Geotechnical Registered Engineer

What NV5 Global, Inc. is looking forward to at Esri UC 2026. Every year, the Esri User Conference brings together thousands of geospatial professionals to explore new technologies, share ideas, and learn how organizations are solving complex challenges with GIS. For many members of the NV5 team, attending Esri UC is an annual tradition. Some have attended for more than 15 years. Others will be experiencing the conference for the very first time. Together, their perspectives offer an interesting snapshot of where the geospatial industry has been and where it's headed next. From mapping technology to enterprise decision-making. One theme emerged consistently across its team: geospatial technology has evolved far beyond maps. "When I first started attending, explaining what GIS was could be difficult. Today, nearly every industry is using geospatial technology in some way." Mark Congdon NV5 Director of Asset Management Solutions That shift is reflected not only in who uses GIS, but in how it's used. What was once considered a specialized technical discipline has become an essential platform for operational awareness, planning, asset management, infrastructure resiliency, and enterprise decision making. As Cherie Tyrrell, Senior Manager of Account Management, notes, GIS, remote sensing, and analytics have become increasingly interconnected, helping organizations develop a richer operational picture and make decisions faster and with greater confidence. AI will be everywhere, but practicality matters. If there's one topic expected to dominate conversations at this year's conference, it's AI. From GeoAI and agent-based systems to deep learning and workflow automation, AI continues to reshape how organizations work with geospatial data. But the conversations have matured. Customers are no longer asking whether AI is important. They're asking how to apply it effectively. "Customers are definitely AI-curious, but they're approaching it thoughtfully. They're looking for ways to automate repetitive tasks, accelerate analysis, and improve workflows while keeping humans firmly in the loop." Cherie Tyrrell Senior Manager of Account Management "What does AI in geospatial really mean? How is your company using AI? Does it replace jobs or improve efficiency?" Joey Griebel Software Account Executive, NV5 Geospatial Software For NV5, the focus remains on practical implementation and helping organizations connect AI capabilities to real operational outcomes. The challenge isn't more data, it's connecting what you already have. While AI may be generating the headlines, many organizations continue to face a more fundamental challenge: turning existing data into actionable intelligence. Across industries, teams are struggling with disconnected systems, siloed workflows, and fragmented information. "Many customers are trying to connect siloed data and workflows. The challenge isn't collecting more data; it's turning existing data into actionable intelligence that can be used across the organization." Cherie Tyrrell Senior Manager of Account Management "The technology exists. But bringing everything together in a connected workflow often seems to be the bigger challenge." Meg Dobson Attending her first Esri UC Whether the discussion is asset management, digital twins, engineering workflows, AI, or enterprise GIS, the goal remains the same: connecting people, data, and processes to support better decisions. The rise of 3D, digital twins, and operational outcomes. Several members of its team expect growing interest in 3D asset management, BIM integration, digital twins, and connected operational environments. According to Congdon, organizations are increasingly moving beyond traditional 2D mapping and embracing 3D representations of assets and facilities. These approaches make inspections, maintenance, work orders, and operational planning more intuitive and effective. At the same time, Steve Mulberry, Geospatial Innovations Strategist, believes the industry's focus should remain on outcomes. "Operational outcomes are what we should all be focused on and let the technology and data help us get there." Steve Mulberry Geospatial Innovations Strategist Why NV5 Global, Inc. keep coming back. For all the excitement around emerging technology, the most common answer to one question was surprisingly simple: What are you most looking forward to at Esri UC? The answer wasn't AI. It was people. Reconnecting with customers. Meeting new partners. Learning from peers. Sharing ideas. Building relationships. For many on its team, that's what makes Esri UC special. "The technology is always exciting, but the relationships are one of the things that make Esri UC special year after year." Cherie Tyrrell Senior Manager of Account Management "Connecting is the most important activity for the UC. The technology changes. The relationships are lasting." Steve Mulberry Geospatial Innovations Strategist Let's Connect at Esri UC. Every year, the Esri User Conference brings together thousands of geospatial professionals to explore new technologies, share ideas, and learn how organizations are solving complex challenges with GIS. For many members of the NV5 team, attending Esri UC is an annual tradition. Some have attended for more than 15 years. Others will be experiencing the conference for the very first time. Together, their perspectives offer an interesting snapshot of where the geospatial industry has been and where it's headed next.

Haxtun School District breaks ground on unified PK-12 campus. Press play to listen to this content The redesigned campus will improve wayfinding and strengthen connections between grade levels while creating dedicated spaces for early childhood education, special education and sensory-support programs. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wold Architects & Engineers. * Haxtun School District RE-2J marked the start of construction May 13 on a renovation and addition project to unify its PK-12 campus. * The project follows several years of planning and is funded through a bond election and a Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant awarded in May 2025. * Work includes reorganizing classrooms and support spaces, safety and operational upgrades, and new/repurposed nutrition and athletics areas. * Plans also call for replacing the district's 1956 vocational agriculture building with a new facility supporting multiple agricultural programs. * Construction is expected to be completed in July 2027 with Wold Architects and Engineers, Bryan Construction and NV5 partnering on the project. HAXTUN, Colo. - Haxtun School District RE-2J has begun construction on a renovation and addition project designed to unify its prekindergarten through 12th-grade campus and update learning spaces. District officials, staff, students and community members gathered May 13 for a groundbreaking ceremony following several years of planning and a funding package built on a successful bond election and a BEST grant award in May 2025. Superintendent Aron Jones said the project is intended to create a more connected campus that supports student learning and collaboration. "Our goal has always been to provide the best possible learning environment for our students," said Superintendent Aron Jones. "By bringing our students and programs together in a more organized, connected environment, we're creating a school that better supports learning, collaboration and day-to-day success." The project scope includes reshaping spaces that district officials said have been fragmented by multiple additions over time. Early childhood and kindergarten classrooms will be consolidated with improved access to playgrounds, while special education and sensory spaces will be grouped together. The redesigned campus will improve wayfinding and strengthen connections between grade levels while creating dedicated spaces for early childhood education, special education and sensory-support programs. The project also prioritizes safety through a more secure main entry sequence and improved organization of high-activity spaces such as athletics and physical education. A significant feature of the project includes repurposing the existing elementary gym into a centralized cafeteria serving the entire PK-12 population. In addition, the district will construct a new auxiliary gym with expanded seating and improved access to locker rooms and outdoor athletic facilities. Career and technical education is another focus. The district plans to replace its 1956 vocational agriculture building with a new facility intended for agricultural mechanics, welding, animal science and crop science programs. Construction is expected to conclude in July 2027. Wold Architects and Engineers partnered with Bryan Construction and owner's representative NV5 to design and deliver the project, which will consolidate previously fragmented facilities into a more connected and student-centered campus. This article is based on reporting originally published by ColoradoBiz on May 14, 2026, and information posted by Haxtun School District RE-2J.