PLSO is continuing the Emerging Leaders Practicum at the 2027 PLSO Conference, January 13–15 in Salem. The program supports PLSO's strategic goal to Improve Leadership (Goal 3) by helping Chapters identify and develop members with the potential to take on future leadership roles within PLSO and the profession.

The Emerging Leaders Practicum is a Chapter-sponsored mentorship program under PLSO's Leadership Academy, developed, implemented, and managed by the Practices Committee.

Program Framework

The practicum is organized around understanding PLSO's past, present, and future:

• Our History: Who are we?
• Our Practices: What is expected?
• Our Vision: How do we get there?

By the end of the practicum, Emerging Leaders will have developed knowledge and familiarity in six areas of professional competency:

• Organization: PLSO's founders, organizational structure, mission, and ethical standards
• History: Key events in Oregon surveying history and the role of County Surveyors
• Competencies: Personal and professional competencies and the role of the surveyor in society
• Leadership: Practices, principles, and traits of effective leaders
• Communication: Persuasive writing and public speaking
• Law, Logic, and Learning: Critical thinking and problem-solving methods

When: The practicum begins at the PLSO Conference, January 13–15, 2027, and continues through the 2028 PLSO Conference.

Where: The first meeting will take place during the 2027 PLSO Conference in Salem. Subsequent sessions will be held monthly via Zoho, during Chapter meetings, and as otherwise determined by the Mentor and Mentee.

Who: PLSO members identified by their Chapters as Emerging Leaders. Chapter Presidents provide local oversight, with support from the PLSO Practices Committee.

Cost: Your time and commitment. Nominal fees for materials may apply. The first nine successful candidates will receive 50% off registration for the 2027 PLSO Conference and, upon successful completion of the practicum, 50% off registration for the 2028 PLSO Conference. Additional scholarship opportunities may also be available.

Next Steps

Interested members should contact Jeremy A. Sherer at 541-517-8205, complete the Mentor-Mentee Agreement, and plan to attend the first meeting at the 2027 PLSO Conference.

Program Materials found at Emerging Leaders Program.

We hope to see the next generation of PLSO leaders there!

A survey company in our region recently reported a highly convincing phishing attempt that serves as a good reminder for all of us to remain vigilant.

The scam began with what appeared to be a legitimate inquiry from a prospective client requesting a meeting with their architect to discuss a future project. The emails were professional, responsive, and included a polished signature line and profile photo. A meeting was scheduled, and shortly before the start time, the recipient received an “urgent” message claiming the architect was already waiting in the meeting.

What appeared to be a Zoom link was then provided—but it was actually a zipped file.

Fortunately, the recipient did not open the attachment and instead suggested a phone call or an alternative meeting platform. The sender immediately became persistent, pressing for screenshots and additional information, revealing that their true objective was likely to get the file opened.

Cybersecurity experts report that scams like this are becoming increasingly common. Rather than relying on obvious spam messages, attackers are posing as potential clients, architects, contractors, and developers to build trust before attempting to deliver malicious files.

These attacks are often designed to steal passwords, gain access to email accounts, install malware, or potentially deploy ransomware.

A few reminders:

• Never open a ZIP file presented as a Zoom or Teams meeting link.

• Verify unknown clients by phone using publicly listed contact information.

• Use your own meeting platform when possible.

• Be cautious of urgent requests that pressure you to act quickly.

• Report suspicious communications to your IT provider or security team.

If something feels off, trust your instincts. A quick verification call can prevent a costly security incident.

Professor Robert “Bob” Schultz, a legendary educator and steward of Oregon’s public lands, died Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Schultz retired at the end of 2018 after 56 years of teaching atOregon State University. During his time at Oregon State, nearly every student in civil and construction engineering passed through his classroom and encountered a professor with exceptionally high standards and a dedication to student success.

Schultz joined Oregon State in the fall of 1962 as an assistant professor after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. In addition to his scholarly pursuits at WPI, he was a gifted athlete and earned 12 varsity letters in football, baseball, and basketball and served as captain of the basketball team his senior year. At OSU, he was promoted to associate professor in 1965 and full professor in 1970, teaching not only on campus but also evening courses at Linn Benton Community College during the 1970s.

His professional accomplishments earned national recognition, including the SaGES Career Recognition Award, the ASCE Surveying and Mapping Award, the Richard M. Bressler Senior Faculty Teaching Award, and numerous honors celebrating his impact on engineering education.

The general public has benefited significantly from his expertise.- Michael Olsen, CH2M HILL Professor in Civil Engineering

Oregon Beach Bill

One of Schultz’s most enduring public contributions came in 1967 with the passage of the Oregon Beach Bill. He played a critical role in developing the methodology that defined the boundary between public and private lands along the Oregon coast — work that helped secure permanent public access to Oregon’s beaches.

