I've been in the surveying industry for nearly 25 years, and more than 18 of those were spent in Southeast Michigan, near Detroit. Working as a field coordinator, survey project manager, and then vice-president of field operations, I honed my GPS, topographic, and boundary mapping skills until the recession blasted Detroit.

Life as a surveyor became very hard in the staggered Michigan market, and I knew it was time to move South. I was welcomed to Dewberry's Charlotte, North Carolina, office in May of 2007 and over the next six years grew with new challenges, great opportunities, and a supportive community. Before I knew it, there was demand within Dewberry for surveying specialists looking to take the next step in their careers, specifically by opening and managing a project office in Pittsburgh, and I knew I was ready for the challenge.

Mapping the Route

In April 2003, the first exploratory well was drilled in Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale, a 600-mile long sedimentary rock formation in the Appalachian Basin. The Shale, as many call it, consists of consolidated clay sediments of up to 900 feet thick. Since then, the area has been known to house some of the largest untapped natural gas reserves in the world. In legendary "gold-rush" style, an influx of raw energy specialists, collectors, and drillers descended upon the Marcellus Shale, but while plenty knew how to get the oil and gas out of the ground and move it, few were prepared to map the routes the pipelines would take.

That's where we as surveyors come in. Since the U.S. became a major energy exporter, the need for pipeline infrastructure has only heightened. As surveyors, it's our job to walk the untamed route of a proposed pipeline and help to identify and document any issues that would inhibit the movement of the oil. Furthermore, thanks to our expertise in conventional surveying, GPS and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems, we can identify those issues with more speed and accuracy than ever before.

Hiring Right, Managing Safety

I wear many hats in Pittsburgh, more than I ever have before. I am helping to set up a new office infrastructure, manage the surveyor focus group, and work closely with our energy sector leader on business development throughout the oil and gas industry. Of all my new responsibilities in Pittsburgh though, none have opened my eyes more than learning to hire the right people and manage safety. By investing in the right workers and the health and safety of our employees, we are directly affecting the outcome of the job in a positive way.

The oil and gas industry is demanding. Crews are outside, on the road, and working in remote areas for days at a time. I've learned that identifying the right men and women is one of the greatest managerial investments. The vertical terrain of the mountainous Marcellus Shale isn't paradise for everyone, but the people we hire are ready for it. These folks are ready to be mobilized in a weekend and work six days a week for multiple weeks straight.

I've also learned more about a manger's responsibility to the safety of his employees. In my short time here, we've introduced a new fleet of heavy duty trucks, with suspensions and transmissions capable of handling everything the Shale will throw our way. Each truck is fully-operational, capable of providing a host of different survey operations for crews who may be miles from the nearest office. Coupled with the tools to be successful, our crews make us aware of hazards and unsafe conditions they encounter to help us develop best practices and continuously improve the way we reduce risk and support them.

The Future of Dewberry in the Energy Market

The oil and gas market is hyper-reactive, where dozens of people need to be mobilized on short notice. We believe in our people and their ability to get the job done safely and by deadline. We have the capabilities, resources, and people to do this type of work.

For me, the opportunity in Pittsburgh is all about being part of the next great energy market and supporting a great company. Stepping up to this challenge has been a struggle at times, but the reward is worth the hard work. To those who would follow my lead, in this industry or others, I recommend this among all else: take your time, evaluate your situations, form lasting relationships and be excited about what you're about to do.