Issuu

hio Surveying News

A publication of the Ohio Society of Professional Surveyors

2026 OSPS State Officers

President

Joshua Mihelcic, P.E., P.S.

President-Elect

Raymond Foos, P.S.

Secretary

Andrew Jordan, P.S.

Treasurer

Patrick M. Ernst, P.S., PLS

NSPS Director

Thomas Silva, P.S.

Immediate Past President

Jonathan Link, P.S.

The Ohio Surveying News is the official publication of the Ohio Society of Professional Surveyors and is published as a service for the surveyors of Ohio and the profession in general.

Opinions expressed in articles and editorials in this newsletter are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of OSPS or any professional firm, governmental agency, or university department employing such authors.

Patrick M. Ernst, P.S., PLS, Editor Gary Schuller, P.S., OSN Committee Chair

2026 OSPS State Committee Chairs

Awards & Recognition.....Kevin Woeste, P.S., PLS Communications Raymond Foos, P.S. Fundraising.......................... George Hofmann, P.S. Legislation.....................Stephen McCall, P.E., P.S. Management Review.....Joshua Mihelcic, P.E., P.S. Membership Jonathan Link, P.S. Nominating..............................Raymond Foos, P.S. Ohio Surveying News................Gary Schuller, P.S. Past Presidents Council Jonathan Link, P.S. Political Action.......Richard Fredrickson, P.E., P.S. Program ........................................Kevin Stacy, P.S. Annual Conference.......Jeffrey Waggamon, P.S. Fall Seminar Raymond Foos, P.S. Scholarship .......................Matthew Newsome, P.S. Scholarship Fund Board ........ Franklin Snyder, P.S. Trig-Star Joseph Fenicle, P.S. Website&SocialMedia TerrenceWright,P.E.,P.S. Workforce Development ...........Thomas Silva, P.S.

Special Committees

2022 Survey Datum.................Raymond Foos, P.S. State Line.............................Dean Ringle, P.E., P.S. Strategic Planning Jeffrey Waggamon, P.S. YoungSurveyorsNetwork............JonathanYoumans,P.S.

2026 OSPS Chapter Delegates

Askega Franklin Snyder, P.S. Central Ohio Mark Smith, P.S. Cincinnati......................................Scott Huber, P.S. Cleveland.................................Michael Straub, P.S. Congress Lands Isaac King, P.S. Firelands Richard Fredrickson, P.E., P.S. Miami Valley.........................Patrick M. Ernst, P.S. Mohican-KillbuckValley..........D.LynnSnyder,P.E.,P.S. Muskingum Michael Nichols, P.S.

Northwest Ohio Thomas Henry, P.S.

Ohio

Michael Austen, P.S.

Charles Chapman, P.S. Southwestern Eric Lutz, P.S. Toledo

Jeffrey Waggamon, P.S.

Terrence Wright, P.E., P.S. Treaty

Jared Akins, P.S. Western

Joseph Fenicle, P.S.

Greetings from the President

First of all, I am truly honored to be able to serve as President for this great organization. It has only been a month, but wow, time certainly does go quickly these days and thinking we are already a month removed from the Annual Conference. Thank you to all who helped make the Annual Conference run smoothly, from the moderators, to our sponsors and exhibitors, the program committee, and especially Paula and Misha.

For anyone at the Annual Conference, I am going to repeat myself for all who were not in attendance, because I do feel this message is important. One of the main goals I would like to see, is increased local chapter involvement. For myself, the Miami Valley Chapter was integral in my career development. The knowledge gained and local surveying experience, those are priceless. I would much rather see our chapters grow and develop, than have to realign. This is on all of us, and the path this organization takes, will be a result of our combined, but individual efforts. My fellow surveyors, we will get out of this organization, whatever we put into it.

To our younger surveyors or those just starting out in this profession, attend a chapter meeting. Set a goal for yourself to attend as many of the meetings in a year as you can. I know we are all busy, not just with work, but also our personal lives. But trust me, being involved or just simply attending the meetings, like I did for the first few years, can be very rewarding. Also, look to get involved in the Young Surveyors Network with OSPS.

To our more seasoned and experienced surveyors, if I am asking the younger surveyors to attend and be more involved, we need you to be present as well, to pass on that knowledge, share those stories and teach the next generation how to follow in our footsteps. When I attended meetings and had the opportunity to talk with County Engineers or folks involved in the local Tax Map office or individuals running their own surveying business, these were times I can look back on and realize, wow, I am so glad I was there. I am thankful I got to experience that. Overall, for the past 15 years, I’ve made it a priority to attend chapter meetings regularly, and I’m asking each of you to consider attending chapter meetings more consistently.