“The general public has benefited significantly from his expertise,” saidMichael Olsen, CH2M HILL Professor in Civil Engineering. “Beyond the classroom, his contributions to the development of surveying methods supporting the implementation of the Oregon Beach Bill have benefited both Oregonians and visitors alike by helping define and protect public beach access.”

As a teacher, Schultz was exacting and deeply principled. He emphasized fundamentals, such as drawing a sketch, checking one’s work, always “watching for blunders,” and other lessons that former students carry throughout their careers.

“He expected a lot of them, and they respected him for that,” Olsen said. “He had a passion to see students achieve true success, and he redefined what it means to be persistent — unwavering in upholding moral principles and what he felt was right.”

Advancing the profession

Schultz’s influence extended far beyond OSU. Nearly all registered land surveyors in Oregon attended at least one of his professional workshops, which helped countless practitioners prepare for and pass licensure exams. He also served on the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology’s Engineering Accreditation Commission and was a life member of several professional societies.

To colleagues, Schultz was both a legend and a mentor.Christopher Parrish, professor of geomatics, recalled sitting in on one of Schultz’s classes early in his career. “I thought I already knew the subject matter well,” Parrish said, “so I was shocked at how much I learned — about surveying, teaching, mentoring, storytelling, and more.”

Schultz’s legacy lives on in the professionals he taught and the standards he upheld.

“Everywhere I  traveled across the state, after introducing myself as a faculty member at OSU,” Parrish said, “the first question was always, ‘How’s Bob? Please tell him I said ’Hi!’’”

Those wishing to honor Schultz’s legacy may make a gift to the Robert J. Schultz Memorial Geomatics Endowment Fund by visiting theOSU Foundation giving pageand entering the fund name in the search field.

The Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon (PLSO) is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2024–25 grant recipient by the NCEES Foundation, receiving funding to support a series of new initiatives designed to grow and strengthen Oregon’s land surveying workforce.

The initiatives, set to roll out over the coming year, will focus on increasing public awareness of the surveying profession, building stronger career pathways, and promoting licensure as the foundation of professional practice. Efforts will include outreach to students, veterans, and career seekers, as well as tools and resources to help small firms participate in meaningful workforce development.

The PLSO Board of Directors will convene in October to begin formal planning and implementation of these programs, with the goal of launching multiple efforts ahead of the 2026 hiring season. These initiatives are part of PLSO’s ongoing commitment to ensuring a strong, skilled, and licensed surveying workforce for the future.

“PLSO is honored to be recognized by the NCEES Foundation and to have the opportunity to build programs that deliver real impact across Oregon,” said Executive Secretary Aimee McAuliffe. “This is about investing in the next generation and providing our members with tools to grow the profession.”

National Support for Licensure Advancement

PLSO joins 12 other organizations nationwide awarded grants by the NCEES Foundation in its 2024–25 funding cycle. Recipients include universities, state societies, and professional associations whose projects aim to advance engineering and surveying licensure and protect the public welfare.

Some of this year’s funded projects include:

• Outreach and licensure support for underrepresented professionals

• K–12 and college STEM engagement programs

• University-led recruitment and retention initiatives

• Career development programs for rural communities and veterans

The NCEES Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, supports efforts that directly promote the value of professional licensure and strengthen the engineering and surveying pipeline nationwide.

Looking Ahead

The Foundation is currently accepting donations for the 2025–26 funding cycle. Contributions at Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels help support future programs like those led by PLSO and will be recognized in NCEES publications and events. Letters of inquiry for the next round of funding open October 1, 2025.

To learn more about PLSO’s work, visit plso.org. For more information about the NCEES Foundation and how to contribute, visit ncees.org/foundation.

PLSO is excited to support Scouts BSA by helping present the Land Surveying Merit Badge at Camp Mooney this September! This is a great opportunity to share your knowledge and inspire the next generation of surveyors.

We’ll be running multiple teaching stations to guide Scouts through the full badge program, which takes about 4 hours to complete. Lunch will be provided to all volunteers and participants.

We Need Volunteers!

We’re seeking Licensed Surveyors and surveying professionals to join us as instructors for the day.

• Each instructor will guide a group of 4–8 students.

• We expect 30+ Scouts, so we’ll need a strong team of volunteers to make it a success.

• The badge content is straightforward and well-suited for group instruction.

• No registration or special training is required—just show up and lend your expertise!

