Instructor's Biography Michael E. Cope
Background and Experience
All training provided through Earthwork Software Services is conducted by
Michael Cope. Michael has been involved with the grading and paving
industry since 1977 and he has been providing independent AGTEK software
training services since 1998. His industry experience includes ten
years as a grading and paving estimator with contractors located in both
California and Georgia, and he has logged countless hours using AGTEK earthwork
analysis products. His formal education includes a graduate degree
in International Management and undergraduate degrees in Natural and Political
Science.
Michael performed earthwork quantity takeoffs by hand for seven years
before his much-welcomed introduction to the original “Blue Screen” AGTEK
Sitework Analysis System in 1984. His experience then moved
on to EDGE Sitework Engineering and Highway Sections, Graphic
Survey, SitePlan 98, and Sitework 98 as the AGTEK product
line evolved. His ongoing immersion in AGTEK software continues today
with SiteModel 3D (aka Sitework LT), SitePlan 3D,
Earthwork 3D, Graphic Grade 3D, Sitework 4D and Gradework 4D. Michael's
practical hands-on experience with various AGTEK products includes not only
modeling, takeoff and analysis of earthwork in the office, but also taking
AGTEK data into the field to verify existing topography (and re-topo when
necessary), set and check design grades, and collect progress topo data
and calculate progress quantities. In addition to his practical experience
in using AGTEK products as an estimator, Michael also spent many years working
directly for AGTEK in various capacities, including marketing, sales, seminar
instruction, technical support and training. In the late 1980s, Michael
organized, owned and operated an independent AGTEK distributorship (GeoLogic
Systems, Inc.) which provided sales, training and service for AGTEK's complete
line of software and grade control systems.
Michael has also worked with civil design and digitizing software from other
vendors, and his intense interest in such applications led him to complete an
exhaustive study of the academic literature associated with digitizing and
digital terrain modeling methods and theory with applications to estimating site
earthwork, culminating in his 1993
white paper
on the topic. Michael has also written and self-published multiple editions
of several very well-regarded
technical handbooks
addressing the practical use of AGTEK earthwork software, which have been provided to attendees of
his corresponding AGTEK training seminars since 2001.
Through his tireless work as a professional trainer, seminar instructor, and
technical writer, Michael Cope has helped thousands of AGTEK users get more work
done in less time—with fewer mistakes. Let Earthwork Software Services help
you realize the full potential of your investment in AGTEK software. [Note: Although
Michael has retired
from conducting his regional AGTEK earthwork software training seminars, he
continues to update and edit the corresponding AGTEK seminar technical handbooks
and his seminar customers can
replace/upgrade
their original seminar handbooks with Michael's
latest available handbook editions.]
