Texas Survey July 2025 - Flipbook - Page 37
Isidro X. Garza, R.P.L.S.
FEATURED MEMBER
How/Why did you get into surveying?
Why did you join TSPS?
My journey in this Industry began in the early 90’s. My
father introduced me to one of his friends, Trevor Carnegie,
who happened to own a small business named Trevor
Carnegie & Associates and they were a stand-alone land
surveying firm, based out of Spring, Texas. Their focus was
primarily on commercial land surveying and infrastructure
projects.
Thanks to having such an amazing group of mentors such as
Trevor Carnegie, RPLS, Patrick Fox, RPLS, and Larry
King, Sr., Crew Chief, I began as an entry level field
position and methodically worked my way up to instrument
operator and eventually crew chief. Each one of them took
the time to take me under their wing and share their
collective industry knowledge with me. Though my time
here was only a few years, it proved to be some of the most
impactful years of teaching me sound fundamentals and
principles of field procedures and data collection.
It was through my employment here that I also met Ivor
Walker (TxDOT Houston – Survey Supervisor), for the first
time. Both Trevor and Ivor were good friends and listening
to both of these Jamaicans cut up and laugh, was always a
treat!
Several years later, I temporarily left the workforce to earn
my bachelor’s degree in GIS-Geomatics from Texas A&M
University – Corpus Christi.
I joined TSPS after many years of complaining about issues
impacting our industry but always sitting on the sidelines
and not actively participating. I finally convinced myself
that I needed to get involved to have a voice.
It is always easy to remain on the sidelines and let others
decide policies and the direction of our industry. For me, I
hit a stage in my career that I felt obligated to dive in and be
an active voice in helping to positively impact our
profession.
I was pleasantly surprised to have found many like-minded
industry colleagues who had been donating their time and
energy to TSPS as well. We happen to practice in such a
dynamic and broad industry that requires evolving policies
and regulations. I learned there is no better way to impact
change than through being actively engaged in our society!
What do you gain or hope to gain from TSPS?
Being actively engaged at TSPS serves many purposes. But
the two that I feel have made the most impression on me are
being able to contribute to positive change and meeting
some of the most dynamic surveyors who have turned out to
be lifelong friends!
I have personally served as TSPS Gulf Coast Chapter 9
Director, VP and President. I have also served at the state
level as Director and University Education Chair. I did not
realize how easy it is to reach out and just plug yourself into
the TSPS network by joining committees. There is so much
work to be done and TSPS is always looking for great
people to step up and bring fresh perspectives and energy to
the society.
Regarding the networking, as I mentioned earlier, I had no
idea that by becoming active, it was going to astronomically
grow my network of industry friends and champions. Every
meeting, symposium and convention that I attend, my
network continues to grow as I meet new friends. These
friends are people that will support you throughout the state
and will advocate for you! Networking has and will continue
to be one of the biggest benefits of being a TSPS Member.
What is your most memorable surveying moment?
I have two that immediately come to mind.
First, when my wife, Meredith, and brother, Timo, and I
launched our business Gratia Geomatics in January of 2020.
We launched two months prior to COVID hitting our world
and had absolutely no idea what was coming in two short
months. Despite the pandemic changing our world and
business as we knew it, we were able to grow from four
employees to just under thirty employees today. The reason
that this is a memorable moment for us is that we now have
the opportunity to mentor and pass on our years of industry
knowledge to all our employees. To be able to pay it forward
is only fitting, as my original mentors took the time to pass
on their industry knowledge to me.
Second, the launching of the Klein ISD Geospatial
Engineering & Land Surveying Program. Being instrumental
in helping to create a program that begins developing a new
talent pool of high school students that will begin feeding one
of our industries critical issues of sustainability. Working
with the high school students on Fridays throughout the
semester, has got to be one of the most gratifying feelings!
Knowing that we are personally and actively involved in
developing a talent pool for all our industry continues to be a
favorite for me.
Favorites:
Color: Maroon
Musicians: I love music, and
my favorite depends on my
mood for each day! Lol.
Food: Mexican food
Animal: Horses
Hobby: Baseball & Softball
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