Preston Dowell

Preston began his land surveying career in 1998 in the private sector. He worked on a variety of projects ranging from construction surveys to ALTA Land Title Surveys to Public Land Survey System corner restoration surveys. In 2011, he transitioned to the government sector and is currently employed as a Deputy County Land Surveyor in St. Louis County. Preston focuses on restoring the Public Land Survey System in St. Louis County, improving access to survey records, and integrating surveying into a variety of county functions. Preston holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Cardinal Stritch University as well as an Associate of Applied Science in Civil Engineering and Technology from St. Paul Technical College.

Preston is an active member of the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors, where he is the current President. He is active in the Minnesota Association of County Surveyors and the Minnesota GIS/LIS Consortium. He has completed numerous presentations on a variety of surveying topics. Preston also serves as chair of the Parcel and Land Records Committee for the Minnesota Geospatial Advisory Council.

In 2016, Preston was the recipient of the E.A “Bud” Rathbun Award of Merit for the Advancement of the Profession of Land Surveying from the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors. He was also named Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors Surveyor of the year in 2020. He also won awards for drafting in 2002 and 2004. He is active in his community, where he is a volunteer firefighter.