Blair is an experienced geomatics professional, leader, and educator who has over 10 years of geomatics industry experience working in subsea development and construction as a survey party chief where he managed survey teams on multi-million-dollar projects, liaised with clients, and developed new talent. He has over 8 years of teaching experience at the post-secondary level as an instructor with College of the North Atlantic (CNA) and has been working with the Office of Applied Research and Innovation (OARI) since 2020.
He graduated from the University of New Brunswick (UNB) with a degree in Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering (B.S.c) specializing in Hydrographic Surveying in 2007. He is a professional engineer, a commissioned Canada Lands Surveyor, and a certified RPAS Pilot (Pilot Certificate – Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (VLOS) – Advanced Operations with a flight reviewer rating). Blair has also obtained his Post-Secondary Instructor Certificate from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and is currently working on his MEng through the department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering (GGE) graduate program at UNB (specializing in GIS, RS & Computer Vision).
During his 10 years in industry, Blair specialized in subsea infrastructure installation, maintenance, and mapping using numerous acoustic positioning systems including vessel mounted systems such as USBL and LBL and remotely piloted vehicle (ROV) mounted systems such as single-beam (SB) and multi-beam (MB) sonars. Blair transitioned from an online surveyor responsible for data collection, equipment maintenance and installation to a party chief whose primary responsibilities included liaising with clients, managing survey teams, and ensuring data quality.
As an instructor with the Geomatics/Surveying Engineering Technology program at CNA, Blair has been instrumental in modernizing the geomatics/surveying program to keep pace with industry advancements. This includes the integration of new technology (including terrestrial & aerial laser scanning, 3D mobile mapping using Simultaneous Location And Mapping [SLAM], and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems [RPAS]), course development, equipment upgrades, and industry engagement through course projects and collaborations. His work with OARI over the last three yeas has helped develop applied research in Reality Capture and has put geomatics at the forefront of applied research within CNA.
