FEATURES
Goodwill Mapping
As GIS corps celebrates two years of voluntary map making, we learn from those volunteers how sharing GIS skills can be a force for good.
UAV and Part 108
What impact will allowing flights beyond the visual range of the operator have on the mapping industry?
2025’s Young Geospatial Professionals to Watch
Geospatial professionals are pushing boundaries that no one could have seen even a few years ago. Much of that work is being done by young, innovative people.
Matthew Forrest.
Publisher Shawn Dewees shawn.dewees@xyht.com
Editor-in-Chief Jeff Thoreson jeff.thoreson@xyht.com
Director of Sales and Business Development Chuck Boteler chuck.boteler@xyht.com
Creative Director Ian Sager ian.sager@xyht.com
Accounting and Classifieds Angie Duman angie.duman@xyht.com
Circulation subscriptions@xyht.com Phone: 301-662-8171
Editor, Located Jeff Salmon jeff.salmon@xyht.com
Editor, Field Notes Eric Gladhill eric.gladhill@xyht.com
Contributing Writers Marc Delgado Juan Plaza Brian Raber Brett Thomassie
Partners and Affiliates
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Compiled by Jeff Salmon
Mapping Your World | UAV/UAS | GNSS | New Products
2024 Holiday Gift Guide
BY JEFF SALMON AND MARC DELGADO
DRONES CAN BE A GREAT GIFT; TIPS FOR SELECTING THE RIGHT ONE
Drones are popular gifts for young and old. As a bonus for younger recipients, it could be a way to get them interested in the geospatial profession. However, there can be some pitfalls. Here’s how to avoid them and select the right drone for the right recipient.
1) Go small. Not only are the smaller units less expensive, but drones weighing 249 grams or less require no cumbersome FAA registration or Remote Identification (RID). Registration, while cheap at only $5, is yet another step that needs to be completed and adds unnecessary complexity to the gift-giving process. Skip the FAA rigmarole and buy a sub-250-gram drone.
2) Age factors. When selecting a drone, consider the recipient’s age and competence with complex technology. If the recipient is not your own child, consult the parents both for the preceding factors and naturally, if they have any objections. It’s safe to say buying a $300 to $500 drone for a very young child is a path to disappointment for everyone. Conversely, buying a cheap drone with limited capabilities (e.g., no or low-end camera) for an older child or adult recipient can also be a recipe for regret.
3) What’s your use case? Continuing the above theme, younger children may be tickled pink with something that simply flies under their control. So, a
$50 to $100 no-camera unit may be just the ticket. Older youngsters may want to take high-quality selfie videos and stills, so a drone with a decent camera would be more appropriate. Young adults and “grown-ups” may be in the market for more sophisticated drones with three-axis gimbals and 4K and better cameras.
4) Supply chain issues. As an example, DJI has been encountering legal issues making some of its models delayed and possibly unavailable in the U.S. At the time of writing the firm has its new Air 3S blocked by U.S. customs. “The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has cited the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), as the reason for the current holdups,”
according to the firm.
DJI strongly denies the allegations.
The point of this is to be aware of supply chain issues when buying a gift drone. Buyers may want to avoid placing orders on any DJI units listed as “on backorder” to avoid disappointment. Here are a couple of well-rated entry-level drones that would make great gifts.
HoverAir X1. The X1 is a pocket-sized, folding drone that only weighs 125 grams, well under the FAA limit for registration or RID. It is very simple to fly, requires no controller, and is similar to DJI’s popular new Neo. Like the Neo, its props are protected by the unit’s cage structure protecting users from possible harm, a consideration for younger flyers. The unit offers 20 intelligent flight paths, and a triple stabilization system that ensures smooth video effects and excellent fast motion capturing capability. One downside is the camera is only 2.7K. (The next step up offers 4K and an 8K version is available.) Prices start around $350 but compare costs between Amazon and HoverAir’s website and watch for holiday sales.
Potensic ATOM. This more conventional beginner quadcopter packs a three-axis gimbal, is lightweight (less than 249 grams), offers quick-shots (automated flight paths), visual tracking, and Surgefly, the firm’s technology that extends transmission range up to six kilometers (2,000 feet). The camera is a 12MP/4K/30FPS Sony CMOS. I own one of these units and I am impressed with its feature set and affordable price. I suggest getting the “Fly More Combo,” which adds two extra batteries, a fast charger with a three-battery capacity, a controller, a 64mb micro-SD card, and a nice little case to carry it all in. Downside: no obstacle avoidance. The combo kit is around $380 and the standard kit without the extra goodies runs $280. The Potensic ATOM SE is very similar, about $50 less for the combo version, but only has a two-axis gimbal. Again, compare prices between Amazon and other drone retail websites and watch for holiday sales.
More Holiday Gift Ideas
GIFTING A MAPMAKER DOES NOT NEED TO BE DIFFICULT, as long as they have been nice and less naughty this past year. So, whoever is on your list, from surveyors and engineers to cartographers and programmers, they will surely appreciate something that will elevate their game, anything practical that they never thought they needed, or even a merry little gadget to celebrate the season. Happy Holidays!
—Marc Delgado, marc.delgado@xyht.com
MODULAR DATA COLLECTORS: There are two topnotch handy devices that came out this year which I think any geospatial specialist who collects data in the field would appreciate: the TDC6 from Trimble and the S80G from onex. Both Android-based data collectors are powered by swappable Lithium-ion batteries lasting from eight to nine hours, ample enough for a day’s work. The TDC6, however, is lighter (287 grams) and has a compact smartphone-sized form factor compared to the S80G’s tablet body (700 grams). That’s because there’s an antenna that is directly connected to the S80G, adding not just weight to the tablet but also providing it with better precision of two centimeters. Other standout specs include their 16-megapixel rear cameras, good for taking geo-tagged photos of POIs, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless data transfer. But it’s their modular design that makes both the TDC6 and S80G useful to everyone, allowing users to choose and pair the right GNSS receivers that fit their workflows and budget.
DESKTOP MONITOR FOR FLEXIBLE WORK: Those who have ditched their office desk for a remote office (or a dining table) may find it cumbersome to lug around a large-sized monitor just to get work done. So how about creating your own portable workstation with screens that can be attached to your laptop? That’s what Texas-based company Xebec is offering with Snap, its award-winning solution to achieving a flexible workspace anywhere. A standout at this year’s CES Innovation Awards, the Xebec Snap is a plug-and-play portable workstation, allowing users to attach up to two 13.3” full HD screen monitors to their laptop in less than 15 seconds. If you are designing a map and reading a document while coding, you can choose to tilt the screens in either portrait or landscape orientation to enhance multi-tasking. Need to take a wider look at a map or a satellite image? Xebec Snap supports both dual-screen or tri-screen setups for an expanded field of view. And once you’re done with work, simply fold the Snap, tuck it away, and enjoy a well-deserved cuppa!
