Get to know IPF: Alex Bolin

When Landscape Architecture student Alex Bolin joined IPF Landscape Services close to two years ago, he knew he’d be learning a lot from his fellow staff members, but he had no idea just how much insight he’d gain from one of his closest coworkers, a 1500-pound workaholic named Mow-bot.

“Mow-bot is one of our autonomous lawn mowing machines,” Bolin said. “Working with it has taught me how to analyze safety measures, improved my communication skills and gave me hands-on training in GIS programming,”

Although his official title is data analytics and mapping assistant, Bolin oftentimes gets to be a jack-of-all-trades.

“The core of my job involves updating the campus map as construction projects change its landscape,” Bolin said. “I also do a lot of other projects from running and testing our robotic mowers to doing graphic and video work.”

He added, “I’m always looking for new projects and initiatives that could use my help and expertise.” Bolin’s latest project involved upgrading the department’s electronic dashboard displays, which visually track metrics such as litter bin service, storm water maintenance, watering and drought protection and autonomous mowing data.

“In classes you learn about ideal situations, but here it’s real life,” Bolin said. “My eyes have been opened to careers I didn’t know existed until I started working here.”

Outside of work, Bolin enjoys learning new skills like bread baking and animation as well as playing board and video games. He’s also a huge self-proclaimed Star Wars nerd.

“I always have at least one Star Wars piece on my outfit whether it be my belt or T-shirts or even socks,” Bolin said.

Bolin appreciates the fun people he gets to work with as well as the knowledge he’s gained about working in a large organization.

“IPF is a little city, and it’s important to know how to navigate something this big as far as who to talk to if you need something and how situations are handled,” Bolin said. “Making connections with people early on helps in the long run.”