3/29/2006
Highway surveyor receives award from professional society
RIGBY - Rayce Ruiz of Idaho Falls has been named Surveyor of the Year by the Idaho Society of Professional Land Surveyors (ISPLS), the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
Ruiz, who works in the Location Section of the Idaho Transportation Department for District 6 in Rigby, received the award March 2 during the ISPLS conference in Boise. He was chosen by the ISPLS board at its December meeting.
Members of the Eastern Section nominated Ruiz for the award in recognition of his diligence as the section director and for the following achievements:
- Being instrumental in establishing Continuously Operating Reference Stations in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Driggs. He also promoted the use of CORS throughout southeastern Idaho. These stations will be beneficial in allowing surveyors to keep up with rapidly evolving technology.
- Being the driving force in moving and re-establishing the Idaho Falls calibration baseline for National Geological Survey.
- Serving as an advisor to the survey program at Idaho State University.
Ruiz is a graduate of Skyline High School in Idaho Falls. He continued his education at Idaho State University, Eastern Idaho Vo-Tech, University of Idaho and Boise State University. He holds two associate degrees (applied science and civil engineering technology) and a bachelors degree in applied technology.
From 1981 through 1985, he worked for the Wyoming Highway Department as a construction inspector, and on the photo and survey crew.
Since 1986, he has been employed at the Idaho Transportation Department, holding positions as construction inspector, resident office manager, land surveyor in training and currently, District 6 land surveyor.
Photo available on request.