As one of our core values, a growth mindset continually drives us both organizationally and personally to reach for excellence. As such, it is with great pleasure that C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates, L.L.C., announces that Andrew Titcomb, Advanced Technologies Director, has earned RPLS certification in the state of Texas.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Vermont, and a Land Surveying Certificate from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Andrew began his career in Surveying by working a summer with a land surveying company owned by a friend of his father’s. They took Andrew on full-time, and he spent the next six years doing land survey work before “stumbling” into laser scanning while transitioning to a new job with a different organization. His plans to earn his RPLS were put on hold.

There he discovered a great passion for laser scanning, reality capture work, and other cutting-edge technologies. At the time – the mid-2000s – very few companies had this capability, so Andrew traveled the U.S. performing laser scanning and working in regions where he had never been before – deeply fulfilling work for him.

When the company Andrew was with requested that he work temporarily out of their Houston office, Andrew jumped at the chance for a new experience. This proved a life-changing decision for him, as he met and married his wife of nine years and started a family with Houston as his new home base.

Andrew’s talent, skillset, and deep experience with laser scanning technology caught Fenstermaker’s eye, and he joined the team as Advanced Technologies Director in 2013, working out of our Houston office. He has been with us ever since.

The plan was always to go back and earn his RPLS certification; however, life and work kept him busy for several years. Eventually, Andrew put in the hours to earn his SIT (Surveyor in Training) status. Once the apprenticeship for that was complete, moving forward with his RPLS was a natural progression. This past May, Andrew passed the last milestone and achieved certification.

Travis Bodin, PLS, PMP, Vice President, Survey & Mapping, had this to say about Andrew’s achievement: “When it comes to professional development, our careers often take a back seat to our lives even though we work every day of the week. Three years ago, Andrew made the decision to progress his professional career forward and complete a journey that he started 15 years ago. By obtaining his RPLS, Andrew has proven that it is never too late to finish what you started. Congratulations on your accomplishment Andrew! We are lucky to have you here at Fenstermaker!”

Michael Marine, PMP, Operations Leader, Survey Office, also expressed his congratulations, saying: “Andrew has always been and will always be living in a growth mindset. I admire his dedication to the advancement of his career as well as his unwavering quest for his department’s growth. Congratulations!!”

Andrew points to an enormous amount of support and mentorship from the Fenstermaker team as being instrumental to his success in achieving RPLS designation. He also counts his wife and parents’ continual encouragement to never stop educating oneself as a key motivator. He shares their philosophy, saying, “I think for longevity, it’s smart for everyone [in the industry] to get their professional certification if they can.”

Andrew is already seeing the benefits of his status as RPLS certified, as he’s poised to begin work on new projects in his home state of Texas that will provide the continual challenges that he thrives on. After achieving RPLS certification in year 20 of his career, Andrew has this advice to offer others contemplating a similar achievement:

“I strongly encourage others to go for certification. It’s a lot easier than most people think. Just get through the application process. That’s the hardest part – just deciding to do it.”

Congratulations, Andrew! We’re proud to have you as a stellar team player and a brilliant example of a growth mindset.

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