The Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science (CBI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of three TAMU-CC alumni whose leadership and professional contributions were recognized at the 74th annual Texas Society of Professional Surveyors Convention & Tech Expo in San Antonio, Texas.
Miguel A. Escobar, LSLS, RPLS, named TSPS President
Miguel A. Escobar, ’01, has been named President of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors (TSPS) for the 2025-2026 term. With a surveying career spanning more than 30 years, Miguel possesses experience ranging from acreage boundary surveys to right-of-way and design surveys throughout Texas. Much of his work has centered on the land development industry and municipal projects.
A second-generation surveyor, Miguel holds a Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science (GIS) with an emphasis in Geomatics from TAMU-CC. He is Chief Surveyor and co-owner at Inland Geodetics, based in Round Rock, Texas.
He’s been a Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) since 2002 and a Licensed State Land Surveyor (LSLS) since 2011—one of only 58 in Texas to hold this distinction. He served for 6.5 years as an Adjunct Professor in the Land Surveying program at Austin Community College and continues to give back to his alma mater as a member of the Advisory Committee for TAMU-CC’s Geospatial Science program.
Miguel has been an active member of both the National Society of Professional Surveyors and TSPS, where he has held multiple leadership roles, presented numerous seminars and webinars, and earned recognition including the TSPS Young Surveyor of the Year Award in 2007.
Desireé Hurst, RPLS, PS, CFedS, honored with Vern Wayne Hanan Memorial Community Action Award
Desireé Hurst, ’10, has received the Vern Wayne Hanan Memorial Community Action Award from TSPS. Originating in 1988, the award recognizes an RPLS or an LSLS in Texas who demonstrates outstanding civic and educational contributions to their community, state, and profession.
A dedicated land surveyor with nearly 20 years of experience, Desireé’s career spans land development, oil and gas, and long linear route surveying. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from St. Mary’s University and a Master of Science in Geospatial Surveying Engineering from TAMU-CC.
Desireé is a Certified Federal Surveyor, and licensed in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Illinois. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including TSPS, where she was named TSPS Young Surveyor of the Year in 2022 and received the TSPS Presidential Award in 2023. Her commitment to the profession extends to education and outreach, collaborating with TSPS, TEA Region 11, Get Kids into Surveying, and others to inspire and mentor the next generation of surveyors and geospatial professionals. In 2024, Desireé was named a Conrad Blucher Chair for Excellence in Surveying, recognizing her expertise and contributions to the surveying profession.
Dr. Richard Smith, GISP, SIT, elected to TSPS Board of Directors
Dr. Richard Smith, '03, '06, Executive Director for the Conrad Blucher Institute, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors (TSPS). In this statewide directorship role, Dr. Smith will serve a three-year term and help advance the surveying profession.
A two-time Islander graduate, Dr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science and a Master of Science in Computer Science from TAMU-CC. Before assuming his current role as CBI Executive Director in 2022, he served the university from 2009 to 2017 as an Assistant Professor of Geographic Information Science and Geospatial Surveying Engineering (GSEN), Program Coordinator for both academic programs, and as a CBI Research Scientist.
During his early term at CBI, Dr. Smith founded the Spatial {Query} Lab, which played an instrumental role in digitizing key historical surveying records like the expansive Blucher Collection. He also founded CartoFusion Technologies, the first commercial company spun out of TAMU-CC.