Immerse Yourself in Surveying Excellence: Join Ben Thomson, R.P.L.S., L.S.L.S, P.E. and David A. Vilbig, P.E. R.P.L.S. at the 23rd Annual Kerrville Fall Conference

Are you passionate about land surveying and eager to expand your knowledge in this field? Mark your calendars for Friday, September 29th, and Saturday, September 30th, as the picturesque town of Kerrville, Texas, plays host to the 23rd Annual Kerrville Fall Conference. Presented by Hill Country Land Surveyors Seminars, this event promises to be a milestone in your professional journey.

Surveying Essentials Seminar:

The main highlights of this conference is the Surveying Essentials Seminar—an interactive 12-hour session that spans both Friday and Saturday. This seminar is carefully designed to equip you with essential knowledge and skills in the field of land surveying. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, there’s something here for everyone.

Comprehensive Curriculum:

The Surveying Essentials Seminar covers a wide range of topics crucial for any land surveyor. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect:

  1. Ethics Hour: Ensuring professional integrity is a cornerstone of any successful surveyor’s career. This seminar will dedicate at least one hour to explore ethical considerations, emphasizing the importance of honesty, transparency, and accountability in your work.
  2. Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Rules: Understanding the rules and regulations governing your profession is paramount. Spend quality time delving into the intricacies of these rules to ensure you’re always in compliance.
  3. Texas Land Surveying Practices Act: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Texas Land Surveying Practices Act, a crucial aspect of your work as a surveyor. This knowledge will empower you to navigate complex legal and regulatory issues with confidence.

Interactive Learning:

Learning is most effective when it’s engaging and interactive. The Surveying Essentials Seminar incorporates various teaching methods, including lectures, workshops, and interative discussions. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your newfound knowledge in practical scenarios, enhancing your skills and boosting your confidence.

Networking and Community:

Apart from the invaluable knowledge you’ll gain, this conference provides an excellent platform for networking. Connect with fellow land surveyors, share experiences, and build professional relationships that can last a lifetime. The sense of community in events like these is truly inspiring.

Save the Dates:

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to elevate your surveying career. Mark your calendars for Friday, September 29th, and Saturday, September 30th. The 23rd Annual Kerrville Fall Conference promises to be a transformative experience, packed with knowledge, networking, and professional growth.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Kerrville for this unforgettable event!

Kerville Kroc Center
201 Holdsorth Drive
Kerrville, Texas

More details and registration information is availble in the seminar flier.

Meet the Presenters:

Ben Thomson R.P.L.S., L.S.L.S., P.E.
Ben is a graduate of Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering degree, Class of ‘59. He has been active in the surveying and engineering professions since 1960. Dates of licensure include R.P.L.S.- 1965, P.E. – 1967, and L.S.L.S. – 1971. He is also a licensed surveyor in Colorado. Prior to being employed by the Texas General Land Office (GLO). he was active in surveying and engineering in all phases of land development. Subsequently he was with TxDOT for several years preparing right of way maps and highway plans and supervising all phases of highway construction. Entering full time private practice in surveying and engineering in 1972 he worked in many areas of the state and was a frequent researcher in the records of the GLO. He was employed at the GLO in March of 1988 and became Director of Surveying in September of that year, a position he held for 18 years. He was promoted to Senior Land Surveyor in September of 2006 and retained that position until retirement in 2008. His 20 years of experience at the GLO included supervision and performance of survey work on state lands with substantial work on littoral and riparian boundaries, assessment, review, and retracement of state land boundaries, review of private survey work submitted to the state for various purposes, extensive gradient boundary experience on streams throughout the state, assessment and handling of vacant land and excess land matters, court appearances on boundary litigation, and extensive research in the records of the GLO. Since retiring from the GLO he has returned to the full time practice of surveying and engineering at his office in Junction. He holds the distinction of being the longest serving member of the Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying, serving from 1977 to 2006. He is a life member of TSPS and served on its Board of Directors 1973-1980. He has served on the surveying exam committee of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying since 1990 and chaired that committee for one year.

David A. Vilbig, P.E., R.P.L.S.
David is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering degree in 1977. He became licensed as a Registered Professional Land Surveyor (No. 3989) – Texas in 1981 and a Registered Professional Engineer (No. 67207) – Texas in 1990. He is also a Registered Professional Engineer in Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri and Oklahoma, and on the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. David is a Managing Member of Vilbig & Associates, P.L.L.C. and is directly responsible for the firm’s engineering and surveying operations. Likewise, he presides over the management of business matters of the company. David founded the company in 1981and continues to play a hands-on role in the growth and development of the firm. David’s career reflects over 30 years of professional land surveying and civil engineering experience in connection with airport, military and civil public works projects, as well as corporate land development activities for residential, commercial and industrial projects. His diversified experience encompasses large scale residential and apartment developments, including shopping centers and industrial parks. David was appointed by Governor Clements to the Texas Board of Professional Land Surveyors (1989-1994) and was former vice chairman. He was also appointed to the Advisory Committee for Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi-Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science. His technical presentations include Land Law Conferences of Texas with James Johnson (2002 and 2006), Texas Society of Professional Engineers Annual Conference with James Johnson (2006), Texas Society of Professional Surveyors Technical Presentation-Annual Conference (2011), and Hill Country Land Surveyors Seminar with Ben Thomson (2022).