EYE PROTECTION IN THE FIELD: Being outdoors may have attracted many of us to start a career in the geospatial sector. But while enjoying a sunny spot during field work can have its benefits, safeguarding our eyes from too much sunlight and harmful ultraviolet rays is crucial. Bright sunny conditions can cause excessive blinking, squinting and watering of the eyes, especially if we must constantly read LCD displays or view through telescopic eyepieces. According to the U.S. National Eye Institute, wearing a hat and sunglasses is the simplest and safest way to protect your eyes from UV rays every day. But for the holidays, let’s take a leap further with Dusk Sport, a protective eyewear designed for the outdoors. Dusk Sport sunglasses are fitted with electrochromic lenses that can automatically adjust the level of tint using an ambient light sensor that sits inconspicuously on the frame’s bridge. The lenses are also polarized, blocking 100 percent of UV rays. Wearers can listen to music or talk to each other using built-in noise-cancelling speakers and microphones. Weighing less than 28 grams and a battery that lasts six hours, these cuttingedge sunglasses can give anyone a fresh pair of eyes any day. Who says field work is boring?
OpenStreetMap: 20 Years Young
OPENSTREETMAP (OSM), THE WORLD’S LARGEST community-created cartography project, celebrated two decades of successful digital map making this year with live and online events in various countries. Parties and meetups were organized in August and September in Australia, France, South Korea, and in other local chapters of OSM.
Mapathons, the quintessential OSM get-togethers where maps get to be made, were hosted by volunteers from as far as Brazil, India, and Turkey. Steve Coast founded the OSM in the U.K. in 2004, submitting its initial mapping data, which he collected using a GPS receiver while biking around Regent's Park in London. Now OpenStreetMap covers the entire globe, with data contributed by thousands of local volunteers from all over the world.
Millions of users access OSM maps every day, either via the OpenStreetMap website (openstreetmap. org), or through different commercial web platforms (Amazon, MapBox, Uber, etc.). Sat-nav companies such as TomTom and other GNSS-based services also use OSM data as their basemap.
After 20 years, OSM remains an open-source initiative, with its geospatial data freely accessible under the Open Database License. The non-profit OpenStreetMap Foundation hosts the OSM database.
“The core brilliance of OSM is that free, simple, and open tools can change the world,” said Coast in a message posted on the TomTom website. “What will you create in the next 20 years?”
—Marc Delgado, marc.delgado@xyht.com
EVENTS
GeoBuiz Summit NA
January 13-15, 2025
Denver, CO
Geo Week February 10-12, 2025 Denver, CO
Esri Developer & Technology Summit
March 11–14, 2025
Palm Springs, CA
Amsterdam Drone Week & Commercial UAV Expo
April 8-10, 2025
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Carlson User Conference
May 6-8, 2025 Maysville, KY
XPONENTIAL (AUVSI)
May 19-22, 2025
Houston, TX
Hexagon LIVE
June 16–19, 2025
Las Vegas, NV
Esri User Conference
July 14–18, 2025 San Diego, CA
RIEGL Wins 2024 Wichmann INTERGEO Innovations Award
RIEGL HAS ANNOUNCED THAT ITS MINIVUX3UAV with RiLOC-E has won the Wichmann INTERGEO Innovations Award in the hardware category.
The RIEGL miniVUX-3UAV with RIEGLsubsystem RiLOC-E fully integrates a MicroElectromechanical System (MEMS), Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), a GNSS unit, and RIEGL developed software that provides a simplified user-friendly workflow. Post-
processing of both the trajectory and scan data is fully within RIEGL’s RiPROCESS, eliminating the need for any third party software to obtain a precisely aligned and calibrated point cloud. Completely enclosed within the housing of the well-established miniVUX-series, RiLOC-E offers RIEGL’s lightest weight UAV lidar system to date at only 1.75 kilograms (3.86 pounds), providing an entry-level and cost-effective solution for your surveying and mapping needs.
Trimble’s New UAV Direct Georeferencing Portfolio
TRIMBLE ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF PREMIUM direct georeferencing solutions for mapping sensors on uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs)—the Trimble APX RTX portfolio. When used by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and drone payload integrators, their customers can fly around-the-clock in widely variable environments to efficiently and quickly deliver highaccuracy, reliable map products. This is made possible by the integration of Trimble CenterPoint RTX, which enables real-time and post-mission direct georeferencing of camera, lidar, and hyperspectral mapping sensors on UAVs with centimeter-level accuracy. It achieves this without needing base stations, making mapping more efficient.
The next generation Trimble APX RTX is embedded with new, compact, survey-grade GNSS inertial hardware that delivers real-time positioning and highly accurate roll, pitch, and heading measurements. It includes four variants for mapping at different flying heights and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), enabled through greater orientation accuracy. According to the manufacturer, the combination of these features creates a portfolio ranging from entry level up to the smallest, lightest, highest performance solution on the market.
High-Tech Sat Solution to Ship Groundings in Coastal Waters
MULTIPLE RECENT INCIDENTS IN WHICH NAVAL AND COMMERCIAL VESSELS have run aground highlight the dangers of maritime operations in shallow and/or poorly charted coastal waters. A new technique offers a cost-effective, environmentally safe solution using Earth observation satellites to derive accurate water depth measurements in near-shore areas.
The collection of high-quality water depth measurements in shallow coastal areas where they are needed the most has traditionally been expensive and dangerous to acquire with ships or aircraft, especially in remote or contested regions. Consequently, the risk of groundings is only growing as military vessels and eco-tourism charters increasingly operate in unfamiliar and inadequately mapped coastal zones.
For more than 10 years, TCarta has been supplying marine charting organizations with water depth data using a technique called Satellite Derived Bathymetry (SDB). SDB applies physics-based computer algorithms to optical imagery captured by commercial remote sensing satellites. This analysis detects and measures light reflecting off the seafloor to calculate water depth. Depending on water clarity, SDB is routinely accurate to depths of 20 to 30 meters.
“In addition to posing no danger to personnel, equipment, or coastal environments, satellites are more cost effective than ship-borne sonar or airborne laser scanning because they acquire image data over large regions in seconds,” said Goodrich. “And because satellites orbit without geographic restrictions, data can be collected for areas otherwise off limits to vessels or aircraft.”
TCarta has mapped nearly one-third of the world’s coastlines with SDB and offers products in custom and off-the-shelf versions. Custom SDB data sets are typically generated using high-resolution satellite imagery capable of resolving seafloor objects, such as shoals and reefs, with one-meter resolution.
It was during the heyday of Afghanistan’s peace-time reconstruction, after many years of destructive conflicts, that
Shoreh Elhami found herself teaching GIS in Kabul in 2005. Her work there, which was part of a capacity-building mission backed by the United Nations Development Program, was to support the mapping activities of the Afghanistan Information Management Services (AIMS), a local organization. Specifically, AIMS wanted to improve its geographic information system capabilities by moving from ArcView to ArcGIS.
