The Geoholics

On Episode 282 of The Geoholics, we sit down with Tom Yeshurun, CEO of Civ Robotics, to explore how automation is transforming construction layout—and what that evolution means for surveyors, contractors, field crews, and the future of the geospatial profession.

Tom shares the real-world frustrations that inspired Civ Robotics, the company’s bold pivot from drones to ground-based robots, and the challenges of earning trust in an industry where accuracy, accountability, and boots-on-the-ground experience still matter. We dig into the line between surveying and construction layout, the productivity and profitability unlocked by robotic point placement, and why automation should elevate field professionals rather than simply replace them.

We also look ahead to the fully connected jobsite—where robotics, machine control, digital twins, and human expertise converge—and discuss the skills today’s young surveyors and geomatics professionals will need to remain valuable in an increasingly automated world.

Precision gets you started. Automation makes you faster. Verification keeps you out of court.

Music by Led Zeppelin

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This week on The Geoholics, we’re going underground — literally — with Itzik Malka, CEO and Co-Founder of 4M Analytics, a company helping redefine how surveyors, engineers, designers, and contractors understand the hidden world beneath our feet.

If 4M is the “Google Maps of the underground,” then this conversation is all about why that matters. Kent, Peta, and the crew dig into how 4M is using AI, satellite imagery, utility records, and digital intelligence to turn scattered underground utility data into actionable insights before crews ever step foot on site. From avoiding those dreaded “oh sh*t” utility conflict moments to improving safety, reducing risk, saving money, and helping teams make smarter decisions earlier in the project lifecycle, this one hits right at the intersection of technology, field reality, and the future of infrastructure delivery.

Itzik brings a global perspective, a founder’s mindset, and a passion for solving one of the industry’s most expensive and dangerous problems: not knowing what’s underground until it’s too late. Born in Israel and now leading 4M as CEO and Co-Founder, Itzik also shares a little about life beyond the platform — soccer, music, family, and the entrepreneurial drive behind building something that could change how the entire industry plans, designs, and builds.

We also talk about how tools like 4M can work alongside traditional SUE, survey, CAD, GIS, drones, and scanning workflows — not as a replacement for boots on the ground, but as a way to elevate decision-making, reduce surprises, and help teams show up smarter.

Bottom line: The cheapest utility you’ll ever locate is the one you never hit. Dig smart, not sorry.

Music by Cooper Alan!

This week on The Geoholics, we’re digging into the roots of the profession with Michael Hart, BLM Chief Cadastral Surveyor for Idaho, and Bradley Dillon, Lead Surveyor in the Field Section for BLM Idaho. From the legacy of the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Boise Meridian Initial Point to hunting down century-old monuments in rough terrain, this episode is all about the history, grit, problem-solving, and purpose behind cadastral surveying.

We talk field stories, conflicting evidence, protecting public lands, modernizing workflows without losing the integrity of the work, and why mentoring the next generation matters now more than ever. Because cadastral surveyors do not just find boundaries—they build the story, defend the evidence, and preserve a legacy that still shapes millions of acres today.

Buckle up…Episode 280 is one for every surveyor who believes the past still matters, the field still teaches, and the monument still tells the truth.

#TheGeoholics #LandSurveying #CadastralSurveying #BLM #PublicLands #PLSS #Surveyors #Geospatial #Mentorship #America250 #BoiseMeridian #BoundariesMatter

In this episode of The Geoholics, we’re talking mentorship, momentum, and the future of land surveying with Alex Chose and Taylor Shepley from the Young Surveyors Network. With applications open for the 2026 YSN National Mentorship Program, Alex and Taylor dig into why mentorship matters right now, not someday, and how structured mentor/mentee relationships can help young surveyors navigate licensure, leadership, business ownership, work-life balance, confidence, and the kind of hard-earned professional judgment that simply cannot be pulled from a textbook or YouTube video. The 2025 pilot program delivered a powerful result, with 100% of questionnaire respondents saying they would recommend it to their peers, and the 2026 program is expanding to 250 participants, signaling real demand and real momentum across the profession.

This one is about more than career advice. It is a call to action for seasoned surveyors to be intentional about passing down knowledge, opening doors, and helping the next generation believe they belong in the room. Alex brings a passion for community, camaraderie, and preservation of wild public lands, while Taylor brings a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of surveyors through his work in the industry and with YSN. Add in a Leica Geosystems Pro Tip on mentorship, Wanda Jackson’s “Let’s Have a Party” as Song of the Week, and the usual Geoholics energy, and you’ve got an episode focused on adding value, making friends, and reminding all of us that the future of surveying depends on what we are willing to share today.

Episode 279 of The Geoholics is a straight-up masterclass in reality capture, Scan to BIM, digital twins, and the future of the built world. Kent and the crew sit down with industry heavy hitters John Russo and Joseph Romano to unpack how Scan to BIM evolved from a niche service into a game-changing force across the AEC industry. From LOA standards and digital twin ecosystems to AI automation and the risks of “push-button” technology, this episode dives deep into the balance between innovation and professional expertise. The conversation also highlights the critical role of organizations like U.S. Institute of Building Documentation in driving standards, education, and credibility throughout the reality capture community. Toss in some classic Geoholics energy, a little John Mellencamp, industry pro tips, and plenty of future-focused insight—and you’ve got an episode built for anyone serious about where geospatial technology is headed next.