August 2026
NSPS Director’s Report
By Brad Holleman, PLS, PE
Louisiana Director, LSPS Board of Directors
The past several months have been an active period for the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS), with significant progress occurring in professional development, governance, and technical initiatives. Since spring, NSPS leadership, state directors, and volunteers have continued working to strengthen the profession while preparing for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Preparing for the NSRS Modernization
One of the most discussed topics among NSPS Directors during recent meetings has been the upcoming implementation of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) modernization and the transition to the 2022 datum. Conversations among directors have focused on the readiness of individual states, the status of geodetic control networks, and outreach efforts needed to help surveyors understand the changes coming with the new reference framework.
Louisiana has a unique interest in this effort due to our reliance on accurate vertical datums, coastal monitoring programs, and public infrastructure projects. Discussions among the Southern Directors Council indicate that many surveyors across the country continue to have questions regarding implementation timelines, elevation changes, coordinate system updates, and the practical impacts on daily surveying workflows. Louisiana has already taken legislative steps necessary to accommodate the transition when the new datum is released.
Investing in the Next Generation
One of the most encouraging developments within NSPS continues to be the growth of the Young Surveyors Network (YSN) Mentorship Program. Throughout the summer, NSPS worked to recruit mentors, match participants, conduct onboarding sessions, and prepare for the current mentorship cycle. The program connects emerging surveyors and geospatial professionals with experienced practitioners from across the country to promote professional growth, career development, and industry engagement.
As Louisiana's Director, I volunteered to participate in this year's program and am currently serving as a mentor. My goal is to better understand the program firsthand, evaluate the time commitment required, and determine the value it can provide to surveyors and geospatial professionals here in Louisiana. By participating directly, I hope to provide LSPS members with informed recommendations on how they can benefit from future mentorship opportunities.
If you have an interest in serving as either a mentor or a mentee in future mentorship cycles, please contact me directly. I would be happy to maintain a list of interested Louisiana participants and help connect members with future opportunities as they become available. The YSN Mentorship Program is generally conducted on an annual basis, and I would like to see stronger Louisiana participation in future years.
Governance and Organizational Modernization
NSPS leadership has also been evaluating potential governance changes intended to better position the organization for future growth and effectiveness. Directors have been engaged in discussions regarding council realignment, organizational structure, financial modernization, and ways to improve communication and engagement between the national organization and state societies.
While these discussions are ongoing, the common objective is clear: ensuring that NSPS remains responsive, efficient, and capable of meeting the needs of members in an increasingly dynamic professional environment.
Continuing the Conversation on Professional Practice
Across the country, professional societies continue discussing how surveying statutes and regulations should evolve alongside rapidly advancing technologies. Technologies such as LiDAR, laser scanning, UAV data collection, remote sensing, geospatial analytics, and digital twins continue to reshape the way surveyors collect, process, and deliver information.
Many states are examining how to modernize their statutory definitions of surveying while preserving the public protections that professional licensure provides. These conversations will remain important as technology continues to expand both the capabilities and responsibilities of the professional surveyor.
Looking Ahead
As we move toward the NSPS Fall Business Meeting, several important topics will continue to dominate discussions, including workforce recruitment, mentorship, licensure pathways, geodetic modernization, and organizational effectiveness.
I encourage every LSPS member to stay engaged with both LSPS and NSPS activities. Whether through mentorship, committee participation, professional outreach, or sharing your knowledge with younger professionals, each of us has a role to play in strengthening the future of our profession.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Louisiana Director to NSPS. I am proud to represent Louisiana's surveyors at the national level and look forward to providing additional updates following the upcoming fall meeting.
WE
NEED
YOUR
HELP!
We want to help worthy students join us in the Land Surveying profession!
Please donate to:
1.The Education Foundation grants scholarships while providing guidance by assisting worthy students to obtain instruction and training in land surveying and higher education.
2.The Every Member Campaign (EMC), which began in 2006, was created solely for the purpose of supporting the Geomatics Program at Nicholls State University.
Donate to the Disaster Fund so that we can always stand ready to give relief when disaster hits our area.
Donate to the Legislative Fund so that we can be ready to address legislation affecting our Surveying Profession.