Besides chapter involvement, I will look to continue the work that has been started to implement what was discussed and laid out during our Strategic Planning, further those plans to reach out to kids in grade school, middle school and high school and provide them with the opportunity to learn what surveying is and why this profession is great. We need to continue to spread the word about surveying and we can all play a role in that. Overall, thank you for your trust. Thank you for your commitment. And may we continue building something that lasts long after we are gone. God bless this great organization.

Thank you,

Joshua Mihelcic, P.E., P.S.

2026

OSPS President

2026 OSPS President

Joshua Mihelcic, P.E., P.S.

From the Editor’s Desk

After another successful Annual Conference we are in full bloom of vegetation throughout the Great State of Ohio making our field work just a bit more challenging for our members of the Ohio Society of Professional Surveyors (OSPS). Speaking of membership, I would like to once again welcome all new members accepted by the OSPS Board of Directors for the first half of State Fiscal Year 2026, with further acknowledgment of the ten (10) members recognized as Life Members.

During the unpredictable Ohio weather events it is a good time to read this edition of the Ohio Surveying News (OSN). Newly sworn in OSPS President Joshua Mihelcic, P.E., P.S. offers greetings to all members. In his inaugural address he provides details of his career development and challenges younger and seasoned surveyors to stay involved with this fine organization. Check out the other photographs taken at the Annual Conference honouring winners of various awards selected by the Awards and Recognition Committee (Kevin Woeste, P.S., P.L.S. Chair).

Retired University of Maine faculty, Knud Hermansen, PhD, P.E., P.S., Esq. has generously provided OSPS with his third and final article on Professional Practice and Education, proposing that the experience requirement for licensure be removed from NCEES Model Law while retaining the baccalaureate degree requirement. Mr. Hermansen recognizes the controversy of this opinion and supplies examples throughout.

OSPS Member Spotlight focuses on Jon Youmans, P.S., a member of the Central Ohio Chapter and Chair of the Young Surveyors Network (YSN) Special Committee. Jon has done tremendous work in defining the mission and goals of the YSN for Ohio and coordinating network opportunities to our future leadership.

Lastly, on behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express appreciation to our Sustaining Members that help support OSPS members thorough their commitment to offer equipment, services and materials making our jobs just a bit easier.

Respectfully submitted,

Patrick M. Ernst, P.S. Editor, Ohio Surveying News

Congratulations to the 2026 Officers

OSPS is proud to announce the 2026 Board Officers who took their oath of office on February 20 as part of the OSPS Annual Conference.

President: Joshua Mihelcic, P.E., P.S. (Miami Valley Chapter)

President Elect: Raymond Foos, P.S. (Congress Lands and Central Ohio Chapters)

Secretary: Andrew Jordan, P.S. (Central Ohio Chapter)

Treasurer: Patrick M. Ernst, P.S., PLS (Miami Valley Chapter)

NSPS Director: Thomas Silva, P.S. (Toledo Chapter)

2026 OSPS Officers ( l to r): Thomas Silva, P.S.; Patrick M. Ernst, P.S., PLS; Raymond Foos, P.S.; Joshua Mihelcic, P.E., P.S.; Jonathan Link, P.S.; and Andrew Jordan, P.S.

OSPS Award Winners honored at the Annual Conference

The OSPS Awards and Recognition Committee announced the Member of the Year, Surveyor of the Past, Plat Competition, and President’s Award winners, at the OSPS Annual Conference in February 20. Congratulations to all!

Brandon King, representing the Central Ohio Chapter, accepts the award from Dean Ringle (l) and Jon Link (r) on Terry’s behalf.

Continued on page 7

Member of the Year: Kenneth “Wayne” Boutwell (Nominated by the Miami Valley Chapter) Wayne is pictured with his family.

Plat Competition (Boundary Category): Michael Peecook, EMH&T, Inc. Kevin Woeste (l) and Jon Link (r) present the award.

Plat Competition (Other Category):

Jackson Brandel, Franklin County Engineers Office Kevin Woeste (l) and Jon Link (r) present the award.

OSPS Member Spotlight

Jon Youmans, P.S.

OSPS Chapter: Central Ohio

Ohio Location: Columbus

Current Company & Role: Project Manager at American Structurepoint

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Westerville and have lived in the greater Columbus area my entire life. After attending The Ohio State University, I began my career at American Structurepoint.

