Getting to Know Ryan Bentz after one year.

A year ago, Ryan Bentz joined the Lamp Rynearson team as a Survey Technician, and it’s safe to say the past twelve months have been anything but ordinary. From flying drones over job sites to getting soaked on the golf course while somehow playing some of his best golf, Ryan has made his mark on the team in the best possible way. We sat down with him to hear about his first year, what drives him, and what’s next.

Why Lamp Rynearson?

For Ryan, the decision to join Lamp Rynearson came down to two things: a workplace that genuinely invests in its people and the chance to do meaningful work close to home.

“The company benefits, including retirement, and the company-wide gatherings like the zoo trip, the golf outing, and the Christmas party really stood out to me,” Ryan said. “But honestly, being able to contribute my skills to help better the city of Omaha was a big part of it too.”

That combination of community and culture is something Ryan felt from day one, and it’s clearly stuck.

The Work That Gets Him Excited

Ask Ryan about his favorite project from the past year, and his eyes light up. He’s been working with drones and terrestrial scanners to collect data for topographic maps, and the results are pretty remarkable.

“The end product is a 3D point cloud, or digital twin, that helps managers understand exactly what the field looks like right from their monitors, with incredible accuracy,” he explained.

Think about that for a second. The terrain, the elevations, the features of a site, all captured and rendered digitally so decision-makers can see the real world without ever leaving the office. It’s the kind of technology that changes how projects get planned and executed, and Ryan is right in the middle of it.

His best work memory? Also drone-related. “Using the new drone to map topographical features for elevations and updated imagery has been a highlight,” he said. “It’s exciting technology, and being able to work with it every day still doesn’t get old.”

Rain, Golf, and a Story Worth Telling

Of course, not every great memory happens on the job site.

Ryan’s favorite Lamp Rynearson moment so far came at the company golf outing, where the weather had other plans. “We got completely rained on,” he laughed, “and I shot one of my best scores during the whole thing.”

There’s something fitting about that. A little adversity, a lot of heart, and a result that surprises even you. Sounds like a pretty good metaphor for a first year in a new role, honestly.

What’s Next for Ryan

Ryan isn’t slowing down. He has a clear vision for where he’s headed, and he’s already working toward it.

“My goal is to become Crew Chief by the end of this summer,” he said, “and then earn my professional surveyor license in both Nebraska and Iowa over the next few years.”

That kind of ambition, paired with the technical skills he’s already building, makes it easy to see why the team is excited about his future here.

Beyond the Job Site

When Ryan isn’t mapping terrain or chasing a lower handicap, you’ll find him cheering on Joey Logano every NASCAR weekend, planning the next trip with his growing family, or squeezing in a round of golf whenever life allows.

He’s the kind of person who brings that same energy and enthusiasm to everything he does, whether it’s a drone survey, a rainy golf outing, or a road trip with the family.

Here’s to year one, Ryan. The best is still ahead.