Influential Woman · Land Surveying

Elizabeth Fink

Principal Partner & Land Planner, Fink, Whitten & Associates, LLC

Easton, MD

8Years experience

1Award received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor of Science Degree Salisbury University Degree 1992 Degree Master of Science Degree University of Alabama Degree 1996 Cert Certified Professional Environmental Professional in Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments

Her Story

About Elizabeth

I've been in land surveying for six years and run the Talbot County office in Easton, Maryland for our business. My main areas of expertise are zoning and critical area work. I wear many hats in my role - I act as a project manager, drafter, zoning guru, and health department liaison. I advise people on whether or not they should purchase property based on what they want to do with it. I develop stormwater plans, sediment and erosion control plans, and submit building permits. I pretty much do everything from answering phones and taking in jobs, to scheduling work and getting my crew out in the field. I have a Bachelor of Science from Salisbury University (1992) and a Master of Science from the University of Alabama (1996). My graduate thesis was published as first author. I am also a Certified Professional environmental professional in writing Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments. My most notable professional achievement is co-owning this business with my partner, while also raising six wonderful children. I believe honesty and really trying to help my clients are the most important values in my work. My clients would say that I bend over backwards for them and guide them to make the best decisions. I try to help people that are down on their luck.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Elizabeth

01What do you attribute your success to?

I think I'm just a hard worker, and I'm a hard head. I want to do it myself. I feel like nobody can do it as well as I can. That's why there's only me in here running this office with my survey crew, because I don't think anybody else can do it like I can.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Just keep going. Time can test you, and you just... There's always better things, you just might not know it at the time.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

There are not many women in my industry, and the hardest thing is dealing with men who think they know more because it's a basic job or whatever. I always tell my daughter, don't ever let anybody tell you that you can't do it, and don't let them make you feel like you can't do it. If I come across a client who's just not being respectful because I'm a female, then I just fire myself. I don't take the job. The majority of my clients are very, very good people, but there are bad ones too.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

There's a lot of regulations and red tape that homeowners and developers have to work through. A land surveyor can help you do that. It's not just let's build a house, but we can help you negotiate between different agencies in the state, and the feds, if you have to get involved. It's not a one-stop shop. I think a lot of people just don't understand that surveyors don't just survey the land, that there's other things involved to get from point A to point B. And it's a lot of work.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

In my work, honesty is most important, and really trying to help my clients. I think if you would ask any of my clients, they all would just say that I bend over backwards for them. I try to guide them and just really make sure they're making the best decision. And I try to help people that are down on their luck.

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