Favorite Ohio sports team or local pastime? The Cincinnati Bengals are my favorite Ohio sports team, although my overall favorite team is the Chicago Cubs.

Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you enjoy? Outside of work, I enjoy golfing, taking on home renovation projects, and reading or watching history books and documentaries. I also enjoy spending time vacationing in Northern Michigan.

How long have you been in the surveying profession? I have been in the surveying profession since 2017.

What inspired you to become a surveyor? I enjoyed math, science, and history growing up, so I naturally gravitated toward engineering. A family mentor of mine, Steve Stolte, former Union County Engineer, encouraged me to consider civil engineering. While attending The Ohio State University and pursuing my Civil Engineering

Continued on page 12

Award Winners

President’s Award: John Greenhalge Dean Ringle (l) and Jon Link (r) present the President’s Award.

Thank you to the OSPS Awards and Recognition Committee for their efforts on a successful awards program:

Kevin Woeste, Committee Chair

Jon Link

Matt O’Bryan

Misha Lawson

More information on the Awards Program can be found under the “Members Only” tab on the OSPS website.

Welcome New Members

The following members have joined OSPS between July 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026 and been approved by the OSPS Board of Directors. Welcome all new members and thank you for your support!

MEMBER TYPE NAME

CITY, STATE CHAPTER/S

Life Stephen Cahill Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati

Rose Coors Batavia, OH Southwestern

William D. Edwards Urbana, OH Miami Valley

Douglas Kramer Eaton, OH Miami Valley

Gary Nichols Batavia, OH Southwestern

Richard Nichols Cincinnati, OH Southwestern

Craig Risner Batavia, OH Southwestern

Danile Susany Lisbon, OH Tuscarawas Valley

William J. Vondra Port Clinton, OH Cleveland

Michael Wilson Cincinnati, OH Southwestern

Professional

Stephen Campbell Akron, Ohio Western Reserve

Joshua Carpenter Medina, OH Cleveland

Seth Coles Edon, OH Northwest Ohio

Richard Cummins Perrysburg, OH Toledo

James Fouts New Philadelphia, OH Tuscarawas Valley

Brant Gressel Xenia, OH Miami Valley

Eric Hillard Canfield, OH Western Reserve

Ronald Hinton Wickliffe, OH Miami Valley

Kyle Kyer Byesville, OH Ohio Valley

Gregory Liff Orient, OH Central Ohio

Earnest McCarty Ashton, WV Scioto Valley

Timothy Schram Jacksonville, FL Miami Valley / Out of State

Samuel Sketch Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati

John Slone Waverly, OH Scioto Valley

Tom Tobin Lancaster, OH Central Ohio

Gregory Vaughn Benton Harbor, MI Northwest Ohio

Adam Zearley Canton, OH Tuscarawas Valley

Associate Christian Austin Avon, OH Firelands

Faraj Faraj Columbus, OH Central Ohio

Heath Gwirtz Crestline, OH Congress Lands

Wael Hassan Columbus, OH Central Ohio

Andrew Merchinsky West Chester, OH Cincinnati

Michael O'Callaghan Hillsboro, OH Southwestern

Robert Pressel Sidney, OH Cincinnati

Sean Snezek Westlake, OH Cleveland

Evan Spencer Vermillion, OH Cleveland

Blake Wilcox Mansfield, OH Central Ohio

Retired Paul Gruner Dayton, OH Miami Valley

Patrick Leonhardt Temperance, MI Toledo

Jim Ruemping Dayton, OH Miami Valley

MEMBER TYPE NAME

CITY, STATE CHAPTER/S

Affiliate Shawna Fischer Cleveland, OH Cleveland

Chris Hess Huber Heights, OH Miami Valley

Joshua Holtschulte Marysville, OH Central Ohio

Agustus Howe Columbus, OH Central Ohio

Brice Little Findlay, OH Treaty Lands

Tyler Mayberry Columbus, OH Central Ohio

Caroline Petersen Painesville, OH Askega

Lee Stubblefield Lima, OH Toledo

Jacob Whitford Columbus, OH Central Ohio

Chris Winkle Milford Center, OH Central Ohio

Stephen Winkle Milford Center, OH Central Ohio

Student Abdoul Majid Abdou Issa Canal Winchester, OH Central Ohio

Nicholas Andries Westerville, OH Central Ohio

Andrew Barnette Delaware, OH Central Ohio

Gregg Clark Bellville, OH Central Ohio, Cleveland

Emma Core Spencerville, OH Treaty Lands

Connor Dailey Columbus, OH Central Ohio

Brooks Elder Maumee, OH Toledo

Mark Hedden Columbus, OH Central Ohio

Jeffrey Hipp Westerville, OH Central Ohio

Brent Hughes Broadview, OH Western Reserve

Colin Jones West Chester, OH Cincinnati

Yousef Mousa Westerville, OH Central Ohio

Jack Munn Hillsboro, OH Southwestern

Adam Roberts Salem, OH Tuscarawas Valley

Easton Silva Fremont, OH Northwest

Christopher Stanley Maineville, OH Cincinnati

Mike Wells Columbus, OH Central Ohio

