MoreLeica Geosystems, San Ramon, Calif., changed the name of its Cyra Technologies Inc. subsidiary to Leica Geosystems HDS Inc. The name change reflects the integration of Cyra and Leica Geosystems and corresponds with Leica's redefinition of "3D laser scanning" as "High-Definition Surveying" or HDS.
The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) elected Kari J. Craun vice president for 2004; she will become president in 2006. Craun is chief of the U.S. Geological Survey's Mid-Continent Mapping Center in Rolla, Mo. Clifford J. Mugnier was elected assistant director for the Photogrammetric Applications Division. Mugnier is a member of the faculty at Louisiana State University (LSU), Department of Civil and Environment Engineering and is chief of geodesy at the LSU Center of GeoInformatics, New Orleans, La. Thomas R. Loveland was chosen as assistant director for the Remote Sensing Applications Division. Loveland is a research geographer for the USGS EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, S.D. Daniel J. Paulsen was elected assistant director for the Professional Practice Division. Paulsen serves as a geospatial project manager for Pacific Western Technologies, Albuquerque, N.M.
Benchmark Tool & Supply Inc., Raleigh, N.C., announced the grand opening of its new retail facility located at 533 Pylon Drive, Raleigh, N.C. In its showroom, Benchmark offers a versatile product line consisting of everything from stake tacks to RTK GPS Systems. A newly equipped service center provides state-of-the-art instrument repair and calibration services by trained technicians.
McKim & Creed, Wilmington, N.C., announced that Janet Jackson, GISP, and Alan Jacobson, PE, joined the company as GIS managers. Also new to McKim & Creed is Seth Swaim as GIS technician.
Portland Precision Instrument, Portland, Ore., changed its name to The PPI Group. Started in 1927 as an instrument supply company, the PPI Group now serves the needs of the design, engineering, surveying, architectural, construction and manufacturing industries.
Stewart International, Houston, Texas, formed a new land projects division led by director Tevfik Turel. The division works with municipal and national governments on developing real estate infrastructure, including land registry, cadastral mapping/GIS, and property taxation systems.
Sanborn, Colorado Springs, Colo., named Jay Tilley executive vice president of programs and products for the Colorado Springs office. Tilley is responsible for overseeing Sanborn's digital camera program as well as managing advanced product development and implementation for the company. Also, Sanborn named James Curtin vice president of business development and sales. In this newly-created position, Curtin is responsible for overseeing growth through business development and sales for Sanborn's Colorado office.
Precision Measurements Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., promoted Paul R. Simek, PLS, to Newport News area manager. Simek has more than 20 years of experience in the land surveying profession and previously served as a senior project manager.
Midwest Technical Consultants Inc., Naperville Ill., promoted Michael T. Ring, PLS, to vice president and partner. Ring is responsible for managing the firm's information systems, and as a project manager he oversees land development and houseline projects, and prepares land title and topographic surveys.
