
William E. Strange Jr.

West
Additionally, TPS announced the formation of a new survey business unit created to focus exclusively on the survey market and named Denny Welch as senior vice president and general manager. Welch is a 10-year Sokkia veteran and former vice president for Sokkia Corp. He reports directly to Ray O’Connor. Brice Walker is named vice president of survey and sales in the new business unit. Walker is a former regional sales manager with TDS, Nikon and Spectra Precision. The optical survey operations are relocated to Sokkia’s headquarters in Olathe, Kan.

Halttunen
Also, TPS named Mark Contino vice president of product marketing for Topcon’s five business units. Contino reports to Ray O’Connor. Contino continues to develop and expand the Topcon University training program. Topcon regional managers Joel Frost and Mark Larranaga and Sokkia regional manager Pat Moran are named senior regional sales managers covering the United States.
Merrick & Company, Aurora, Colo., hired Matt West, PLS, as director of surveying. In this role, West oversees the strategic expansion of Merrick’s surveying practice. His responsibilities include operational leadership, strategic planning, business development, technology innovation and career mentoring. West is a member of the American Wind Energy Association, Society of Military Engineers, National Society of Professional Surveyors and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping.

Osborne
Kuker-Ranken Inc., Seattle, hired Jason Halttunen as geomatics sales and support in the Washington and Northern Idaho territories. Formerly a Leica Geosystems regional representative, Halttunen has nearly 15 years of experience in the land surveying industry. He brings with him advanced knowledge of all Leica products.
James W. Sewall Co., Old Town, Maine, appointed Joseph H. Osborne to utilities solutions manager. Osborne brings 20 years of experience in GIS and related technology solutions for government and the utilities industry. He plays a strategic role in expanding Sewall’s traditional client base in utilities, including gas and electric distribution/transmission, water/wastewater and telecommunications.