“AIMS had relocated from Pakistan to Afghanistan and was in need of GIS support,” says Elhami. “At that time, I was an authorized ArcGIS instructor, so I taught the AIMS team how to use ArcGIS.”
Elhami, who has an architectural engineering degree from Iran and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from the Ohio State University, now works for the City of Columbus as the City’s Data and Analytics lead. She is also the founder of GISCorps, an organization that coordinates short-term volunteer GIS services worldwide to communities in need.
GISCorps is a program of URISA (Urban and Regional Information Systems Association), a non-profit association made up of GIS professionals and experts in geospatial technologies. URISA provides various activities that contribute to the advancement of the GIS profession, including conferences, seminars, and trainings, and has several chapters in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. Yet while URISA
Goodwill Mapping
As GISCorps celebrates two decades of voluntary mapmaking missions, we learn from their volunteers how sharing one’s GIS skills where they are needed can be a force for good.
By Marc M. Delgado, PhD
was incorporated way back in 1966, it was only in 2003 that a volunteer program within the organization was established.
“I wondered whether GIS professionals would be willing to volunteer their expertise to serve communities in need,” recalls Elhami. “It was a question that has been in my head since 2001.”
Elhami shared her GIS-volunteering idea with a few colleagues during the URISA conference held that same year in Long Beach, California. And to her surprise, everyone who she spoke with reacted positively, even encouraging her to form a team.
“The idea of giving back and doing GIS for good by using your GIS skills caught on very rapidly and enthusiastically by both URISA and other GIS colleagues at large,” she says.
Inspired by the initial support that she got, Elhami posted an online form to allow people to register as volunteers. “I signed up as the first volunteer and then several other colleagues followed after,” said Elhami. “At the time of endorsement by URISA in October 2003, we already had 41 volunteers in our database.”
Her voluntary work in Afghanistan is one of the many missions that Elhami has undertaken with GISCorps, and it still leaves her with fond memories.
“I wanted to learn what it was like to work at a location and understand how hard it would be,” she says. The organization has since sent six more volunteers to Kabul, although deploying additional volunteers has ceased due to the country’s current security situation.
Holly Torpey collecting GIS data in the field. “Volunteering at GISCorps exposes one to people, organizations, and GIS use cases that you might never otherwise encounter.”
Two decades on, and despite many other challenges, GISCorps has now grown to more than 10,000 volunteers who come not just from the U.S. and Canada, but also from more than 140 countries, including the U.K., India, and Australia. To help manage its activities, the organization has a 10-member, all-volunteer Core Committee, plus a program coordinator who works part time. They also have an advisory board which offers its expertise and advice.
”We have launched 355 projects in 84 countries throughout the years, with participation by more than 3,000 of our volunteers,” says Elhami. “That’s approximately 100,000 volunteer hours to date.”
MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK
Holly Torpey and Katie Picchione are two of those people who volunteer with GISCorps. Both women are involved in the organization’s PhotoMappers project, a crowdsourcing effort where volunteers find photos posted to social media in the first 24 to 48 hours after a disaster, figure out where those photos were taken, and upload them to a web map.
“This data is useful to federal, state, and volunteer emergency managers who often have little other imagery available during that period,” says Picchione. And depending on the scale of the disaster, GISCorps mobilizes a team of around 10 to 30 volunteers to help sort out and geolocate the images.
“The PhotoMappers project provides a unique alternative source of information to
verify and fill information gaps during these incidents,” Picchione says.
She is not only a member of the disaster response subcommittee at GISCorps, but also one of the project managers for PhotoMappers. As the project’s subject matter expert, she provides advice on how to make the images that collect most useful to emergency managers. Her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and master’s in technology and policy, as well as a previous job experience in the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) makes her a perfect fit at PhotoMappers.
“I’ve been with GISCorps since 2021, but before that, I was at FEMA where I worked closely with the team through numerous disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic,” she says. “When I left FEMA for a research opportunity at MIT, I joined GISCorps’ Core Committee so I could continue supporting a mission that’s very important to me.”
cination campaigns reach every settlement,” says Torpey. “Because these settlements can be temporary and poorly mapped, they asked GISCorps to scour recent satellite imagery to find and digitize dwellings across vast regions. This data would then be used to estimate population sizes and plan vaccination efforts.”
Outside her volunteer role at GISCorps, Torpey’s day job is at a California-based environmental consulting company. After receiving her BA in geography from the University
According to Torpey, the PhotoMappers project started out around 2017 as the brainchild of Paul Doherty, then with the National Alliance for Public Safety GIS (NAPSG) Foundation.
“The original version was a Survey123 form and an Attachment Viewer application hosted on ArcGIS Online,” she says. Now the project is more sophisticated and has “morphed into a dashboard, which was eventually replaced by a pair of Experience Builder apps developed by GISCorps Core Committee member Erin Arkison and a Hub site maintained by NAPSG.”
During the last seven years that she has volunteered with GISCorps, Torpey has held many roles, including working as a part-time program coordinator. Today she is a member of the organization’s advisory board. She still remembers her first official GISCorps projects where she participated in various coordinated mapping events, or mapathons, to support the polio eradication campaigns in Africa of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Global health organizations trying to eradicate polio need to ensure that their vac-
of New Orleans, she continued her studies and finished her MS degree in Geographic Information Science and Technology at the University of Southern California.
Torpey believes that people who are drawn to the GIS field tend to have a level of hyper-focus and attention to detail that comes in really handy for the kind of work that they do at GISCorps.
“We are happy to spend hours on end poring over every inch of a satellite image, looking for buildings and huts to digitize,” she says. “I imagine a lot of other people would lose their minds doing that after about 20 minutes.”
And indeed, volunteers at GISCorps typically work on projects that require GIS skills, although not all the time. According to Elhami, the most sought-after services by organizations interested in requesting volunteers—referred to as partner agencies by GISCorps—are data capture and collection, as well as GIS application development. Other projects may also require data visualization, GIS training, data management, and remote sensing.
GISCorps founder, Shoreh Elhami, teaching GIS in Kabul, Afghanistan. “The idea of doing GIS for good caught on very rapidly.”
Katie Picchione working at FEMA prior to volunteering. “I joined GISCorps so I could continue supporting a mission that’s very important to me.”
“The majority of the projects during our early days were conducted onsite,” says Elhami. “But that trend has reversed as almost all are done remote now.”
The founder of GISCorps has also observed that conducting GIS needs assessment has become one of the most requested skill sets.
“That’s mainly because in most cases the partner agency does not possess a vast knowl-
bers for the project.
For their work, the PhotoMappers team received in 2022 the Award for Excellence in Public Safety GIS from the NAPSG Foundation.
“As a partner agency, NAPSG Foundation fields requests for PhotoMappers activations from the emergency management community and shares the data widely,” says Elhami.
edge of GIS,” says Elhami. “Volunteers must first learn about the PA’s line of business and determine how GIS can be helpful to them to be able to make sound recommendations and follow it up with subsequent actions.”
