{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Coleen Johnson, Director of Geospatial","description":"The October edition of the WGI Unleashed Podcast is officially here! Join us as we travel to Austin, Texas, to chat with Coleen Johnson, RPLS, WGI\u2019s Director of Geospatial. Coleen\u2019s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and a lifelong passion for learning. From hand-drafting machine parts in Houston to leading cutting-edge geospatial teams at WGI, her journey proves that sometimes the best career paths are the ones you create yourself. From Small-Town Roots to the Lone Star State Coleen grew up in the rural town of Hannibal, New York, surrounded by rolling hills, dairy farms, and open skies. With four siblings, a farm-loving grandfather, and 21 acres to explore, she learned early on the value of hard work and curiosity. After high school, uncertain about her next step, Coleen made a bold move\u2014she packed her bags and headed to Houston, Texas, chasing opportunity (and maybe a little adventure). She landed a job at an oilfield manufacturing company, working in the warehouse under the blazing Houston sun. Her dedication didn\u2019t go unnoticed. The company\u2019s owner brought her into the office to learn mechanical drafting by hand\u2014pencil, vellum, and all. That moment changed everything. \u201cIt was fun,\u201d Coleen recalled. \u201cAnd that\u2019s how I ended up getting into surveying eventually\u2026 through drafting.\u201d Learning by Doing: The Path to Surveying When the oil industry slowed, Coleen moved to Austin with an abundance of ambition but no real plan. She found work with a new civil engineering firm that needed a drafter, and not long after, the firm expanded to start a survey department. Coleen jumped at the chance to join, and from that moment, she was hooked. Surveying turned out to be the perfect fit: a mix of math, mapping, and the great outdoors. While working full-time, she attended Austin Community College at night, earning her land surveying degree after several years of late nights and determination. By then, she was also a licensed professional surveyor\u2014a huge milestone in a field she\u2019d learned entirely on the job. Her advice for others figuring out their path? \u201cIt\u2019s okay not to know right away,\u201d Coleen says. \u201cFigure out what you love first, then follow it. The rest will fall into place.\u201d A Trailblazer for Women in Surveying Coleen\u2019s career took her through just about every side of surveying imaginable. From private developments to public utilities, and even a stint at TxDOT and the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), where she surveyed electric transmission lines and the parks surrounding Lake Travis. But her biggest achievements go beyond project work. In 2007, she became the first woman to serve as President of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors (TSPS)\u2014a major milestone in a profession where women were once few and far between. Today, she continues to pay it forward as a member of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES), mentoring others and shaping the future of the profession. \u201cI love giving back to the field that gave me everything,\u201d she said. Life at WGI: Leading with Vision and Innovation Now celebrating her sixth year at WGI, Coleen leads the Geospatial division in Austin\u2014managing teams, securing contracts, and helping shape how WGI captures and analyzes data across the country. She even landed WGI\u2019s first TxDOT Austin District contract, a major win for both her team and the firm. Her role is fast-paced and constantly evolving. \u201cTechnology has changed tremendously,\u201d she says. \u201cWe\u2019ve gone from hand-drawing on Mylar to laser scanning, drones, and LiDAR. That\u2019s what I love about this field\u2014it\u2019s never monotonous. There\u2019s always something new to learn.\u201d And Mondays at her office? They start with a safety meeting and breakfast tacos, of course. Life Outside the Grid When she\u2019s not overseeing survey crews or reviewing proposals, Coleen enjoys the quiet life on her two-acre property outside Leander, where she lives with her husband and three rescue Dobermans\u2014Prada, Ruby, and Cooper. She\u2019s a passionate gardener, cultivating flowers, herbs, and vegetables in raised beds. \u201cTaking care of the yard is actually therapeutic,\u201d she says. \u201cI love mowing, trimming, and just being outside\u2014it\u2019s my kind of peace.\u201d A creative at heart, Coleen even sewed her own clothes growing up, a skill passed down from her grandmother, a 4-H teacher for 60 years. She credits that upbringing for her independence, creativity, and love of hands-on work. A Legacy of Leadership Coleen\u2019s story is one of grit, gratitude, and growth. From learning drafting by hand to leading a team of geospatial experts, she\u2019s built a career defined by curiosity and love for what she does. As for what keeps her excited about coming into work every day? \u201cThe people,\u201d she said without hesitation. \u201cI love working with our teams, mentoring others, and watching them grow. That\u2019s what makes it all worth it.\u201d Tune In This episode is packed with moments that showcase Coleen\u2019s curiosity, grit, and passion for her craft - So, tune in, and as always, stay curious, stay driven, and keep unleashing your full potential! Visit your favorite podcast app now and subscribe to\u202fWGI Unleashed to receive alerts every time a new episode drops. You can find us on Spotify,\u202fApple Podcasts,\u202fiHeart Radio,\u202for wherever you find your favorite podcasts. ","author_name":"WGI Unleashed","author_url":"https:\/\/wginc.com","html":"