Biographical Information
Education
University of Notre Dame, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, focus in environmental engineering and water resources; Purdue University Master of Science in Civil Engineering, focus in environmental engineering and hydrology; Purdue University completed four classes in Land Surveying and Geomatics Engineering degree program; Purdue University completed three GIS graduate level classes in the Agricultural & Biological Engineering program.
Current Employment
State of Indiana, Department of Transportation
Political Experience
candidate for Allen County Surveyor, primary election June 2020; candidate for Allen County Surveyor, caucus July 2022; Precinct Chair, Allen County, Republican Precinct 212; State Delegate
Facebook
https://m.facebook.com/p/David-P-Devine-for-Allen-County-Surveyor-100069100364428/
What qualifications are necessary to be an effective County Surveyor?
Leadership, experience, education, and licensure in drainage and land surveying are needed. Surveying and drainage/water resources work over 30 yrs, from survey crew during college through current work w/ highway asset management (pavement, bridges, & drainage culverts) working for consultants, local & state government, many universities, and US Peace Corps. Education: Notre Dame BS Civil Engineering, environmental engineering and water resources; Purdue MS Civil Engineering, environmental engineering and hydrology; and Purdue University land surveying classes. Professional Surveyor and Professional Engineer licenses. Leadership: directing staff and serving as president or chair for state-wide and national committees and organizations.
How can proper drainage be assured to the surrounding areas when converting an agricultural tract of land to industrial use?
Proper, effective drainage is established and ensured through the use of best practices which involves the complete process of initial surveying and information gathering, engineering design and analysis, and then construction as well as long term maintenance of the design. Design codes should be consistent with the best practices. The physical infrastructure in place to ensure proper, effective drainage will most likely include a cost-effective combination of grading (slope of ground~earth) that promotes infiltration, swales, inlets and storm sewers, along with detention & retention ponds. Furthermore, well maintained legal drains in conjunction with creeks and rivers, unimpeded by debris such as at bridges and culverts, are needed.
The County Surveyor’s office has volunteer opportunities. How would you increase the effectiveness of the volunteer program?
Public outreach is an excellent method to increase effectiveness. Use of social media along with traditional media are the means that I would use with public outreach. Additionally, incentives such as drawing more attention to previous volunteers and their achievements and providing awards along with sponsorships create incentives for participation. Youth groups, environmental organizations, and families would be who I would make efforts to contact in particular, through social media focus, for participation with the volunteer opportunities. Furthermore, I would connect with my own personal network of individuals which includes teachers, leaders of youth groups, and involved community members.