So can someone with no GIS skills become a GISCorps volunteer?
“Those without GIS expertise can still apply and join our PhotoMappers team,” she says. “That project does not necessarily require GIS know-how, though GIS experience is definitely helpful.”
Picchione agrees, adding how easy it is to get started with PhotoMappers since the team has already developed extensive guidelines, including a group of peers that can offer support.
“It’s also a great introduction to GIS,” she says.
“PhotoMappers would also not be possible without the help of GISCorp Core Committee members such as Erin Arkison and Monicque Lee,” adds Elhami. The organization also relies on 10 “star” volunteers who serve as recurring administrative mem-
study showed that volunteering is mutually beneficial because it broadens the professional networks of both the participating volunteers and their recipient organizations.
“I think that what excites the volunteers about GISCorps can be summarized in three areas: Paying forward or doing good, networking with colleagues, and learning new skills,” says Elhami.
Yet aside from gaining new skills, volunteering has also been shown to improve a person’s health and wellbeing by enhancing their connection to others as well as their sense of community.
Torpey, for instance, feels grateful to have been part of a mapping project which has helped many people during the last pandemic.
“Jeff Baranyi, the disaster response program operations manager at Esri, contacted GISCorps at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in hopes that we could gather some volunteers to help assemble a nationwide inventory of COVID testing site locations by integrating data shared publicly by state, county, and local health departments,” she says.
Torpey took the lead on that project, partnering with another nonprofit called Coders Against Covid. After 18 months of
A GOOD DEED IS ITS OWN REWARD
Several studies have shown that participating in volunteer activities can help individuals acquire new skills as well as expand their network. One of them, a survey involving thousands of volunteers in Ireland, revealed that the amount of time dedicated to volunteering influences not only the number of skills developed by people but also their depth of skill acquisition. While another
working with hundreds of volunteers, they were able to map around 70,000 testing and vaccination sites.
“That web mapping feature service has gotten over 20 million views,” she says. “Being part of that project was a surreal experience and an honor.”
The best parts of volunteering with GISCorps, Torpey says, include not only skills development but the opportunity to build
GISCorps activities at a glance. The organization coordinates short-term volunteer GIS services worldwide to communities in need.
GISCorps helped in the mapping of testing and vaccination sites during the COVID-19 pandemic.
one’s network and resumé. There is also the camaraderie of working with a team of like-minded people, while at the same time helping others in their time of need rather than just sitting on the sidelines wishing you could do something.
“Volunteering at GISCorps exposes one to people, organizations, and GIS-use cases that you might never otherwise encounter,” she says.
For URISA’s executive director, Wendy Nelson, GISCorps is a remarkable example of how GIS professionals leverage their skills to contribute to global humanitarian efforts. According to her, their work showcases the powerful impact that GIS technology can have on improving and saving lives.
“The dedication of these volunteers truly embodies the spirit of using technology for the greater good,” says Nelson.
Aside from people and technology, however, GISCorps also needs reliable funding to be able to carry on doing their selfless endeavors.
“While we have had amazing support from our volunteers and industry leaders, continued and sustained donations will ensure that we can continue and expand our work,” says Elhami.
Clearly the organization does not lack skilled people who are willing to map for free, but “it is important to mention that they may not be called to work on a project right away as we have more volunteers than projects,” she says. “We would love to get more projects either from the PAs or from our volunteers.”
To help increase their volunteer assignments, GISCorps partnered with Esri in 2017 and launched a program called the GIS Service Pledge (GSP). Through the GSP, the geospatial company donates a one-year ArcGIS personal use license to each volunteer who commits to contributing their GIS expertise to a worthwhile cause consistent with GISCorps’ mission and policies.
“To date, we have had 62 GSP projects and would love to see the program expand
further,” says Elhami. “The GSP is an opportunity for volunteers to identify, design, and manage their own project supporting an organization, community, or cause that matters to them.”
GISCorps, however, has a vendor-neutral policy in the recommendation of software, hardware, and other related technologies and services. “We work with or recommend what’s in the best interest of the organization,” says Elhami.
That is why their projects can also involve the use of open-source mapping platforms like QGIS or the OpenStreetMap, but the majority use Esri software even though they are a software agnostic body.
“When nonprofit organizations need help working with their software, Esri often refers them to GISCorps,” says Torpey. “We then have a brief scoping meeting with the organization to identify their needs, and then we recruit one or more volunteers with the skills required to meet those needs.”
Ultimately, beyond the technology, putting together the right people in any mapping task is just as important.
“Projects are successful when we put people at the center—when we listen with
an open mind, treat each other with kindness and respect, and come up with creative solutions,” says Picchione.
That is why Elhami is impressed by the impact that the people behind GISCorps have had in the past 21 years.
“I’m proud of our volunteers as they instill my confidence in humans’ ability to do good without hesitation and monetary compensation,” she says. “I’m incredibly humbled by their generosity and willingness to give. I feel very lucky to get to know and work with them.”
GISCorps activities are possible thanks to volunteer work, in-kind donations, and services, grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations. If you would like to support GISCorps, visit their website at: www.giscorps.org/contribute/ ■
Marc Delgado, PhD, is a GIS specialist who crisscrosses continents teaching GIS in Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa.
GISCorps volunteers come from all over the world.
Ever since the introduction of uncrewed aviation platforms (drones) for cartographic purposes over a decade ago, we have seen a proliferation of use cases in which photogrammetry and land surveying companies alike have adopted the new technology, but, for regulatory reasons, only for small areas and relatively easy projects.
The reason is simple, in the summer of 2016 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued its Part 107 regulation in which drones were finally allowed to use the National Airspace (NAS) under very strict conditions such as flight
altitude and most importantly for our industry, flight distance to the operator.
This key restriction to maintain the aircraft within the visual range of the operator meant that uncrewed aircraft had to fly only a few hundred yards away from the pilot in command (PIC) to be a legal mission. This is a major obstacle to photogrammetric flights which normally cover hundreds if not thousands of square miles on each mission to minimize costs and take advantage of clear and cloudless days. When the operator is using a small multi-copter, this visual restriction seems to be
PART 108 WHERE ARE YOU?
What impact will allowing flights beyond the visual range of the operator have on the mapping industry?
By Juan B. Plaza
less of a problem, because of the short battery life of most of these commercial platforms. With existing fixed wing platforms, especially those with hybrid powerplants, Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) limitation imposes a costly external restraint.
During the recent Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, the most important industrial drone event in the world, officers from the FAA announced their intention to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for Part 108 soon, but details about a specific date were sketchy at best.
