18 Header The Oregon Surveyor | Vol. 47, No. 6 Member Spotlight access to places most people rarely if ever get to see. Kowalski’s passion for the outdoors extends far beyond his professional life. An avid hiker, biker, and skier, he makes it a point to spend time in nature every day. “I am out in the woods with our dogs every single day,” he says. “There is not a day that goes by that I’m not out on a trail, and that’s super important to me.” This love for the outdoors recently led him on a two-and-a-half-week vacation to Norway, where he and his wife, Annie, hiked through the scenic landscapes of Oslo and Bergen, and explored the rugged terrain of the Lofoten archipelago. As an active member of the PLSO, Kowalski is committed to advancing the surveying profession. He has been instrumental in organizing drone-related talks at PLSO’s annual conferences and is set to become the president of PLSO’s Central Chapter in 2025. Looking ahead, Kowalski is excited about new initiatives to educate surveyors about drone technology. He’s organized the first ever PLSO Drone Mapping Symposium, which happened October 11 at Lane Community College, and offered both lectures and hands-on flying demonstrations. “We haven’t had an opportunity to actually fly some drones to do demos during the annual conference,” Kowalski explains. “This symposium will allow us to have a day dedicated to everything drone mapping, including afternoon flights and equipment demonstrations.” Through his work and volunteer efforts, Josh Kowalski continues to map out new possibilities for the surveying profession. He bridges the gap between traditional surveying methods and cutting-edge technology, all while maintaining a deep connection to the great outdoors. His journey from GIS student to vineyard manager to innovative surveyor showcases the diverse paths that can lead to a fulfilling career in geospatial sciences. There is not a day that goes by that I’m not out on a trail, and that’s super important to me. Josh, Annie, Mabel, and Stella (right to left) hiking near Mt. Shasta, California. Josh hiking through the slot canyons during a 19-mile “top down” through hike in the Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah. Josh setting aerial targets in preparation of a UAS flight of a landslide in Skagway, Alaska. continued
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