Jayden Taylor Maumee, OH Northwest Ohio, Toledo

William Vierling Monroe, OH Cincinnati

Sustaining CTS (David Russell) Reynoldsburg, OH Central Ohio

DroneView Technologies (Jason Heywood) Bloomfield Hills, MI Out of State

Thoughts on Professional Practice and Education: Eliminate Experience Requirement for Licensing

ByKnudE.Hermansen,P.L.S.,P.E.,Ph.D.,Esq.

This is the third article I have prepared in a series giving thoughts on professional practice and education. This topic, I have no doubt, will leave blood on the walls – a metaphor only. I will have good friends who take issue with some of my thoughts. Old age allows opinions to be expressed in a manner that youth cannot do or does so inappropriately.

When I was young, I often cared what people thought of my opinions. Having reached an old age, I have come to realize another person’s opinion about me has never paid a single bill I owed. Living to an old age allows friends to mature and enemies to be cultivated.

I will not give a long discourse on my experience, education, and practice. Suffice to say my first of many survey licenses was achieved in 1978 before many who will read this article were born. I will even surmise that my last professional license, that of an attorney, was achieved before many readers of this article were born. I have seen and experienced much in my life that allows for many opinions.

In this missive I will touch the often-sensitive topic of experience requirements for the surveying program graduate. I will begin by stating I am not so much advocating for change as I am suggesting the profession consider changes. As is so often the case, the way a person did things in their past causes them to feel that way is the best way to do things in the future. I had six years of experience before obtaining my survey license based entirely on my experience. That is my story. Why isn’t my way the best way in this case? Old age has taught me there is often a wide chasm between what was done and what should be done - what is wanted is not always what is needed.

I hoist the target as I once did fifty years ago as a young Marine working the ‘butts’ at the rifle range. Here is the target: I suggest that experience not be required for licensing of a graduate of an accredited surveying program. There I have made my statement and shown the target. I can already hear the shots and bullets passing through my hoisted target from readers. Some reader is already writing to the editor stating in so many words, with heated passion, that my unsolicited advice is meddling and is not welcome. What is present, works. Perhaps that thought will be the consensus of most of the individuals who read this article.

Why would I make such a statement? Surely as old as I am, I must recognize that experience has taught me far more than four years of surveying education, if not more. I must have learned important knowledge that was never available through education. My answer to both statements is a resounding ‘yes’.

I must emphasize that important knowledge, complete knowledge, or extensive knowledge is not the purpose of licensing. Licensing’s purpose is to protect the public. Licensing is to ensure the licensee has attained the minimum level of knowledge, established by the profession that is thought necessary for competent practice.

Let us not fool ourselves in thinking two or four years of experience is a constant learning process for an individual.

Thoughts on Professional Practice and Education

Continuedfrompage10

It is not. In many cases, experience is merely the repetition of a limited number of survey tasks repeated over many years. An individual who has spent four years surveying urban lots has probably gained the extent of new knowledge after only three months of employment and after surveying one or two of their first urban lots.

Some readers will counter by claiming that rather than less experience, more detailed experience is required in the licensing application. The application would have to show various complexities and scope of services for experience to count toward licensure. I would suggest that such specificity to experience qualifications will deny licensing for many individuals who work for small survey firms with limited clientele needs or individuals working for large firms that are slotted in specific services offered by the large firm. Such a move will further limit the number of licensees in our profession.

The number of licensed surveyors is already declining from a lack of new and younger licensees.