What will Part 108 be and why is it relevant to our industry? Part 108 is an improvement over Part 107 in many ways, but especially in what the industry refers to as BVLOS or flights beyond the visual range of the operator. In other words, uncrewed aircraft will be able to fly away from the pilot in command as far away as they can as long as communications are maintained 100 percent of the time and with 100 percent reliability and redundancy. And this is perhaps why the FAA is taking its time enacting the regulation. Guaranteeing 100 percent reliability and redundancy is not an easy task, but ingenious solutions are being proposed to prove to the federal agency that drones are ready to safely join their counterparts in the National Airspace (NAS).
While we wait for the FAA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) industry, and academia to solve the many technical questions involved in a full integration, let us focus on the mapping industry and how this upcoming legislation will affect it.
The current status of the Part 108 regulation is a bit foggy, but with the signature of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 signed by President Biden on May 16, 2024, the federal agency had four months to publish its much-anticipated NPRM. That date, September 16, 2024, came and went
Wingtra aircraft ready to take off in a photogrammetry mission in Chile.
without a word from the federal agency except a commitment to publish the NPRM before the end of the year.
Using previous experiences with FAA’s NPRMs we can safely forecast that the earliest we will have a formal regulation that would allow BVLOS flights is in the first quarter of 2026. That means that in less than 18 months photogrammetry companies will be able to use fixedwing drones at higher altitudes and for longer periods of time. As we all know too well, these two characteristics, altitude and time in photogrammetry only mean one thing: more area.
that will take full advantage of more altitude and no visual restrictions to the operator.
PUBLIC UTILITY CORRIDOR
This project was executed under a special waiver or Certificate of Authorization (COA), which authorized the lines to be flown away from the visual range
This is the typical project that would take days to accomplish with a regular multicopter in Part 107 world, because of the combination of altitude restrictions and flying time.
It would be useful to analyze which of the existing non-piloted aerial platforms would offer the best options and would benefit the most from the new regulation:
• AgEagle eBee aBee X : 90 minutes flight time; can map 1,235 acres at 400 feet altitude with a 3.6 pounds of useful load.
• Wingtra One Gen II : 59 minutes flight time; can map 1,140 acres at 400 feet altitude with a 1.8-pound useful load.
• Quantum Systems Trinity Pro : 90 minutes flight time; can map 1,729 acres at 400 feet altitude with a 2.68-pound useful load.
• Delair UX11 : 80 minutes flight time; can map 300 acres at 400 feet altitude with a 1.5-pound useful load.
Now that we have established that we can cover more area with a fixedwing drone, let us analyze a case study
of the operator. It is important to note that after Part 108 is enacted, missions like this will be possible without special permissions. The parameters for the project were as follows:
• Length of corridor: 12.42 miles
• Width of Corridor: 1,500 feet
• 80 percent longitudinal overlap
• 70 percent lateral overlap
• GSD: 1.2 inches
The flight was executed using a Wingtra drone with a 42 MP camera and a 35 mm lens. The specifications for the flight to comply with the project requirements were:
• Altitude of Flight: 820 feet
• Speed of Flight: 31 knots (36 miles per hour)
• Four useful flight lines
• Total flight time: 6.1 hours
Even though we realize that Part 108 is still at least 12 to 18 months away, it would be useful to start exploring non-piloted aerial platforms that can offer the best performance in a regulatory environment in which we can fly our aircraft for more than one hour and cover hundreds if not thousands of acres a day, depending on the accuracy of the project. We are still years away from a world in which crewed and noncrewed aircraft will share the national airspace freely and without restrictions, but this time will come, and we will see a full integration of both platforms surely within the next decade.
At that point fixed-wing drones will be able to more closely compete with traditional piloted platforms, but as we prepare for that futuristic prospect it is good to think that aerial mapping and photogrammetry are becoming more and more accessible to land surveyors all over the world. ■
Juan B. Plaza is CEO of Plaza Aerospace, a drone and general aviation consulting firm specializing in modern uses for manned and unmanned aviation in mapping, lidar, and precision GNSS.
Top: Long corridor project executed in one continuous flight under a BVLOS waiver. Bottom: The author’s version of what uncrewed aviation full integration will look like.
Maximizing surveying efficiency with Trimble CenterPoint RTX technology
For WGI, a leading engineering and design firm in the United States, commitment to delivering precise and reliable survey data – regardless of location or conditions – is paramount. This dedication allows WGI to serve clients anywhere, anytime, and under any circumstances.
Expecting the unexpected is a key part of a surveyor’s role. Difficult terrains, hardware failures or connectivity issues can trigger a cascade of complications, potentially bringing an entire project to a halt. The imperative to navigate potential obstacles prompted WGI to gear up with the appropriate GNSS tools and ensure its surveyors are always prepared.
CAPTURING RELIABLE SURVEY DATA IS ESSENTIAL
As a leader in technology-based construction solutions, WGI dispatches surveyors nation-
numerous local real-time networks, many of which lack full-constellation support.
Knowing that companies in the public and private sectors responsible for mega-projects rely on solid partners, WGI explored integrating Trimble® CenterPoint® RTX correction service into its surveying tools.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING ACCESS TO THE RIGHT TOOL FOR EVERY JOB
While Trimble’s VRS Now™ correction service ensures consistent uptime and accurate measurements, it is not available everywhere.
wide for various projects, including remote areas with limited infrastructure.
Operating in areas with limited cell coverage often leads to utilizing survey methods that take more time, such as static GNSS missions or setting up a base station at an NGS control point that is inconveniently far from the site.
Traveling outside VRS coverage also means tracking
Following a recommendation from Duncan Parnell and only a one-day trial, Roberto Mantecon, Senior operations manager at WGI, realized CenterPoint RTX could enhance their surveying capabilities beyond VRS-network footprints.
“I took CenterPoint RTX to areas without cell coverage. It lit up immediately and exceeded the precision we had been able to obtain previously. We checked 40-50 NGS benchmarks and had consistent 2 cm accuracy on the vertical,” he says.
Because of how quickly CenterPoint RTX converged to a precise position,
Mantecon was able to cover 200-300 miles in one day – a 30% increase in miles covered per day: “We were able to streamline our operations and in turn had greater efficiency in completing this particular survey.”
“This Trimble RTX system rocks,” Mantecon says, adding that it addresses any challenge, so his teams don’t have to worry about local bases, datums, or finding a local RTN.
“Trimble RTX delivers highly consistent results.”
POWER OF CONFIDENCE WHEN HAVING A FULL ARRAY OF TOOLS TO GET THE JOB DONE
Mantecon and his team have used VRS workflows with Trimble’s RTK network for 15 years. Adding real-time CenterPoint RTX service allowed WGI to have two corrections work in concert, providing a true field advantage.
“With CenterPoint RTX, we capture data within 3 minutes. Static operations would have taken at least 15 minutes per location.”
“The field guys love using CenterPoint RTX – it’s very versatile and with one receiver, they can multitask. This was the immediate answer to what they were looking for.”
For more information about Trimble CenterPoint RTX: rtx.trimble.com
25 2025
Our annual list of Young Geospatial Professionals to Watch takes on a decidedly international flavor this year. As proof that surveying and the geospatial professions are becoming increasingly important worldwide, our list of 25 to watch in 2025 spans the globe from surveyors in Israel to GIS pros in Norway to the African continent to Asia.