Optional Camping Available

• Volunteers are welcome to stay overnight at Camp Mooney:

• Friday evening through Sunday morning

• Restroom facilities (portable and fixed) available

• Potable water on-site

• Bring your own tent, RV, or camper

• No power hookups, so pack a generator or power bank if needed

Quick Details at a Glance:

• What: Land Surveying Merit Badge Event

• When: Saturday, September 27 (optional camping Sept. 26–28)

• Where: Camp Mooney, near Roseburg, OR

• Who We Need: Surveyors & volunteers to help teach

• Provided: Lunch, water, restrooms

• Not Required: Training, registration, or pre-certification

Let’s show Scouts how exciting and valuable land surveying can be!

Questions? Interested in volunteering?

Reach out to

Matt Banton, PLS (OR, ID)

Thank you for helping us grow the future of our profession!

We’re excited to share that the 2025 Education & Outreach Auction raised an incredible $22,058.64! These funds are already making an impact—supporting the 2025 Scholarship Awards, contributing to the PLSO Oregon Community Fund, organizing a Scout Surveying Badge Field Day in Roseburg in August, and sponsoring veterans at the Wings & Eagles Airshow.

As we look ahead to the 2026 Auction, the Auction Committee wants to hear from you!

What items or experiences would inspire you to raise your hand and support your community?

Your input helps us create a fun and meaningful auction that makes a difference.

Take Survey

Are you interested in making a very real impact on future land surveyors? We are currently looking for someone to take over chairing the Scholarship Committee. Daren Cone, our current chair, is looking to work with someone for awarding scholarships this year for an easy transition process. Please check out the volunteer duties below and contact Scott Freshwaters if you're interested.

The role of the Scholarshsip Committee requires about 8-16 hours per year, and includess:  

• Work with auction committee on fund raising efforts for the scholarship fund (has included being the emcee for the live auction- but that’s not written policy anywhere)

March/April

• Review current available funds for distribution from OCF and make request to board for current years scholarship fund amounts.
• Review scholarship committee roster and confirm contact list with Oregon Community Foundation and confirm that conflict of interest policies are signed by all committee members.

Mid to late June

• List of applicants is made available to committee members. 
• The chair reaches out (by group email) to both the primary committee members and the oversight committee members to have the members review the applicant list and determine if any have a conflict of interest.
• If any members declare a conflict of interest the chair determines if there are sufficient remaining members to move forward with the selection process.  If not the chair reaches out to find alternates to fill in for that years selection process and notifies OCF.
• When there are sufficient members to move forward with the selection process the chair sets up virtual meetings with the primary selection committee first followed by the oversight committee.
• Members of the primary selection committee rank the applicants independently before the committee meets.  At the primary committee meeting- the members review and discuss rankings and come to consensus on the rankings and then select recipients and award amounts. 
• At the oversight committee meeting the scholarship chair reviews the recommendations made by the primary committee. The oversight committee can either approve the recommendations made by the primary committee or suggest changes for the primary committee to consider. (hasn’t happened yet)
• Once consensus is reached by both committees the committee chair reports the scholarship recipients and award amounts to OSAC portal using the online distribution form and notifies the PLSO executive director.

Other duties of the scholarship chair:

• Member recruitment for the primary and oversight committees
• Review of scholarship questions and policies from the PLSO board or OCF/OSAC

OSU is hosting a multi-organization surveying conference June 2-4th. (ASCE UESI, AAGS, SaGES) which will have a lot of talks on the new national spatial reference frames, new state plane coordinate system, hydrographic surveying, reality capture, and more. 

(https://www.surveyingconference.org/)

In conjunction with the conference, the National Geodetic Survey will be holding a VDatum workshop (see below for details) at OSU to learn more about methods to transform between different vertical datums.  Note the conference has a registration fee; however, there is no charge for the VDatum workshop and you can register separately. You can sign up for the workshop here: https://forms.gle/M4Kvn3FXQKMfgPNz9

Article courtesy of Joe Young, Secretary of South Central Chapter and 173FW Oregon National Guard

Orginal posted August, 15, 2023

The 173 Civil Engineer Flight mission-ready Airmen executed a unit-led Field Training Exercise to bring a former DOD facility back online for future mission readiness.

Fourteen engineers deployed to a remote tower site constructed and used by the USAF Air Defense Command in the 1950’s. Like many ADC sites across the western US, this one was decommissioned, mothballed, and left for nature to reclaim. This site, in particular, though not actively used by the DOD, remained under the span of control of the USAF and made for an ideal sitting location for proposed future development. Initial site surveys determined that the remaining facility, while in good condition, needed a little elbow grease to cut back on nearly 40 years of overgrown brush and vegetation that swamped the once-booming outpost. The exact location of the site is excluded from this article, however, if you know your Air Force history and how to read a paper map you may be able to get in the neighborhood, as the site is not indicated on any version of Google/Apple Maps.