LSPS DISTRICT INFORMATION
District 1
Louie Hartman
louie@gkcsurveyors.com
District 2
Derek Martin
dmartin@apexsurveyllc.com
District 3
Devon Richard
devoncrichard@gmail.com
District 4
Matt Caraway
matt@raleyandassociates.com
District 5
Randy Denmon
randy@denmon.com
District 6
Derek Wheat
derek.wheat@yahoo.com
District 7
Garry Johnson
gjjengineering@yahoo.com
District 8
Matt Phillips
matt@lodestone.biz
District 9
Cory MacMenamin
cmacmenamin@ddgpc.com
If you are not an LSPS member, we would like to invite you to attend a District meeting in your area. Contact the LSPS office at lsps@lsps.net, or the chairman in your area noted above for details about upcoming meetings.
BE a SURVEYOR .COM
Revamped and Ready to Educate: beasurveyor.com
Beasurveyor.com has undergone a complete redesign, tailored specifically to engage K-12 audiences. With a sleek new design and user-friendly interface, the website is geared towards making surveying accessible and exciting for young minds. The updated aesthetics, curated videos, and intuitive navigation are sure to captivate students and educators alike.
Surveying Outreach Resource Page
One of the standout features of the redesigned website is the Surveying Outreach Resource Page. This section is a treasure trove for surveyors interested in outreach and educators looking to incorporate surveying into their curriculum. It offers a variety of valuable resources. You can download lesson plans for classroom activities, access surveying presentations, play videos, and even order materials for speaking engagements or career fairs.
For those new to outreach, the "Outreach 101" section offers guidance on how to effectively engage students and the broader community in surveying. It's the perfect starting point for surveyors eager to share their knowledge.
Why Focus on K-12 Education?
The decision to cater to K-12 audiences is a strategic move. After a yearlong research project, results pushed for outreach efforts to be aimed mainly at K-12 demographics. By introducing surveying to students at an early age, beasurveyor.com aims to kindle an interest that could turn into a lifelong passion and a career choice. Although K-12 is the main target audience, the website and outreach plan will incorporate college students, ex-military, and others looking for a change in career.
Get Started Today
Together, we can inspire the next generation of surveyors and change the way they perceive the world around them. Visit the new and improved beasurveyor.com today and be a part of the surveying revolution!
SOUTH LOUISIANA COMMUNITY COLLEGE UPDATE
May 2026
By: Michael O’Pry
We have a very good starting class, with plenty of industry individuals who are looking for their LAPELS PDH hours. Our semester begins August 17th, and registration is open until the 21st for late registration. We are ready to get started and help as many people as possible who want to improve their careers. It’s going to be a great year!
NICHOLLS GEOMATICS PROGRAM UPDATE
May 2026
By: Dr. Esra Tekdal-Yilmaz
Greetings from the Nicholls State University Geomatics Program! We are excited to start the Fall 2026 semester with our new and returning students. We are pleased to share the following program updates and news about our student and faculty achievements:
ABET Accreditation Surveys – Your Input is VITAL.
With our upcoming ABET (the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accreditation cycle fast approaching, input from our alumni, employers, and professional surveying network is essential.
ABET accreditation directly validates that our Geomatics/Surveying curriculum meets the strict educational standards required by the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board (LAPELS). Maintaining this credential ensures our graduates have a streamlined pathway toward becoming a certified Land Surveyor Intern (LSI) and a licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) in Louisiana.
Please take a few minutes to fill out the ABET survey Google Forms provided below in this issue. Your direct feedback is critical to ensuring our program continuously improves and maintains its high standards of academic excellence.
Student & Faculty Achievements
Professional Development & Selection
NSF RAPID Workshop: Dr. Balaji Ramachandran was selected to attend the 2026 National Science Foundation (NSF) NHERI RAPID 4-Day Workshop at the University of Washington in Seattle (July 21–24, 2026).
National Leadership & Competitions
ASCE-UESI Surveying Competition: Dr. John Dennis served as a judge at the recent ASCE-UESI National Surveying Competition at Fairmont State University in West Virginia. He also continues his role on the Rules Committee, serving since 2022.
