About Me
I am a technology executive and business leader with over three decades of experience in the CAD and geospatial sectors, most recently serving as General Manager of MicroSurvey Software, a Hexagon company.
My expertise spans the full spectrum of technology business operations, from hands-on technical work to executive leadership. I excel at assessing emerging technologies, developing strategic solutions, and bringing innovative products to market.
My comprehensive background includes technical surveying experience, product development leadership, technology assessment, business development, and operations management. Through executive positions at MicroSurvey Software and leadership roles in industry organizations, I've developed a pragmatic, results-driven approach to technology consulting.
I established JP Works Consulting to help organizations navigate the complexities of geospatial and CAD technologies. Drawing on my extensive industry experience, I partner with companies to optimize their technical operations, implement effective solutions, and develop strategic roadmaps for growth.
The long story
I grew up in the small, rural French-speaking community of St. Georges in Manitoba, Canada. From a young age, I was passionate about computers, building things, and understanding the world around me. My early work experiences were diverse, and my most formative experiences came from working alongside my parents—helping my mom in her greenhouse business and my dad in his construction business. Working alongside my parents, I learned fundamental business principles firsthand—from managing day-to-day operations and building customer relationships to understanding the importance of adaptability and resilience in running a successful business. These early experiences instilled both a strong work ethic and the foundational knowledge that would later fuel my entrepreneurial ambitions.
After high school, I attended Red River College in Winnipeg. Initially studying architecture technology, I ultimately completed a diploma in surveying technology in 1993—an unexpected path that would define my career trajectory.
Following college, I worked for I.D. Engineering (now part of Stantec) and Atkinson Surveys (now part of Barnes & Duncan) in Winnipeg. Concurrently, I earned certifications in Autodesk AutoCAD and Microsoft networking (MSCE), which, combined with my surveying experience, paved the way for a technical sales position at MicroSurvey Software in 2000.
My career at MicroSurvey progressed rapidly. Starting in sales, I transitioned through various roles in support, training, and product and development management, eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2011. Following Hexagon’s acquisition of MicroSurvey in 2012, I was appointed General Manager in 2014 and joined the Senior Management Team at Leica Geosystems Inc. North America. During this period, I also served as Secretary on the board of the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium, further expanding my involvement in industry leadership. As part of Hexagon’s Geosystems division, known for digital solutions that capture, measure and visualize the physical world, I gained valuable insights into innovation and technology leadership.
Overseeing one of North America's leading surveying and mapping software companies was both an honour and an invaluable learning experience. In the summer of 2024, after a rewarding corporate career spanning multiple roles and responsibilities, I took a strategic pause to explore new opportunities and refresh my perspective on the industry I've helped shape.
This led to the creation of JP Works Consulting, where I leverage decades of industry experience to guide organizations through their technical challenges. Focusing on the geospatial and CAD sectors, I help companies optimize their operations, implement effective software solutions, and develop strategic roadmaps for growth. This venture combines my entrepreneurial spirit with my commitment to advancing the industry that has shaped my career.