Back to my days in the Marines, I have cause to look at the large target over my head. There is a new hole from the shooter. The shooter states that my suggestion would allow someone to graduate, be licensed, and provide services to the public soon after graduation. Valuable property rights will be in jeopardy because services will be entrusted to the licensed surveyor without any experience. Incompetence will run unchecked within the profession. The professions’ good reputation will collapse. Millions of dollars in property values will be jeopardized.

I think not. Over 34,000 lawyers graduate each year from law school. Every law school graduate can take the bar exam immediately following graduation. Within months of graduation every one who passes the bar exam can legally practice law without showing one single day of experience. These new, inexperienced lawyers can prepare deeds, write estate plans, argue for clients in court, and so much more. Do they? Of course not. A very few lawyers perhaps - but most work under the guidance of experienced practitioners. I expect the vast majority of surveyors licensed upon graduation after passing their exams will work for experienced surveyors. Very few would set up a practice on their own soon after graduation.

I could go on and shall do so only to beat this argument to reasonable size for some to swallow. There are over 14,000 pharmacists who graduate each year, are licensed after graduation, and dispense controlled and potentially dangerous and deadly drugs. There are over 155,000 nurses who graduate each year and become licensed RNs mere weeks after graduation and make life and death health decisions for patients, dispensing drugs, taking care of injuries, and so on.

There are over 10,000 officers commissioned each year without any prior experience in combat leadership that are placed in charge of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines or multi-million-dollar airplanes and make decisions affecting lives in combat. (The Lord knows as a Marine sergeant I had my concerns about some new 2nd lieutenants.) I could go on with statistics and facts about ministers, doctors, dentists, cosmetologists, teachers, and other professions that allow graduates to have licenses soon after graduation. I believe I have made my point. Surveying and engineering are in a small minority of professions that continue to require experience in addition to their education before licensing.

So, what is wrong with requiring experience before licensing? I believe it hinders efforts to attract new members to our profession. For an eighteen-year-old high school graduate, the time required to obtain a four-year surveying degree along with four-years of relevant experience to become licensed as a surveyor is a long commitment. The high school graduate can be a licensed engineer in the same time, or become a teacher, nurse, military officer,

Continued on page 12

Thoughts on Professional Practice and Education

Continuedfrompage11

accountant, forester, electrician, and plumber four years sooner or a lawyer, doctor, dentist, pharmacist, minister, veterinarian, occupational therapist, and architect in one year less. Must the surveying profession erect barriers upon roads that few choose to travel anyway?

Having given my opinion, I now offer advice by suggesting the NCEES model law be changed to allow licensing with a four-year degree and state legislatures adopt this option. At the very least, states should allow graduates to take both their fundamentals of surveying and professional surveying exams near graduation allowing licensing as soon as experience has been achieved. Some licensing boards have already adopted this option. I will speak more on this latter option in a subsequent article.

† Other books and articles by Knud can be found at https://umaine.edu/svt/faculty/hermansen-articles/

OSPS Member Spotlight

Continuedfrompage7

degree, I took a surveying course with Bob Mergel and immediately fell in love with the profession. From that point, I decided to pursue a minor in Surveying and Mapping. Courses taught by Dean Ringle, particularly those covering the history of Ohio land subdivisions, introduced me to the historical side of surveying. That aspect made the profession even more appealing, as it combined my interests in math, problem-solving, and history.

What type of surveying work do you focus on (boundary, construction staking, GIS, etc.? While I work on a variety of surveying projects for both public and private clients, my primary focus is transportation surveying, including corridor boundary resolution and right-of-way plan development.

Can you share one project youʼre especially proud of? Why does it stand out? One project I’m especially proud of is the completion of a 200+ page right-of-way plan set. This project had a little bit of everything: proposed road realignments, local streets, interstates, reconfigurations of limited-access right-of-way, total takes, property rights, and even missed splits from previous projects. It was complex, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. I feel like I learned more about surveying and right-of-way plans on this project than on any other project I’ve worked on. Seeing the plans signed and sealed was an incredibly satisfying moment.

Whatʼs the most rewarding part of being a surveyor? The most rewarding part of being a surveyor is problemsolving. Every project is unique and presents its own challenges, and finding solutions to those challenges brings a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Whatʼs one challenge in the profession youʼve overcome or learned from? Things don’t always make sense, and they’ll surely never be perfect. You’ll drive yourself mad if you expect every monument to fit!

What advice would you give someone considering a career in surveying? I’d say: give it a try. Surveying offers a unique blend of technology and history, indoor and outdoor work, and a wide variety of project types that will keep you engaged. There’s truly never a dull moment every project is something different.