Driven by the rapid technological change we are experiencing, geospatial professionals are pushing boundaries no one could have seen even a few years ago. Thousands of young professionals with advanced degrees are pouring into the profession (although we know thousands more are needed) Here are 25 young pros who are making some of these things happen.
CLAIRE BUXTON
ANGELA OMAMUYOVWI ANYAKORA
COMPANY: Sambus Geospatial, Nigeria CURRENT POSITION: Research and Business Development Officer
AGE: 27
AEDUCATION: BS technology, surveying, geo-informatics, Bells University of Technology; MS, geo-information technol ogy, African Regional Institute for Geospatial Information Science and Technology
s a professional in the fields of surveying and geospatial analysis, Anyakora brings a unique blend of technical expertise, attention to detail, and a passion for leveraging spatial data to drive informed decision-making. With extensive experience in surveying and geospatial analysis, she has developed a deep understanding of the value that accurate spatial information brings to a wide range of industries and sectors.
With her experience she has carried out topographic surveys, cadastral mapping, and land development projects, and demonstrated an ability to handle complex surveying tasks with efficiency and precision.
In addition to surveying, her expertise as a geospatial analyst gives her the skills to effectively analyze, interpret, and visualize geospatial data. She uses GIS software to perform spatial analysis, conduct geospatial modeling, and extract meaningful insights from diverse datasets. This enabled her to provide valuable information for decision-makers in fields such as urban planning, environmental management, and infrastructure development.
She serves as vice-chair of the FIG Young Surveyors Network.
COMPANY: McElhanney CURRENT POSITION: Division Manager
AGE: 33 EDUCATION: BS surveying technology University of Otago
Buxton is a multi-talented and well-rounded consultant who has a passion for land rights and sustainable community development. She has 12 years of experience in land development in New Zealand and Canada since graduating from the University of Otago. Buxton’s infectious enthusiasm, passion, and drive for her career inspires her peers.
Now living in British Columbia, Canada, she is gaining work experience from a different perspective. Buxton looks forward to combining her years of experience in land surveying and land development with her academic studies and skills developed through volunteering, into a future in sustainable land development with community at the center, incorporating secure tenure, and sustainable design.
Buxton has been surveying since 2008 in many parts of New Zealand and Canada. Her experience ranges from the Christchurch rebuild post-earthquake in the infrastructure, residential, and geodetic sec-
tors to large infrastructure projects and project management of small residential developments, medium-density residential developments, and large-scale housing developments. A licensed cadastral surveyor since 2017, Buxton has also managed engineering surveying projects, which include high-precision technical advice, legal surveying, client liaising, and bidding and winning work.
She is an active member of the International Federation of Surveyors, most recently as the leader of the Volunteer Community Surveyor Program (VCSP) and as a co-chair of the Women's Access to Land working group. Buxton also volunteers on a working group for the Association of Canada Lands Surveyors' Indigenous Relations Committee, and before moving to Canada she volunteered for the Survey and Spatial New Zealand Young Professionals and Pacific Advisory Group.
TANIA CHAHAL
COMPANY: Dalux CURRENT POSITION: Customer Success Manager
AGE: 38
Chahal is an advocate for expanding the use of technology in the built and geospatial industry to enhance workflows, collaboration, and sustainability. At Dalux she emphasizes the benefits of a holistic visualization of interconnected information, including building information modeling (BIM), reality capture, point clouds, and GIS data.
As a customer success manager, Chahal is supporting all stages of a project from design, through construction to facility management across various sectors, including commercial, residential, and infrastructure.
Chahal is overseeing the implementation and adoption of Dalux on a new subway infrastructure project in Toronto, Canada, which is leveraging several map types and customized zones to manage location-based registrations of the tunnel and stations that are spanning the
EDUCATION: BS civil engineering, University of Waterloo
downtown core. She is working closely with the project digital delivery team on evaluating strategies for quality implementation plans, safety inspection checklists, daily record logs, 360-degree SiteWalks, and drone surveys to maintain consistent metadata for all stations and to align with 3D models and GIS points.
She originally found her love for construction during her co-op terms while completing her civil engineering degree at the University of Waterloo. After 13 years of working in construction management, she decided to pivot her career to the construction technology division. She brings hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the intricacies of a project in order to effectively assist her customers. She enjoys helping stakeholders optimize digital practices for the betterment of the project and looks forward to technology and industry advancements.
KAITLIN
CONSTANTINE
COMPANY: DOWL CURRENT POSITION: Professional Land Surveyor
AGE: 29 EDUCATION: BS civil engineering, University of Nevada-Reno; BS Geomatics, Great Basin College
Constantine is the youngest licensed surveyor in Nevada.
After getting her degree in 2018, she began working in land development. She was recruited into a survey department where she excelled and found her stride. This spurred on her completion of a second degree in land surveying and geomatics from Great Basin College in Elko, Nevada.
Quickly racking up years of experience and passing the required testing, she became the youngest licensed land surveyor in the in 2022. From that point on she has progressed into project management as well as becoming the county surveyor for multiple
CATHERINE D u BRECK
Nevada counties. Her eye for detail and in-depth understanding of regulations have made her a valuable team member and resource in the Nevada surveying community.
In addition to excelling in the workspace, she encourages growth of the industry as evidenced by her position as vice president of the Nevada Young Surveyors. She helps bring fellow young professionals and those interested in entering the surveying field together to create a strong working peer group through meetups. She is also the current treasurer and future president of the Lahontan chapter of the Nevada Association of Land Surveyors.
JANEALE DEAN
COMPANY: Desert Creative Group CURRENT POSITION: President AGE: 34 EDUCATION: Northwest College of Art and Design, double major in Multimedia and Graphic Design
Dean began her entrepreneurial journey in April 2017 when she founded Desert Creative Group. Desert Creative Group began as a full-service creative and marketing agency servicing local, state, national, and international clients with consulting and services centered around strategic marketing, campaign planning, and creative development. Through the years, Desert Creative Group has expanded its offerings to be able to help build the infrastructure businesses need to scale also to include: business development, team building and training, sales and distribution development, data management and insights, and more.
Dean is also passionate about utilizing her skills and expertise to give back to communities and has served on the City of Twin Falls’ Public Art Commission, the Professional Advisory Committee
COMPANY: TRC Companies CURRENT POSITION: GIS Change Management Consultant
AGE: 31
DEDUCATION: MS Geography, University of Western Ontario; BA Geography, the State University of New York at Geneseo; Certificate, Microcredential, AAS GIS Technology from Monroe Community College
uBreck is a dedicated geospatial professional working full-time as a GIS change management consultant. In this role, she guides clients in the utility space through the changes that come with GIS upgrade and implementation projects.
