Bellevue resident and Renton Technical College instructor, Martin Paquette, was named “The 2012 Surveyor of the Year” by the Land Surveyors’ Association of Washington. Hosted by the LSAW, the annual Award Banquet Dinner was held at the Tulalip Resort in Marysville on March 8.

Paquette has practiced surveying for over 35 years, but moved to Bellevue and began his career at Renton Technical College in 1991.

“This is the greatest honor that I’ve ever received” said Paquette.

Surveying is the discipline of measuring points above, on and under the surface of the earth. Renton Technical College’s Land Surveying program is one of only three in the state, and as surveyors retire, there is a growing need for professional surveyors.

Paquette has dedicated many hours to teaching at LSAW chapter meetings and seminars. He also serves as the chair of the LSAW Education Committee and sits on the Survey Advisory Board of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

Twelve Washington State chapters submitted nominations for this honor.