Before John Tobeck ever opened a lidar dataset or processed a drone flight, he was working in a completely different world — the culinary world. As a chef, John learned discipline, precision, and the ability to stay calm when everything around him was moving fast. Those skills would later become the foundation for a career he never expected: becoming one of BGE’s most technically skilled lidar specialists.
His transition wasn’t just a career change; it was a reinvention.
After years in the culinary field, John made the bold decision to go back to school to learn a new technical skill set. He immersed himself in geospatial technology, mapping science, and the fundamentals of remote sensing — a leap that required discipline, humility, and a willingness to start from scratch. That decision would ultimately position John to earn his professional lidar certification, allowing him to become one of BGE’s most capable specialists in drone-based survey operations.
When John joined BGE in 2022, the lidar program was still in its early stages. “We had a trial version of TeraSolid when I started,” he recalls. “We were building things almost from the ground up.” Instead of being intimidated, John leaned in. He learned the software, refined the workflows, and helped shape the standards that the team uses today.
Now, with his certification in hand, he’s not just processing data — he’s helping define what high-quality lidar work looks like at BGE.
A Certification That Changes the Game
Lidar certification isn’t a simple checkbox. It requires understanding the physics of laser scanning, the complexities of point-cloud classification, error modeling, accuracy standards, and the workflows that turn millions of points into meaningful engineering data. For John, it meant proving he could operate at the top of his field. For BGE, it means a stronger foundation for the work clients depend on.
A certified lidar specialist strengthens the entire Survey team’s ability to:
- Validate data accuracy with industry-recognized standards
- Improve QA/QC workflows for point-cloud deliverables
- Support advanced modeling and feature extraction
- Ensure compliance with client and regulatory requirements
- Expand the types of projects BGE can confidently pursue
John’s certification signals to clients and partners that BGE isn’t just using lidar — we’re using it with expertise, precision, and accountability.
Building Intelligence Systems from the Ground Up
John’s certification also positions him at the center of BGE’s exploration into automation and AI. Recently, he collaborated with fellow BGE colleagues, Cameron Lee and Corbin Peretzki, to provide lidar datasets for early feature-extraction testing — a step toward integrating AI into asset management and survey workflows.
His certified expertise ensures that the data feeding these tools is accurate, well-classified, and ready for advanced processing. As AI-driven tools begin automatically identifying curbs, manholes, and linework, John’s role becomes even more critical. He ensures the foundation is solid, so the automation can perform reliably.
A Supportive Environment That Fuels Growth
John is quick to credit the culture around him for enabling his growth. “It’s been great working here, and I love it,” he says. “Nick Vann has been very supportive of getting the software that we need.” That support has enabled the team to move from trial versions to fully integrated platforms, such as the TerraSolid Suite, one of the industry’s leading point-cloud processing tools.
He’s heard stories from peers at other firms — places where budgets are tight, approvals are slow, and innovation stalls. His experience at BGE has been the opposite. “Working with our team has been a blessing,” he says. “It’s a very supportive environment.”
For someone who reinvented his career, that support has made all the difference.
Looking Ahead: Bringing Expertise to the Industry
With his certification and growing expertise, John is already looking toward the next opportunity to learn and contribute. One event on his radar is the TerraSolid User Group Conference, a gathering of experts who push the boundaries of point cloud-processing.
From chef to certified lidar specialist, John’s journey is a testament to curiosity, reinvention, and the power of a supportive team. And as BGE continues to expand its survey capabilities, John’s expertise will remain a driving force behind the innovation ahead.
About BGE, Inc.
For 50 years, BGE, Inc. has served public and private clients as a full-service, multidiscipline engineering consulting firm with integrated capabilities. BGE delivers a broad range of advisory services, technical expertise, and innovative, sustainable solutions to support local, regional, and national communities as they shape the future of infrastructure. Backed by five decades of civil engineering leadership, BGE helps client partners solve their most critical challenges. For more information,https://www.bgeinc.com/