This FTX aimed to accomplish two objectives for the 173CEF. One, practice real-world examples of Bare-Base Expeditionary contingency skills under an Agile Combat Employment construct not typically afforded at home station. Two, perform real-world maintenance on a historic USAF property that will be used by the 173FW for future mission operations.

While the 173CEF has only 5 AFSCs to pull from, a majority of airmen comprising the Flight were prior-service members and engineering professionals in their community. The final on-site team consisted of over 16 different AFSC skill sets and a plethora of additional civilian career disciplines that formed the epitome of what a Multi-Capable Airman team should look like.

Traveling lean with cross-utilized skill-set teams brings a sharpened edge to Agile Combat Support. The team practiced alternative radio communications and convoy operations of vehicles laden with camping gear, food supplies, and construction equipment necessary for the week-long exercise. Among the skills honed, the Flight used GPS and old-fashioned land navigation techniques to find a remote location not listed in a phonebook or located on any street map.

On-site CEF personnel trained on the operation and safety of various hand tools, such as chainsaws, brush trimmers, machetes, and light-duty construction equipment. By the end of the first 48 Hours, the team had cleared nearly an acre and a half of overgrown brush that presented a fire hazard to the facility. An amazing feat considering 1.5 acres is roughly 65,000 square feet or the size of a college football field goal post to goal post. Indoors, the team removed failing partition walls, repaired exterior doors, and restored electricity to portions of the facility which circuitry dated roughly 1965. In addition to fieldwork, the team was able to document and upload various facility condition reports, inspections, and documents to USAF systems utilizing STARLINK terminal.

Because of the team efforts during the FTX, the aged facility is again ready for operations and can quickly be reconfigured, upgraded, and modernized to meet future mission requirements. Although this was just one small unit performing at one remote location in the Western US, the team demonstrated what the USAF Civil Engineers do for Resilient Forward Basing around the globe every day

Oregon’s engineers, architects and land surveyors thank the Senate for passingSenate Bill 1575, urge quick action in House

SALEM, Ore. — Today, the Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 1575 to end unfair contract practices in public sector projects that harm small businesses, particularly emerging, women and minority owned businesses. The bill now heads to the House for further consideration.

“Oregon’s engineers, architects and land surveyors care deeply about our communities, which is why we invest in our local economy, creating jobs and building affordable housing for Oregonians,” said Alison Davis, Executive Director of American Council of Engineering Companies of Oregon. “Passing Senate Bill 1575 would eliminate bad and unfair contract practices in the public sector and ensure everyone involved in a project pays their fair share of legal expenses. This isn’t about shirking responsibility – it’s about ensuring fairness so everyone is paying their own way and adequately protected by their insurance.”

Oregon professional service contracts often require design professionals – including engineers, architects, surveyors, landscape architects and planners – to defend others involved in projects for legal claims or damages even though the design professional is not responsible. This “duty to defend” language is legally problematic, expensive and a barrier to entry for many small, emerging, women and minority owned businesses, and is uninsurable by professional liability insurance carriers. 

“As a Hispanic woman who founded and owns a small engineering firm, I’m urging Oregon lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 1575, which will protect businesses like mine from state and local government’s unfair contract practices. It will also allow our industry to help Gov. Tina Kotek meet her affordable housing project goals,” said Tina Adams, Professional Engineer and President of Casso Consulting, Inc. “It’s hypocritical and patronizing that we should be forced to risk financial ruin by agreeing to a government contract to build affordable housing for the houseless people in our communities. It is particularly offensive that state and local governments require a 20% to 30% small business participation goal for public works projects but still allow their legal counsel and procurement officers to include this small business killer clause.”

Businesses purchase liability insurance to protect themselves from legal harm. However, there is limited professional liability insurance available to engineers, architects and land surveyors that covers the legal expenses for others involved in construction projects. This leaves Oregon’s design professionals stuck in an unfair situation with no way to protect themselves other than to unfairly assume the risk and hope for the best or forgo designing projects. Often, design firms do make the tough decision to walk away from contracts, but they cannot walk away every time. When designers are compelled to sign these agreements, they are committing their business assets to pay these costs, regardless of fault. Because these risks are significant, and potentially catastrophic, the result is fewer firms seeking such work at a time when the Governor has prioritized affordable housing projects.

SB 1575, introduced by state Sens. Floyd Prozanski and Kim Thatcher, would require each party to a construction contract be responsible for their own negligence or fault. This means parties will pay damages based on the actual liability, rather than mere alleged liability, allowing them to purchase the proper insurance and compete on an even playing field.

Oregon is home to more than 100 engineering and surveying businesses, which employ nearly 4,000 people. With Senate passage of SB 1575, Oregon is one step closer to joining California, Colorado, Utah and Washington in having laws stating a design professional will only be responsible for defense costs to the proportionate extent of their liability or fault. The bill will now be considered in the