Jul 21, 2026
#75 - Modern Infrastructure Mapping with BHC
What if a city could inspect roads, drainage systems, water tanks, utilities, and other hard-to-reach infrastructure faster, safer, and with more detail than a traditional field survey?
In this episode of The Clear Voice, Host James Groom talks with Craig Kerkhoff, PE and Dr. Robert Hendricks of Birkhoff, Hendricks & Carter, LLP about how LiDAR, drones, remote sensing, 3D mapping, and artificial intelligence are changing municipal engineering.
They explain how LiDAR creates detailed 3D models that help cities document existing conditions, improve worker safety, speed up surveys, inspect infrastructure, and support future projects. The conversation also explores how cities can turn raw data into useful information and better decisions.
Topics include LiDAR technology, drone-based surveys, digital mapping, elevated storage tank inspections, pavement analysis, municipal asset identification, and the future of AI in city infrastructure.
Learn more about Birkhoff, Hendricks & Carter, LLP: https://bhcllp.com
Contact Craig Kerkhoff: ckerkhoff@bhcllp.com
00:00 Introduction to Innovative Infrastructure Inspection
02:15 Meet the Experts: Craig and Robert
04:28 The Role of BHC in Municipal Engineering
07:00 Transitioning from Geology to Engineering
08:19 The Power of LiDAR Technology
09:03 Understanding LiDAR: How It Works
11:32 Creating 3D Maps for Cities
13:03 Improving Survey Speed and Safety
15:14 Eliminating Red Tape with Drone Surveys
16:59 Rapid Data Collection for Municipal Projects
17:55 How LiDAR Works in Dense Environments
18:55 Real-World LiDAR Applications
25:59 From Data to Information to Understanding
33:24 AI, Digital Twins, and the Future of City Mapping
38:06 Advice for Public Works Leaders
40:51 How to Connect with BHC
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.
Connect With Clear Career Professionals
Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.
Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders.
In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership.
Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.
Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities
The Clear Voice is a local government leadership podcast produced by Clear Career Professionals. Each episode explores the real world demands of leadership in cities, counties, and public agencies where growth is accelerating, expectations are rising, and the margin for error is small.
We sit down with city managers, police chiefs, fire executives, municipal department heads, consultants, and public sector innovators who have led through crisis, managed rapid development, rebuilt organizational culture, and made high stakes decisions in the public eye. These are honest conversations about public service leadership, not surface level talking points.
You will hear about difficult council meetings, community conflict, organizational change, staffing challenges, and the pressure of leading teams that serve entire communities. You will also hear what works, how trust is built, how culture is shaped, and how strong municipal organizations are developed to outlast any one leader.
This podcast is built for current and future local government leaders. Whether you are pursuing a city manager role, advancing in public safety leadership, preparing for executive responsibility, or looking to grow your impact in municipal government, The Clear Voice delivers practical leadership insight grounded in real experience.
If you care about ethical leadership, organizational development, public sector careers, and the responsibility that comes with community trust, this podcast is for you.
Leadership in government is more than a job. It is a commitment to people, place, and long term stewardship. The Clear Voice helps you lead with clarity.
Learn more about career opportunities in local government:
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities/
About Clear Career Professionals:
https://clearcareerpro.com/
Connect with Clear Career Professionals on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro
Subscribe and join a growing community of municipal leaders, public safety executives, and public sector professionals focused on strong leadership and stronger communities.
No comments yet. Be the first to say something!