DuBreck also works part-time at Monroe Community College where she has hosted Ask Me Anything sessions with current students and GIS technology program graduates, tutored and mentored current intro GIST students, and promoted MCC’s new GIST programs through online messaging and high school visits. Through this work at MCC, she was selected for several competitive opportunities, including collaborating on a Spanish water quality data mapping app and testing it in Colombia, two professional development travel awards to India and Bangladesh, and a research fellowship in Northern India to
empower communities with geospatial technology.
At night, DuBreck is an intro GIS instructor at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Through this work, she was invited to participate in a GIS teacher training workshop in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2023. She was invited to give the keynote speech on collaborative mapping at the 2024 GIS/SIG Conference and now serves as president-elect of the New York State GIS Association after volunteering with the organization since 2019.
DuBreck has also helped update trail maps for the non-profit “Friends of Webster Trails,” and teach board members QGIS. She received two awards for her contributions to the GIS profession in 2024. Her passion is educating others on the impact geospatial technology has on the world.
Board for Northwest College of Art and Design, the Leadership Council for the National Small Business Association, and several nonprofits’ board of directors. In 2022, she teamed up with the South Central Small Business Development Center to develop and launch Downtown Wheelhouse, an entrepreneur training center and startup incubator, to provide critical resources, mentorship, and community to businesses.
Under her leadership, Desert Creative Group launched North American Distribution for Tersus GNSS as the master distributor for the U.S. and Canada. They will service the geospatial vertical markets with the Tersus portfolio.This will enable the North American market direct access to professional level positioning products and U.S. based sales and aftersales support.
FIRAS FAHOUM
OLAMIPOSI FAGUNLOYE
COMPANY: George State University CURRENT POSITION: Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant AGE: 26
EDUCATION: BS geoscience information system and remoting sensing, Federal University of Technology Akure; MS geological and earth sciences/geosciences, Georgia State University
Fagunloye is a graduate research and teaching assistant at Georgia State University in Atlanta. He also worked as an ESG/sustainability intern at the Wylde Center in Decatur, Georgia; geospatial data analyst and insights intern for the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT); GIS and remote sensing manager at Nigeria Flying Labs; and a climate data analyst at the Center for Space Research and Applications, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
At the Federal University of Technology in Nigeria his undergraduate thesis was Mapping Flood Risk Zones Using a Multi-Criteria Approach and Radar. Olamiposi expects to earn his Master’s in Geosciences with a concentration in geography from Georgia State in December.
Jeremy E. Diem was Olamiposi’s Master’s thesis adviser and his instructor in global climate change in the Department of Geoscienc-
COMPANY: Galilee Surveyors Ltd CURRENT POSITION: Geodetic Engineer and Land Surveyor
AGE: 27 EDUCATION: BS geo-information and mapping engineer, Technion Institute of Technology
F
ahoum is a geodetic engineer and land surveyor at Galilee Surveyors, one of Israel’s top surveying companies. Based in Nof HaGalil, Fahoum ensures quality assurance on major governmental projects, maintaining high standards across national infrastructure initiatives.
He holds a degree in mapping and geo-Information engineering from the Technion Institute of Technology in Haifa and became a certified land surveyor after completing a two-year internship with the Mapping of Israel. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fahoum took on key roles in national emergency projects, including road construction and mapping electricity lines.
In 2020, he was entrusted with leading operations for mapping electricity lines in the Jerusalem Authority region, where he
managed teams, oversaw documentation, and handled contractor payments. His success led to his appointment as head of quality assurance surveying for the Light Rail project between Nazareth and Haifa, a 40-kilometer rail project divided into five segments.
In addition to managing multiple quality assurance sites, including the Port of Haifa, Fahoum uses his projects as study cases to introduce new technologies and methods, improving workflow efficiency and accuracy across the company. He now oversees surveying for the Oil Jetty at the Port of Haifa.
Since starting his career in 2014 as an assistant surveyor, Fahoum has advanced into a key leadership role, known for his technical expertise and innovative approach in Israel’s surveying community.
es at Georgia State. He noted that Olamiposi “has focused his efforts on using geographic information science (GIS) to better understand environmental phenomena. He has taken every GIS course in the department and has excelled in all of them. His thesis, which examines intra-annual variations in urban effects on precipitation, has a heavy GIS component and has the potential to show exactly where precipitation enhancement occurs in the Atlanta region.”
Akpofure Fakpor taught Olamiposi at the Federal University of Technology in Akure and was also his academic advisor and supervisor. “I have had the privilege of witnessing his exceptional dedication, skills, and passion for leveraging geospatial technologies to drive positive change.”
MATTHEW FORREST
COMPANY: Wherobots CURRENT POSITION: Director of Customer Engineering and Product-Led Growth AGE: 36 EDUCATION: BA geography and sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Forrest is a passionate leader in modern GIS, dedicated to empowering others to adopt cutting-edge tools and methodologies in geospatial workflows. With more than 13 years of industry experience, Forrest has established himself as a thought leader who excels in making advanced geospatial concepts accessible and practical for users at all levels. He graduated with a degree in geography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and began his career at CARTO, where he spent eight years honing his expertise in spatial analytics and location intelligence.
In 2024, Forrest joined Wherobots as the director of customer engineering and product-led growth, focusing on enabling customers to leverage scalable spatial processing in the cloud
using Apache Sedona and Wherobots’ powerful platform. In this role, he combines technical guidance with strategic product insights, helping clients unlock the full potential of cloud-native geospatial processing.
Forrest is also a dedicated educator and content creator, sharing his expertise through YouTube videos, LinkedIn posts, and his weekly newsletter. In addition to his regular content, he authored Spatial SQL: A Practical Approach to Modern GIS Using SQL, , a comprehensive guide for those looking to integrate spatial queries into their data workflows. Known for his approachable and insightful teaching style, Forrest is committed to advancing GIS careers and fostering a vibrant, skilled community of modern geospatial professionals.
FOUNDERS OF ATLAS: HARALD RIEBER, FREDRIK MOGER, MARIUS HOFGAARD, AND VEGARD J. LØWE
COMPANY: Atlas CURRENT POSITION: Founders
AGE: 20-something EDUCATION: All three graduated from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology
GIS can now be considered a legacy product, but these guys are trying to make it cool again by promoting browser-based map-making with their Atlas platform. This is a very forward-looking product and could compete with the legacy GIS providers.
These four founded Atlas because they wanted to show the world that it is possible to push the needle on renewables through purely digital solutions. After starting in the renewables sector, Atlas is now launching GIS solutions for many other verticals, like real estate, journalism, and forestry management.
Rieber’s passion is to develop cool things, and this has come in many forms, like creating rock bands, organizing events, and starting Atlas. Before venturing on his mapping journey, Rieber had created a light-show startup. The technical part was alluring, un-
derstanding how things worked, and being able to manipulate the environment to fit the business goal always gave him the feeling that he was the master of his small little universe. The culmination of these passions became Atlas.
