Coleen Johnson, Director of Geospatial

The October edition of the WGI Unleashed Podcast is officially here! Join us as we travel to Austin, Texas, to chat with Coleen Johnson, RPLS, WGI's Director of Geospatial.

Coleen's story is one of resilience, curiosity, and a lifelong passion for learning. From hand-drafting machine parts in Houston to leading cutting-edge geospatial teams at WGI, her journey proves that sometimes the best career paths are the ones you create yourself.

From Small-Town Roots to the Lone Star State

Coleen grew up in the rural town of Hannibal, New York, surrounded by rolling hills, dairy farms, and open skies. With four siblings, a farm-loving grandfather, and 21 acres to explore, she learned early on the value of hard work and curiosity.

After high school, uncertain about her next step, Coleen made a bold move—she packed her bags and headed to Houston, Texas, chasing opportunity (and maybe a little adventure). She landed a job at an oilfield manufacturing company, working in the warehouse under the blazing Houston sun.

Her dedication didn't go unnoticed. The company's owner brought her into the office to learn mechanical drafting by hand—pencil, vellum, and all. That moment changed everything. "It was fun," Coleen recalled. "And that's how I ended up getting into surveying eventually… through drafting."

Learning by Doing: The Path to Surveying

When the oil industry slowed, Coleen moved to Austin with an abundance of ambition but no real plan. She found work with a new civil engineering firm that needed a drafter, and not long after, the firm expanded to start a survey department. Coleen jumped at the chance to join, and from that moment, she was hooked.

Surveying turned out to be the perfect fit: a mix of math, mapping, and the great outdoors. While working full-time, she attended Austin Community College at night, earning her land surveying degree after several years of late nights and determination. By then, she was also a licensed professional surveyor—a huge milestone in a field she'd learned entirely on the job.

Her advice for others figuring out their path?

"It's okay not to know right away," Coleen says. "Figure out what you love first, then follow it. The rest will fall into place."

A Trailblazer for Women in Surveying

Coleen's career took her through just about every side of surveying imaginable. From private developments to public utilities, and even a stint at TxDOT and the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), where she surveyed electric transmission lines and the parks surrounding Lake Travis.

But her biggest achievements go beyond project work. In 2007, she became the first woman to serve as President of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors (TSPS)—a major milestone in a profession where women were once few and far between.

Today, she continues to pay it forward as a member of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES), mentoring others and shaping the future of the profession. "I love giving back to the field that gave me everything," she said.

Life at WGI: Leading with Vision and Innovation

Now celebrating her sixth year at WGI, Coleen leads t