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The Impact of interested in national land surveying outreach. His continued
dedication is evident as he now serves on the newly estab-
lished Trig-Star board and the Military Committee— “Veterans
Nevada Association Traversing to Surveying.”

New Roles and Continued Contributions
of Land Surveyors Heather Keenan has recently embraced the role of Nevada State
Trig-Star coordinator. Despite stepping down as the national sec-
retary for the Young Surveyors Network (YSN), Heather continues
On National to contribute at the national level, particularly as the social media
chair for YSN, highlighting her dual role in state coordination and
national communication efforts.
Committees Legislative Involvement and Policy Influence

The legislative engagement of NALS members is noteworthy.
Members of the Nevada Association of Land Surveyors (NALS) Nancy Almanzan has recommended Michael Detwiler, the cur-
are significantly shaping the future of the land surveying profes- rent Treasurer of NALS, and Robert Mooers, a NALS member, to
sion across the United States through their contributions to the join the Government Affairs Committee under Chair Mark Sar-
National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). These mem- gent. They are poised to contribute to discussions on the “Coun-
bers are not only participants but also leaders in various NSPS tering CCP Drones Act” (H.R.2864), which aims to amend the
committees, illustrating that influence and leadership within Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 by
these groups are not limited to just our NSPS directors. including specific equipment and services from DJI Technologies
in a list of communications equipment deemed untrustworthy.

Local Commitment, National Impact You Can Do It, Too!
NALS members are actively involved both locally and nationally,
affirming that there is a committee for everyone’s passion—you The contributions of NALS members like Nancy, Trent, Robert,
just need to be engaged. This proactive involvement is essential, Jason, etc., to national committees are invaluable. They represent
as it allows members to apply their expertise to areas where the high standards and dedication of Nevada’s land surveying
they are most passionate, thereby contributing to broader goals professionals and significantly contribute to shaping the educa-
while fulfilling personal interests. tional landscape and professional standards of land surveyors
nationally. Their efforts ensure that the land surveying profession
remains dynamic, relevant, and responsive to the future’s chal-
Leadership Across Borders lenges and opportunities. Are you next? Contact Nancy or Crissy
Nancy Almanzan, a past president of NALS and the current NSPS to find out how you can get more involved! Everyone’s contact
information can be found in this edition’s Who’s Who section.
director for Nevada, exemplifies outstanding leadership for all
of us in Nevada. Nancy plays a crucial role in casting votes for all
official NSPS business representing NALS members. Her influ-
ence also extends to the NSPS Foundation committee along with
Brett Jefferson, where they manage substantial funds and select
recipients for annual scholarships, demonstrating the significant
impact of Nevada’s land surveyors on national initiatives.

Additionally, Nancy Almanzan has been invited to collaborate
with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Sur-
veying (NCEES) in developing a Public Land Survey System (PLSS)
module for the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam.
This new initiative aims to streamline the exam process for juris-
dictions requiring such an assessment by potentially removing
state-specific content.

Developing the new PLSS module is a team effort, with Nancy
Almanzan starting the process earlier this year. However, later
this year, Robert Carrington and Jason Higgins will join her in the
exam writing process, lending their expertise to ensure the mod-
ule meets modern land surveying practices. Their involvement
will be crucial in aligning the exam with modern land surveying
professional standards and requirements.

Trent Keenan, another past president of NALS, has taken the
helm of the NSPS Workforce Development Committee since
the Spring 2024 meetings. Trent played a key role in crafting
the “Outreach 101” documents, a pivotal resource for those

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