About MARLS

About Us

The Montana Association of Registered Land Surveyors (MARLS) is a state-wide organization of licensed land surveyors performing land surveys in Montana. We are committed to improving the quality of professional land surveying and land records in the state, and we support land surveyors at both the state and national levels. MARLS is a founding member of the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors and an affiliate member of the National Society of Professional Land Surveyors.

Our Mission

The true merit of a profession is determined by the value of its services to society. Therefore, the Montana Association of Registered Land Surveyors dedicates itself to the promotion and the betterment of the profession of land surveying as a social and economic element vital to the welfare of society.

Our Organization

MARLS held its first meeting on April 30, 1963, deciding that an association needed to be formed “to further and protect the interests of the profession of land surveying.” Eight points were adopted as guidelines on how the organization would proceed. MARLS started with 28 members and has grown to approximately 500 members and eight state chapters today. We monitor and advocate for legislation related to the surveying profession, with a lobbyist working alongside the MARLS Legislative Committee.

Meetings, Conferences and Continuing Education

MARLS hosts quarterly meetings. The dedicated attendees deserve our appreciation because, without them, the surveying profession in Montana wouldn’t be what it is today. Although MARLS continues to grow each year, it also needs everyone in the state’s land surveying field to stay active and help recruit new members.

MARLS is your organization for Continuing Education and training, providing annual conferences and seminars to help you meet your licensing requirements for the State of Montana. See our Application for Evaluation of Continuing Education Activity.

MARLS 2025-2026 Officers and Committee Chairs

PRESIDENT
Josh Nelson
[email protected]

PRESIDENT-ELECT / VICE-PRESIDENT
Josh Nelson
[email protected]

SECRETARY-TREASURER
Joe Kauffman
[email protected]

PAST PRESIDENT
Jonathan Ries
[email protected]

MARLS DIRECTORS

NORTHWEST CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Josh Lenderman
[email protected]

WESTERN CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Joshua Hilling
[email protected]

SOUTH- CENTRAL CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Brandon Schreiner
[email protected] 

CENTRAL CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Justin Stefanik
[email protected]

SOUTHEAST CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Chris Kosine
[email protected]

CENTRAL CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Tamer Avci
[email protected] 

SOUTHWEST CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Travis Wilson
[email protected] 

NORTHEAST CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Vacant

NSPS DIRECTOR
Matt Morris
[email protected]

WESTERN FEDERATION DELEGATES
Carl Russell Kluesner
[email protected]

Brian Huotari
[email protected]

MARLS REP-MT BOARD OF PELS
Mike Newhouse

STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
Nick Fish
[email protected]

MARLS BYLAWS Committee
Rylan Stahly
[email protected]

CST PROGRAM
Carl Russell Kluesner
[email protected]

CPC EVALUATION & CONTINUING EDUCATION
Mark Larson
[email protected]

LEGISLATION
Jake Ziska
[email protected]

MGIAC
Joe Kauffman
[email protected]

MARLS BUDGET
Joe Kauffman, Chair and MARLS officers

MARLS PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND LAND SURVEYORS’ ADVISORY COUNCIL
Josh Nelson, Chair and MARLS officers

MARLS HISTORICAL & MARLS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
Bill Weikel
[email protected]

MARLS NGS STATE COORDINATOR
Shannon Marinko
[email protected]

MARLS Website
Jake Ziska
[email protected]

Workforce Development
Russ Kluesner
[email protected]

MSG TRIG-STAR
George S. Borneman
[email protected]

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
Matt Morris, Chair, Josh Nelson, Brandon Schreiner and the South-Central Chapter

YOUNG SURVEYORS’ REPRESENTATIVE
Ben Schaffer
[email protected]