Meet Jason Miller - Construction Surveyor at Knik Construction, critical thinker, and proud Nome native. In the game for 17 years - and still learning something new every season. Jason’s journey with Knik Construction begins in 2018, on the Bethel Apron Resurfacing Project.
He got his start as a laborer at Nome Joint Utility to pay for college. Since then, he’s gone from grade checker to full-blown survey wizard, mastering everything from water and sewer work to high-tech rover systems. It wasn’t long before he found his calling in problem-solving and precision.
His favorite part of the job? Solving real-world problems that plans didn't see coming - and doing it with style. “I love seeing a project from start to finish,” Jason says. “Especially when you’ve spent months building it - it’s cool to see the transformation.”
Jason’s not just about the numbers. He’s a self-proclaimed best singer and dancer at Knik Construction, and when he’s not surveying, you’ll likely find him at the poker table. A firm believer in remaining calm, even when the plans don’t match reality. “There’s always a solution,” he says. A longtime card shark, Jason’s been playing since his teenage years. “Any chance I get, I’m in a tournament,” he says. “Poker’s all about reading the situation, staying cool under pressure, and making smart moves - kind of like surveying, but with more chips.”
One of Jason’s most memorable projects was the Nome Council Road Emergency repairs following Typhoon Merbok. With the season winding down and time running short, the team pulled off a massive effort to reopen the road quickly and safely. “It was amazing how fast we got that road open again,” Jason recalls. “We moved a ton of earth in a short amount of time - it was intense, but incredibly rewarding.”
Jason credits much of his growth to two key mentors; Ryan Sorensen, owner of Edge Surveying, who’s been guiding him since he first picked up a rover and still answers his calls when tricky design questions pop up. Jeff Anderson, a fellow Knik Construction surveyor with what Jason calls an “infinite knowledge base.”
He’s also a big advocate for staying ahead of the curve with automation and new technology, praising Knik Construction’s commitment to upgrading equipment and training. “I don’t think I’ll ever truly master my craft,” he admits. “There’s always more to learn.” And when asked what sets Knik Construction’s surveyors apart? “Teamwork - even across projects. We’ve got each other’s backs.”
From walking 50,000 steps a day to proudly restoring Alaska’s remote roads & runways, Jason’s work is as impactful as it is impressive. If you need a surveyor who can troubleshoot a design issue and bluff his way through a full house - Jason’s your guy.
Topics from this blog: Lynden Employees Knik Construction