mapping, Riparian and Property Boundaries, CFedS, Ethics, Art of Retracement, LiDAR, and GIS integration. Sessions were complemented with networking opportunities including refreshment breaks, ice breaker reception, and the live scholarship auction and dinner with colleagues from far and near.
FUNdraiser trip to the LINQ Promenade’s Brooklyn Bowl
Mock trial with Gary Kent – Meridian’s Michael Nadeau sat in as the Survey Expert for the PlaintiffEthics in the Surveying Presentation shared by John Stahl, PLSPresentations and Workshops were well attended.
This year’s annual Utah Council of Land Surveyors (UCLS) Conference, was held February 8-10, 2023 at the Dixie Center in St. George Utah. The conference theme was “Being an All-Star Surveyor” which was widely attended and included several professionals from Meridian Engineering. The conference is organized for Survey professionals to stay current with best practices, the latest laws, and preview the newest technology for the profession.
Meridian’s right of way and survey teams were happy to be involved throughout the conference, comprised of break-out sessions of key industry topics such as standards and ethics, eminent domain, business practices for surveyors, understanding utility easements, public roads and private lands legal discussion, and discussion on the future of surveying and mentoring the next generation.
Some of the big highlights and accolades that occurred at the conference impacting our firm:
Meridian’s QA/QC Manager Brad Mortensen, PE, PLS was honored with the 2022 UCLS Lifetime Achievement award. Brad received the award based on his volume of service to the Land Surveying Profession over his lifetime in the profession, including past-chairman of the Utah Council of Land Surveyors, current UCLS ad hoc Committee Chairman, developing the 2022 State Plane Coordinate System into existence for Utah with the NGS, was instrumental in developing the 2015 and the 2017 update of the UDOT Surveying and Geomatics Standards Manual, and is the current Treasurer to the Executive Board of the Utah Council of Land Surveyors. Brad is also an adjunct instructor in the Salt Lake Community College Surveying Program where he teaches Control Surveys to the future generation of surveyors.
That is a photograph of the presentation titled “Business Aspects of Land Surveying”
Presented by keynote speaker, Jay Seymour.
After the conference, a small group from Meridian, including spouses, was able to gather for dinner at the Anasazi Steakhouse with long-time Meridian colleague, Bryan Westover of HDR and his wife Jennifer at the rear, Darryl and Wendy Fenn, Tyler and Cass Baron, and Mike and Sheri Nadeau to the front. It was a unique experience. You order your entree including swordfish, steak, or salmon and it is brought out on a hot stone to finish cooking to your liking along with your separately plated meal. The volcanic rock is heated up to 600 degrees in a special oven for 6-8 hours and then placed onto special design stoneware plates that withstand the heat. Entrees were followed by a chocolate fondue including toppings like marshmallows, apples, pineapple, pretzels, cheesecake, strawberries, grapes, rice krispy treats, creme puffs to “dip” in the melted chocolate!Five crowns game with Chuck from ESI and his wife at the Edge Grand Desert Resort. In the middle are Bryan Westover of HDR and his wife Jennifer.Another group outing including Meridian’s Travis Daley, the Baron’s, the Westover’s and the Fenn’s playing Bingo. The gals found a really old bingo set at an antique store in St. George along with some booby prizes for the winners like Slim, a barbie potty, a whoopie cushion, a magic towel, and a crossword puzzle book. It was another fun night at the resort lobby. Jennifer Westover and Wendy Fenn
The last day Friday, Jennifer and Wendy hike in Snow Canyon and enjoy the sunshine while the boys finish the conference. They said it was wonderful!
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 Utah. Recharging in the St George sun is always an added benefit!
This year’s Engineering Fair Competition welcomed Meridian’s Tyler Baron, PLS, Vice President & Right of Way Department Manager, and Nick Baron, Civil EIT, as judges for the event. Held at the gym of West Valley Elementary on January 18th, 2023, our judges were able to review student participants from the 4th Grade as they showcased their accomplishments.
Meridian’s team was happy to be involved and admire great design ideas for the industry.
Meridian was also part of the original design team providing survey and civil design services for the new build of West Valley Elementary while working with TPH and Granite District back in 2000.
Above: Meridian’s Exhibitor Booth #2001 From Left-Randall Vickers, PE, Steve Johnson, PE, Tyler Baron, PLS, and Michael Nadeau, PLS, CFeds
This year’s annual UDOT Conference was held from October 25 – 27, 2022, at the Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah with over 2200 attendees including several professionals from Meridian Engineering. The conference is organized for UDOT employees, students, and partner agencies to connect and participate together in various activities.
Shown above break area in the central hall.
Meridian’s right of way and survey teams were happy to be involved throughout the conference as exhibitors and various break-out sessions of key industry topics such as right of way, stormwater, safety, leadership, and drones revolutionizing UDOT. Did you know there are now flying cars that resemble a large drone? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcdPyzCgkZk
Shown above Matt Hirst, CRS Engineers and Darryl Fenn, Meridian Engineers
Overall, our team looks forward to this event for receiving professional development credits, gaining extra knowledge regarding the profession, and networking with like-minded teaming partners.
