Event Details

NCSS is partnering with the Nantahala Chapter to present this seminar.

Location: Southwestern Community College, Burrell Building 447, College Drive, Sylva, NC 28779

Registration begins at 7:30 am with coffee and breakfast, and class concludes at 4:30pm. Breakfast and Lunch are included.

Topics:

8:00am - 12:00pm Board Case Studies ( Ethics 2 PDHs & Standards of Practice 2 PDHs)  by Mike Benton

This presentation will take an in-depth look at several actual Board cases to see what went wrong resulting in a complaint being filed with the Board of Examiners.  We will discuss the facts of the case and analyze what the licensee could or should have done differently that may have avoided the complaint. Topics covered during this presentation will be ethics, standards of practice, how to protect the public, and the best ways to avoid a complaint.

This will provide ethics and standards of practice PDHs for two years. Please keep in mind that if you carry over one hour of each, then you will need to exceed the annual requirement of 15 PDHs by 2 additional hours for the current year. Please see FAQ’s at the Board site. https://www.ncbels.org/continuing-education/individuals/#faqs

1:00pm-4:30pm Introduction to AI in Surveying by Doug Suttles

This session demystifies artificial intelligence for surveying professionals, explaining core concepts like machine learning, natural language processing, and automation in terms relevant to the surveying field. Discover practical day-to-day applications, including using AI for report writing, data analysis, client communications, research assistance, and streamlining routine administrative tasks that consume valuable billable hours. Learn what the new board rules specify regarding the use of AI in professional surveying practice, including ethical considerations, liability issues, and requirements for human oversight and verification of AI-assisted work. Finally, explore how to collaborate with AI to develop custom tools for your practice, such as automated calculation spreadsheets, standardized report templates, deed research assistants, and workflow automation systems tailored to your specific needs.

Instructors:

Richard M. (Mike) Benton, PLS, was born and raised in Goldsboro, NC. He graduated from Eastern Wayne High School in 1976 and attended the college transfer program at Wayne Community College from 1976 to 1978. He graduated from Coastal Carolina Community College with an AAS degree in Surveying Technology in 1982. In 1991, after living and working several years in Greenville, NC, Mike moved back home to Goldsboro and established Benton & Associates Land Surveying and Mapping, PA. Mike has been an active member of the North Carolina Society of Surveyors (NCSS) since 1991, serving as the chairman of the Formal Education Committee from 1993-2000, President of NCSS in 2003, and the North Carolina Delegate to the Board of Governors for the National Society of Professional Surveyors from 2008-2013. On November 06, 2012, Mike was appointed by Governor Beverly Perdue to serve on the Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors

Doug Suttles, PLS
Doug Suttles assumed leadership of Suttles Surveying in 2016, but began his career in 1990 after obtaining an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Surveying Technology from Coastal Carolina Community College. He has been involved with surveying since 1986, and his expertise includes data management and output from AutoCAD and various software packages, as well as information technology management. Doug has served as a Council member of the North Carolina Electronic Recordation Council for 15+ years, as well as being a member of the following associations and boards. The North Carolina Society of Surveyors (Foothills Chapter President), Director of the North Carolina Society of Surveyors Education Foundation, Member of Western Piedmont Community College Advisory Panel, Member of the North Carolina Society of Surveyors Education Enhancement Committee, Chairman of the McDowell County Utility Coordinator Council (UCC), and is the co-chairman of the Burke/Caldwell Utilities Coordination Committee.