Original Survey Solutions Names Tom Bacus Chief Operating Officer

Nationally recognized management expert joins OSS to support its next stage of growth

Original Survey Solutions (OSS) continues to make waves in the AEC industry with the appointment of nationally known management and leadership expert Tom Bacus to the role of  Chief Operating Officer.

Bacus brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience helping engineering and design firms improve operations, strengthen project delivery and build organizations capable of sustained growth. Most recently, he served as a national instructor with PSMJ Resources, where he taught project management, firm operations and leadership development to architecture, engineering and consulting professionals across North America. Earlier in his career, he held key leadership positions with organizations ranging from entrepreneurial startups to international engineering firms where he led operations, strategic planning, business development and post-merger integration.

A surveying, engineering and consulting firm based in Northern California with multiple offices throughout the Western United States, OSS has grown steadily and impressively since its founding in November 2023. Its current workload spans everything from signature bridge projects and massive data centers to boundary surveys and permitting.

Asked why he joined the relatively young firm, Bacus pointed his finger squarely at the foresight and ambition of co-founder and CEO Will Paul.

“For most of my career, I’ve been the fastest guy in the room,” Bacus said. “I’ve been the one encouraging firms to think further ahead and build systems before they needed them. One of the main things that attracted me to OSS is that I’m not the only person thinking that way. Will is already investing in the systems and structure that many firms don’t build until growth forces their hand. That’s incredibly rare, and it creates an opportunity for us to keep growing without the pauses so many firms experience when they outgrow themselves.”

Bacus said his experience working with firms of every size has shown him that organizational growing pains are remarkably predictable.

“Most firms eventually reach a point where success starts exposing weaknesses in their operations,” he said. “They stop to reorganize, rebuild systems and catch up before they can grow again. OSS is taking a different approach by strengthening its operational foundation before those challenges emerge. At this stage of my career, this is the perfect opportunity to contribute to something unique and special.”

Bacus joins the firm at a pivotal stage in its evolution as it continues investing in the leadership, technology and operational infrastructure needed to support long-term growth.

As COO, Bacus will lead operational strategy across the company, including project and financial visibility, implementation of the firm’s enterprise resource planning platform, process improvement and organizational development. Working closely with Paul and the executive team, he will focus on building the systems, processes and accountability needed to support continued growth while preserving the entrepreneurial culture, responsiveness and client focus that have defined OSS since its founding.

Bacus earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Utah. He is a licensed professional engineer and a U.S. Navy submarine veteran.

About Original Survey Solutions

Founded in 2023, Original Survey Solutions (OSS) is a creative, dynamic, fun and fast-growing firm specializing in land surveying with complementary civil engineering, mapping, land development and owner’s advocacy services. Based in California, OSS has offices and projects throughout the Western United States. Learn more at oss.net.