About Us
4Ward Land Surveying was established in 2009 to provide a higher level of surveying service that is more attentive to the client’s needs. 4Ward focuses on producing a high-quality product that addresses the client’s current and future needs on their site. We use the most advanced equipment and CAD programs to efficiently produce projects that are complete and accurate.
Our team is continuously researching and learning about new technology to utilize to become more efficient and cost effective while continuing to maintain high standards. We rely on client references, word-of-mouth referrals, and our work product, which exceeds our client’s expectations.
Leadership
Beth Ward
Principal
BWard@4wardls.com
Beth co-founded 4Ward in 2009 supporting business operations while working as a CPA for a commercial real estate developer. Beth graduated from Texas State University-San Marcos with a BBA and Masters in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant in Texas. In the early years she assisted with field work on the weekends and days off. After years of working nights and weekends, she has transitioned to 4Ward full time. Beth supports day to day operations overseeing all financials aspects of the firm. Her experience managing accounting teams and working closely with project development teams strengthens the management team and aids in growing and diversifying the business.
In her free time, Beth spends time with Jason and their three kids, Harper, Emmy and Gavin who love to be outdoors, swimming and running around their property.
Jason Ward
RPLS – Principal
JWard@4wardls.com
Jason and Beth founded 4Ward Land Surveying in 2009, growing the company from a one-man operation to the larger, reputable firm it is today. Jason began his surveying career in 1998 as an instrument operator and quickly discovered his passion for land surveying. After gaining experience in the field, he advanced to a CAD Technician which provided him the opportunity to expand his knowledge of surveying. As he worked on completing his bachelor’s degree at Texas State University-San Marcos, he took on the responsibility of Project Management. In 2001 he completed his Surveyor-In-Training certification and became a Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) in 2004. Jason’s project experience includes public works projects, residential subdivisions, commercial developments, office/warehouse complexes, multi-family, retail centers, oil and gas projects, and many others.
Jason has been a member of the Austin chapter (Ch. 13) of the Texas Society of Professional Land Surveyors since 2004. He has served on the Executive Committee from 2006-2013 including a term as Chapter 13 President. Jason also co-developed a para-professional course and taught at the annual TSPS Symposium.
In his free time, Jason enjoys spending time at home with his family and working around his property on his tractor. Every fall you’ll find him watching college football and cheering on the Longhorns!
John Brautigam
RPLS, Senior Project Manager
JBrautigam@4wardls.com
John has surveyed in the Austin area since 1983. Mr. Brautigam worked at Espey-Huston & Associates from 1983 to 1994, going from survey technician to project manager. From 1994 to 2000 Mr. Brautigam was an Associate and Senior Project Manager at SAM Inc. He was responsible for all consulting work performed for LCRA and TPWD. He also performed numerous projects for TxDOT and other governmental entities, land development projects and GIS projects. For the last 22 years Mr. Brautigam has been President/Project Manager/Technician/Crew Chief at Delta Survey Group, Inc. Mr. Brautigam is capable of providing survey support services for boundary, control, engineering design, topographic, aerial, and all survey support services for development or infrastructure clients.
Team Members
Steven Duarte
RPLS, Senior Project Manager
SDuarte@4wardls.com
Steven joined the 4Ward Land Surveying team in 2012 as a Project Manager. Originally from New Orleans, Steven graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. He started surveying in 1998 working on projects in Texas, Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington and earning his RPLS designation in 2007. Steven’s experience ranges from residential title surveys to City of Austin and Travis County projects, such as the Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk and Bee Creek Rd widening, to Design survey services for many local commercial developments.
Steven has served on the Executive Committee of the Austin chapter (Ch. 13) of Texas Society of Professional Surveyors since 2009. He most recently completed a term as the Chapter 13 President.
