I am a second generation surveyor. My dad was a surveyor and growing up I was always intrigued. Seeing him working out in the woods with a machete and sledgehammer, he seemed like a superhero to me. As I gained experience with survey equipment and maps, I became passionate about the profession and it clicked with me. I began my survey career right out of high school.

I have a few great role models in my life. I try to follow their example by being honest, hardworking, loving and standing up for what I believe in while remaining humble and open to new ideas.

Part of being a surveyor that I didn’t expect but have learned to overcome is that being a surveyor can be a thankless job. People often do not understand all that goes into surveying and they expect that the results are just something a computer tells you. Any time an issue arises it is common the surveyor is the first one to be blamed and must defend their work. I have learned how to educate the public on the complexities of surveying and to be prepared to show how and why I have come to a solution in a clear way.

I love experiencing life with my wife and kids. Enjoying every-day experiences with the perspective of my children gives me a positive outlook on life. We enjoy taking trips to see family and exploring new places together. I am blessed to have a loving family that supports me and encourages me to live life to the fullest.

The most memorable Sandis project I have worked on is the 49ers Levi’s Stadium. I grew a lot on this project and had the opportunity to work with nearly every trade in the process, from the foundation to the drywall. I remember how a strong camaraderie was built amongst the project team as we all worked so hard to ensure a successful completion of the project. Attending the ribbon cutting and subsequent events at the stadium felt so intimate as I could recall the massive amount of work that went into every small detail of erecting that monumental landmark. I love flying over the stadium from SJC and feeling a sense of accomplishment.

When I first began to transition into a leadership role I used to be afraid of making mistakes or not having all the answers. I have learned to instead use these opportunities to grow and learn, seeking answers and knowledge. You can either be comfortable and stagnate or become uncomfortable and grow. I never want to stop learning so I will continue to push into discomfort. Come along with me!