About Us
Essential Land Surveying & Mapping, LLC was founded in 2020 as a full-service surveying and mapping firm. Court Pugh, founder and owner, has over two decades of experience in the field of surveying. We bring this wealth of knowledge to projects in a variety of sectors including healthcare, education, industrial, military and more. Our approach is to work closely with our clients, keeping them involved from the very beginning of a project. Working closely with our clients allows us to build lasting relationships and promote future connections throughout our industry.
We are based out of Columbia, Tennessee, with a satellite office in Pulaski, Tennessee, which allows us to be able to service the southern middle Tennessee region.
We are an active member of the local Chamber of Commerce organizations. We enjoy opportunities to meet new faces and engage with our local community.
Essential Land Surveying and Mapping, LLC was founded and operates in obedience to the simple but profound request: Do all to the glory of God.
Meet the Team
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Joseph C. Pugh, PLS
FOUNDER
As the founder and owner of Essential Land Surveying & Mapping, LLC, “Court” has a wide range of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial surveying. He has over 25 years of experience in the surveying sector. From site surveys for architects to in-depth industrial ALTA surveys, Court’s experience can help offer a unique approach to your project
He is a registered Land Surveyor in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Kentucky. He is a member of the Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors. He was also a past board member of the Mississippi Association of Professional Surveyors.
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Emma Riggin
PROJECT SURVEYOR/OFFICE MANAGER
As a Project Surveyor & Office Manager, Emma is responsible for overseeing our survey projects from start to finish. With her background in agricultural engineering, she utilizes CAD to draw and finalize projects ranging from small-scale residential surveys to large-scale industrial surveys. She uses her eye for detail to aid her to finish each drawing with passion. Also, she makes it her priority to be thorough with each project to ensure each one is organized, up-to-date, and on-time for clients.
Emma was born and raised in Pulaski, Tennessee. She joined Essential Land Surveying & Mapping, LLC in May of 2022 as a summer intern. Upon graduating from the University of Tennessee at Martin, she returned and began her full-time position as a Project Surveyor. In the following years as Essential Land Surveying & Mapping, LLC continued to grow, she obtained her role as Office Manager where her organizational skills equip her to combat the larger workload and keep our projects on-time.
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John Gibbons
FIELD SURVEY TECHNICIAN
As a Field Survey Technician for Essential Land Surveying and Mapping, John works at gathering the most accurate data in the field to allow for the creation and visualization of the company’s projects. His background in Geospatial Analysis, Geospatial Engineering, and Imagery Analysis allows him to quickly visualize a site and obtain a quick understanding of what data will need to be collected to complete the project in the most efficient and precise manner. With five plus years of experience from serving in the US Army, his passion for providing accurate details and solving complex issues gives him a drive to be successful on each project.
John was born in Pulaski, Tennessee where he lived until he joined the military. After his service he moved back to Pulaski and joined the team at ELSM in the fall of 2024. John is attending Columbia State to finish his associate’s degree before going to East Tennessee State University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in surveying and Mapping with the end goal of becoming a registered Land Surveyor in Tennessee.
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Zoie Helton
CAD TECHNICIAN
As a CAD Technician for Essential Land Surveying & Mapping, LLC, Zoie plays a key role in preparing survey plats and project documents. Using CAD, she creates multiple drafts before they move to project review, ensuring accuracy and clarity at every stage. In addition to drafting, she also prepares contracts, supporting the team in both technical and administrative tasks.
Zoie began working with ELSM part-time in the fall of 2024 before stepping into a full-time role the following year. She first studied Plant Science at Columbia State Community College, where her background gave her an appreciation for the practical side of land use. Introduced to surveying through her agriculture teacher, she discovered a new path that combined technical drawing with problem-solving. She plans to complete her associate degree at Columbia State and pursue a career in CAD drafting.
Zoie lives in Mooresville, Tennessee, with her husband and their two dogs. In her free time she enjoys collecting plants, crafting up a storm, and writing.
