2025 RSB CLSA President Jim Drenon (JD), PLS, RPLS
Hello, fellow Surveyors,
As your 2025 President for the Riverside/San Bernardino Chapter, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself.
I grew up in Rialto, in the heart of the Inland Empire, where I was born and raised as a California native. Like many of you, I didn’t originally plan on becoming a surveyor. My journey into the profession began in 1977 when a former co-worker and friend, who had been hired by the Riverside County Survey Department, shared how much he enjoyed the work and the projects he was involved in. It piqued my interest, and I thought, That sounds like a great job.
At the time, I was studying Geology at San Bernardino Valley College but soon transitioned to Surveying courses. In 1979, I applied for a position with the Riverside County Survey Department and was hired. I spent eight years there before transitioning to the private sector in 1987, where I gained valuable experience. Over the years, I earned my Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license in California and Idaho, as well as my Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) certification in Texas. My last position was with Rail Surveyors and Engineers, from which I retired in May 2024.
I have been a proud member of CLSA since 1988, previously serving as Chapter President and as a Member-at-Large for the State Chapter for two years. After living in Texas for a time following my wife’s passing, I returned to California. Upon my return, Dennis Janda invited me to serve as Chapter President once again, and I am honored to do so.
As President, I am committed to continuing the Bill Young Memorial Golf Tournament, which will once again take place at Menifee Lakes Country Club on September 29. Additionally, I aim to expand our student outreach efforts, particularly with Cal Poly Pomona Geomatics students, and to enhance scholarship opportunities. Most importantly, I want to see our membership grow and thrive.
I am fortunate to have a fantastic team of officers on our Board, and I look forward to working alongside them to make our chapter one we can all be proud of. If you have any questions or suggestions, I encourage you to bring them forward at our meetings throughout the year. I look forward to seeing you at our next Chapter meeting.
Special Guest Speakers: John Topoleski, PLS, CFedS, Supervising Land Surveyor with the San Bernardino County Surveyor’s Office, and Ryan Hunsicker, PLS (San Bernardino County Surveyor), will be our guest presenters
Presentation Topic:“AN INNACCESSIBLE MONUMENT…. OR SO WE THOUGHT“
Join us as John will be sharing a recent collaborative effort led by himself, Alex Schlangen, PLS, and supported by 20 members of the Del Rosa Hotshots. Together, they took on the challenging task of recovering the East One-Quarter Corner of Section 9, Township 1 North, Range 2 West, San Bernardino Meridian (T.1N., R.2W., S.B.M.)—a monument long considered “inaccessible” since 1990.
Their presentation will walk us through the team’s process in confirming both the position and condition of this vital survey marker, offering a fascinating look into the precision, collaboration, and determination behind maintaining the integrity of San Bernardino County’s survey records.
Please come out, enjoy a good meal, connect with fellow professionals, and hear firsthand about this remarkable recovery effort. All are welcome!
Remember to RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP for both Chapter and State. Below you will find links for the renewals. Thank you to all those who have already renewed for 2025.
Western Regional Survey Conference Conference – The conference is scheduled for March 18- March 21, 2026 at The Horseshoe in Las Vegas, Nevada register here:
The goals of the California Land Surveyors Association are to advance the sciences and technologies within the surveying profession, increase awareness of the surveying profession, promote cooperation between the public and private sectors, establish channels of communication with other organizations, advance the protection of public welfare relative to surveying and mapping issues, encourage ethical and professional behavior, monitor and shape national, state and local laws and regulations, foster educational opportunities and to honor persons for service to the public, the surveying profession, and the Association.
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