Trimble, Sunnyvale, Calif., entered into definitive agreements to acquire the assets of RolleiMetric from Rollei GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany, and to acquire TopoSys GmbH, Biberach an der Riss, Germany, in all-cash transactions. RolleiMetric is a leading provider of metric camera systems for aerial imaging and terrestrial close-range photogrammetry. Tobias Toelg and the staff of RolleiMetric join Trimble as part of the Engineering and Construction segment. TopoSys is a leading provider of aerial data collection systems comprising LiDAR and metric cameras. Both transactions are anticipated to close in the fourth quarter and are subject to certain conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Topcon Positioning Systems Inc. (TPS), Livermore, Calif., implemented a new business-unit structure in September to provide greater market focus, market-responsive product management, expansion capability, and added opportunities for customers, distributors and employees. Mick Yamazaki is chief operating officer (COO) of the new structure. Yamazaki retains his executive vice president title and continues to head up manufacturing operations. As COO, he oversees sales support, marketing services, human resources, information technology and legal services. The leaders of the four new business units are: Jamie Williamson, senior vice president and general manager, Survey and Construction; Eduardo Falcon, senior vice president and general manager, Emerging Business (GIS, network, mobile); David Vaughn, senior vice president and general manager, Precision Agriculture; and Mark Bittner, senior vice president and general manager, Telematics.

SURVCON INC., Houston, named Hugh W. Clarkson, RPLS, as a principal assigned to its Houston office. Clarkson has more than 40 years of land surveying experience, including 17 years as a director of surveying. He is a past director of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors.

Kuker-Ranken Inc., Seattle, hired Kristopher Hartwell as general manager of its Tacoma location.

F. Robert Bell and Associates (FRBA), Anchorage, Alaska, announced that senior surveyor and lead civil engineer Craig Shavlik, PE, PLS, passed the Alaska registration test to become a professional land surveyor. Shavlik has more than eight years of engineering and surveying experience with FRBA.

KPFF Consulting Engineers, Portland, Ore., named Danny Denning, PLS, as an associate and survey project manager. Denning works with KPFF’s engineering disciplines and outside design consultants to ensure quality control in base map preparation and coordinates post-design construction staking. He has been with KPFF since 1998 and has 18 years of experience.

Also, KPFF Consulting Engineers hired Tod Kelso, PLS, as survey manager. Kelso has 18 years of experience in all aspects of land surveying, including topographic, boundary, construction verification, and research. He specializes in right-of-way determination and topographic surveys, residential and commercial subdivisions, ALTA/ACSM surveys and legal descriptions.

Additionally, KPFF Consulting Engineers hired Jennifer Steven, LSIT, as a survey technician. Steven supports a wide range of survey projects, including public works projects and residential and commercial development.

KAPPA Mapping Inc., Bangor, Maine, announced that Vice President Stevenson W. Sheppard, PLS, obtained his professional land surveyor license in Pennsylvania. Sheppard has been a licensed professional land surveyor in Maine for almost 20 years.

Also, KAPPA Mapping INC. announced that Sean Gambrel has joined the staff as a full-time mapping analyst. Gambrel had been working part time for KAPPA Mapping since October 2006.

Gould Engineering Inc., Flint, Mich., announced that Geric Rose, PS, PE, successfully completed the testing for his professional engineering license. A staff member since 1997, Rose provides professional services in the discipline areas of transportation planning and engineering, recreational designs, land development engineering, and stormwater runoff management plan engineering. He is also survey operations coordinator.

Merrick & Co., Aurora, Colo., appointed David A. Sprenkle, PE, to chief operating officer (COO). Sprenkle is responsible for overseeing the accomplishment of the firm’s $75 million annual portfolio of professional services. Sprenkle has twice served on the firm’s board of directors for a total of 18 years and is currently a senior vice president with the company.


Associate Editor Wendy Lyons compiles “Turning Points.” Contact her at 248/786-1620 or lyonsw@bnpmedia.