Research & Workforce Development: Dr. Esra recently submitted a $2 million proposal to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s (NGA) BIG-ST BAA program for the Dynamic 4D Coastal Geodetic Testbed (D4C-GT) project. This major research initiative aims to advance high-precision coastal monitoring in South Louisiana while creating enhanced hands-on workforce development opportunities for our students.
Outreach & Program Recruitment
ASCA Annual Conference: Drs. Balaji Ramachandran and John Dennis represented NCEES at the 2026 American School Counselor Association (ASCA) conference in New Orleans (July 11–14, 2026), hosting the "BEaSURVEYOR" booth to engage with more than 2,000 counselors.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE May 2026
By: Harper Duncan & Associates, LLC
LAPELS Proposes Updates to Engineering and Land Surveying Rules
The July 2026 edition of the Louisiana Register included a Notice of Intent from the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board (LAPELS) proposing amendments to several sections of its administrative rules.
Overall, many of the proposed changes are administrative or directed primarily toward professional engineers. However, several provisions are relevant to professional land surveyors and surveying firms.
New Definition of “Subprofessional Work”
One of the more notable changes is the addition of a formal definition of “subprofessional work” as it relates to both engineering and land surveying.
For land surveying, LAPELS proposes defining subprofessional work to include activities such as:
Field data collection
Boundary and site staking
Site preparation
Office support
Surveying calculations
Research
Infrastructure location
The proposed rule also identifies survey technicians, rodmen/chainmen, instrument persons/operators, field engineering aides, survey assistants, and survey crew chiefs as examples of individuals who typically perform this work in support of a professional land surveyor.
The change does not expand the scope of practice for unlicensed individuals or transfer professional responsibility away from the licensed surveyor. Instead, it provides greater clarity regarding the types of supporting tasks that may be performed under the direction of a professional land surveyor.
New Requirements for Licensed Firms
The proposed rules would expressly require a licensed engineering or land surveying firm to keep its certificate of incorporation, organization, or authority active and in good standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State.
Supervising Professional Responsibilities
LAPELS is also proposing additional clarification of the responsibilities of a firm's designated supervising professional.
Among other responsibilities, the supervising professional would be required to:
Ensure timely renewal of the firm's license;
Notify LAPELS within five business days of a change in the firm's supervising professionals;
Notify the Board within five business days if a supervising professional no longer meets the applicable requirements;
Ensure the firm complies with LAPELS laws and rules;
Ensure professional services are performed by or under the responsible charge of an actively licensed professional; and
Ensure the firm's registration with the Secretary of State remains active and in good standing.
The proposed rules also make clear that failure to comply with LAPELS requirements could subject both the licensed firm and its supervising professional to disciplinary action.
Continuing Professional Development Records
The proposal also reorganizes and clarifies the rules governing documentation of Professional Development Hours (PDHs).
Licensees would continue to be responsible for maintaining documentation supporting the PDHs they claim, including certificates, transcripts, or other proof of completion. Licensees must also maintain a Board-approved professional development activity log and be prepared to provide the log and supporting documentation to LAPELS upon request.
Records supporting claimed PDHs must be maintained for at least six consecutive calendar years.
For members, this is a good reminder to maintain complete and organized continuing education records rather than relying solely on course providers to retain documentation.
Mineral Unitization Surveys
The proposed amendments update references within the Standards of Practice for Mineral Unitization Surveys to reflect the current name of the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy.
This is primarily a technical update and does not appear to change the actual surveying requirements for mineral unitization surveys.
What Is Not Changing
Importantly, the Notice of Intent does not appear to change the minimum standards of practice for boundary surveys or the qualifications for licensure as a professional land surveyor.
The land surveying provisions are primarily intended to clarify existing responsibilities, establish clearer firm compliance requirements, define supporting survey work, and update terminology.
The public comment period on the proposed rules closed August 10. LAPELS will now continue through the administrative rulemaking process, and the proposed amendments would become effective upon final promulgation.
LSPS will continue monitoring the rulemaking process and will update members when the final rules are published.
JOIN LSPS:
The Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors is organized to enhance the Surveying Profession. Our goal is to carry out our mission by maintaining high technical and cultural standards in our field, working with educational institutions for the maintenance of high standards of education in Land Surveying, requiring a high standard of ethical practice by our members, and encouraging the personal and professional development of young Land Surveyors.
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