Ryan Brittain
Senior Project Manager and Crew Coordinator
RBrittain@4wardls.com
Senior Project Manager and Crew Coordinator for 4Ward Land Surveying. Ryan brings over 35 years of surveying experience to 4Ward Land Surveying. Ryan has been with 4Ward Land Surveying since 2017. He has extensive knowledge in land development surveying, and guidance through the entire process. Ryan has decades of experience in boundary, land title, ALTA/NSPS surveys, platting, easements and metes and bounds, geodetic surveying, hydrographic surveying, topographic and tree surveys, route and pipeline surveying, municipal surveying projects, construction and construction coordination, geodetic control networks, TxDOT and Corps of Engineers surveys, 3D digital scanning, water and wastewater treatment plants, aerial mapping and extraction, LiDAR, mobile LiDAR and LiDAR extraction, floodplain and LOMR surveys, crew coordination and much more. Ryan has years of knowledge regarding Texas real estate and is a prior real estate professional in commercial, ranch, single family and multi-family real estate. Ryan has been an event production manager, producer and promoter of hundreds of events, specializing in large outdoor music festivals. Ryan has used his surveying knowledge to plan, promote and produce events from conception to completion for over 20 years. Ryan is devoted to being a team leader within the company and assisting in the direction of daily operations from proposals to project completion.
Paul Guerrero
RPLS, Project Manager
pguerrero@4wardls.com
Paul Guerrero started his career at 4Ward Land Surveying in early 2021 as a Project Manager. He has a B.S. in Geomatics from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi and earned his RPLS registration in 2007. Originally from South Texas, Paul started his surveying career in San Antonio and came to Austin in 2010. Paul brings years of experience in large land development, construction, and roadway projects from all over Texas and manages projects within the firm from conception to completion.
Joseph Lopez
Project Manager
JLopez@4wardls.com
Joseph was the 2nd employee hired by 4Ward Land Surveying in 2011 as a Project Manager. A graduate of ITT Tech, Joseph began his surveying career in 2002. Beginning his career as a field technician he quickly moved into the office as a CAD technician. Joseph has worked with Jason since 2004 and has been instrumental in the growth of the company and development of employees. He’s worked on a wide range of projects from residential surveys, to public works, commercial development and even downtown rooftop projects. Joseph oversees the Construction Staking, Aerial LiDar mapping and 3D scanning departments. He applies his knowledge and experience in managing many Aerial LiDar, photogrammetry mapping and 3D scanning projects.
Fernando McDonald
SIT Project Manager
FMcdonald@4wardls.com
Fernando McDonald started his career at 4Ward Land Surveying in early 2017 as a survey technician. He has an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Land Surveying Technology/Geomatics and graduated in the Fall of 2018 from Texas State University with a B.S. in Applied Mathematics. In Nov 2019, he passed the SIT (Surveyor in Training) exam, continuing his path to become an RPLS.
Originally from East Texas, Fernando came to the Austin area in 2015 and began land surveying shortly after. His enthusiasm to learn and grow in the land surveying field, led to his rapid growth within the firm and promotion to one of 4Ward’s newest project managers.
Drew Vandiver
SIT Project Manager
DVandiver@4wardls.com
Drew Vandiver joined the 4Ward team in spring of 2017, where he worked from field technician to survey technician. An Austinite since 2005, Drew graduated in 2009 from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in History. He completed the certification in Land Surveying Technology/Geomatics from Austin Community College in 2018. In December 2020, Drew passed the SIT (Surveyor in Training) exam, continuing his path to become an RPLS.
Drew brings a well-rounded knowledge base to the table as he serves as one of 4Ward’s newer project managers.
Michele Laarveld
Office Manager
mlaarveld@4wardls.com
Michele joined the 4Ward team in March of 2021 with 20+ years’ experience in business and office management. Michele graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Textiles and Apparel. She worked in the retail industry for nearly a decade sharpening her business acumen. Michele transitioned into the hospitality industry where she fine-tuned guest experiences, trained talent and provided operational support to a team of executives. Most recently, Michele was an office manager for a commercial real estate developer where she also managed marketing campaigns for a residential community.
In her free time, Michele likes to cheer on the Texas Longhorns, explore and find new adventures with her husband and two kids.