Hofgaard enjoys combining his technological interests with the development of renewable energy. He is always interested in hearing perspectives on how GIS can accelerate processes both for the of new renewable energy and other industries.
Moger and Løwe are motivated by constantly striving to be curious, creative, and innovative. Atlas may be the new standard for GIS software. Atlas is for analysts, cartographers, planners, managers, teachers, or anyone who is looking to create a map, analyze geospatial data, or just tell a story.
LUKAS FRASER
COMPANY: Looq AI CURRENT POSITION: Vice President, Product AGE: 31
EDUCATION: BS in geodesy and geomatics engineering, University of New Brunswick
In 2011, Fraser began his journey at the University of New Brunswick, aspiring to become a professional land surveyor. However, after graduation, he embarked on a career in remote sensing, joining a local aerial mapping company. Fraser developed expertise in the collection, processing, and analysis of topographic and topo-bathymetric lidar data, managing projects for both private and government clients. His interactions with project stakeholders and the public release of datasets reinforced his belief in the importance of accurate geospatial information for the success of critical infrastructure projects.
In 2018, he joined NV5, an engineering company, to help launch its drone lidar program. Starting with tasks like establishing workflows, automating data processing, and validating accuracy, he focused on transforming datasets—such as point
COMPANY: Teledyne Geospatial (Optech & Caris) CURRENT POSITION: Team Lead of Customer Support
AGE: 38
G
EDUCATION: MS in geomatics engineering, York University
ao is a highly motivated team lead for customer support with 12 years of experience in translating complex technical solutions into customer-centric strategies. She excels at bridging the gap between technical expertise and business needs, demonstrating a proven ability to identify customer challenges, craft tailored solutions, and drive successful project implementations.
Gao has successfully trained more than 50 clients across more than 10 countries, consistently earning five-star ratings for her training and support, further demonstrating a global reach and the ability to adapt to diverse customer needs. With a robust background in geomatics, remote sensing, and data analysis, Gao is adept at leading teams, managing projects, and delivering high-quality technical support and training.
Gao has contributed on various research and development
projects, including building comprehensive calibration procedure for bathymetrical lidar, enhancing deep-learning models for noise classification, and implementing SLAM for Smart Transportation. She has also participated in the design and integration of a CMOS camera array for the U.S. Air Force and worked on multi-sensor integration for bathymetrical lidar for JALBTCX, Japan Coast Guard, and Chinese Navy.
Gao’s research background, supported by a Master’s in geomatics engineering from York University, includes significant contributions to the fields of geomatics and remote sensing. Notably, she published a research paper on the co-registration of aerial imagery and lidar point clouds in urban environments, showcasing expertise in sensor fusion and image processing techniques. This blend of technical acumen, research experience, and business insight makes Gao an asset in Teledyne Geospatial.
clouds and imagery—into actionable information. Fraser worked his way up to program manager, a role that allowed him to lead and shape the program's direction. While he enjoyed telling people that he "shot lasers from drones" for work, the opportunity to join Looq AI and develop an innovative new geospatial product was too exciting to pass up.
Fraser oversees every stage of development for the company’s innovative AI-powered mapping products, from initial concept to market launch. His mission goes beyond working with point clouds or complex datasets;. he is dedicated to building tools that empower users to work more efficiently, accurately, and affordably. He strives to make geospatial technology accessible and impactful for everyone who depends on it.
YU GAO
FARID HODE
COMPANY: Trimble Inc. CURRENT POSITION: Sales Engineer
MICKEY NG NOK HANG
COMPANY: Lands Department, The Government of the HKSAR
CURRENT POSITION: Land Surveyor AGE: 32 EDUCATION: MS in land surveying and public policy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Ng has a passion for the geospatial sector and his invaluable role as a land surveyor for the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). He has more than 11 years of dedicated experience in engineering surveying, photogrammetry, and remote sensing. Ng has consistently demonstrated commitment to advancing the surveying profession through innovation, academic influence, and community involvement.
He has shown a forward-thinking approach to integrating AI technology into geospatial workflows, setting a new standard for innovation within his department. Notably, he developed a GeoAI methodology for mapping solar panel footprints across Hong Kong using orthophotos, which achieved a commendable accuracy rate of 90 percent.
In addition to his professional role, Ng has contributed meaningfully to academia by serving as an external examiner for a mapping
course at the Vocational Training Council (VTC) since 2022. His involvement has been crucial in bridging industry standards with academic training, ensuring that the curriculum reflects current demands and prepares students effectively for careers in surveying.
Ng’s dedication to the geospatial community is evident through his active participation and leadership in local and international networks. A prominent figure at FIG events, he has published two technical papers and served as a keynote speaker at FIG Working Week 2023, where he shared insights on digital transformation. In 2023, he launched the “Young Leader Series” as the organizing chair, conducting three dialogue events aimed at fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and addressing key issues in housing, public space, and sustainability. These efforts have inspired more than 120 young surveyors, encouraging them to engage with pressing industry topics.
AGE: 25 EDUCATION: BS geomatics engineering, the University of Calgary
Hode began his geospatial career at the University of Calgary, where he gained a strong knowledge of geomatics. As an active member and part of the council of the Geomatics Engineering Student Society, he honed his leadership and collaborative skills. During his studies, he interned as a GIS analyst at an oil and gas company in Southern Alberta, which provided him with real-world experience in spatial analysis and data management.
Upon graduation, Hode participated in a product management internship at Trimble for the monitoring team. In this role, he worked with multiple teams, creating marketing materials, and assisting in the design and testing of new sensor integrations
with monitoring software. Hode also led the efforts to release a comprehensive help portal for the monitoring software, enhancing user experience and accessibility.
Currently, Hode serves as a sales engineer for the monitoring, mining, and tunneling departments at Trimble, with a focus on Latin America. He has showcased cutting-edge Trimble technology in the region, highlighting its transformative potential. Hode also plays a crucial role in training customers and Trimble distributors, ensuring they maximize the benefits of these technologies. Hode is eager to share how geospatial technologies can help increase efficiency and safety in the industry.
NOUR HUSSEIN
COMPANY: Exyn Technologies CURRENT POSITION: Senior Robotics Software Engineer
Hussein is responsible for ensuring the Exyn Nexys mobile mapping solution is capable of collecting the most accurate data possible to inform the mapping and autonomy pipelines. In short, she helps ensure the company’s robots can see where they're going and process data intelligently.
Her primary focus at Exyn is optical and lidar sensor integration and calibration, which allows Exyn software to better align robot telemetry, lidar, and optical data collected during a 3D scan to more accurately generate a precise, feature-rich 3D point cloud
AGE: 28 EDUCATION: MS robotics, BS computer and Information science, University of Pennsylvania
for geospatial professionals.
As a child, Hussein was always interested in technology, taking computers apart (although putting them back together successfully came a little later). She became interested in robotics and AI because of Marvel’s Iron Man comics. After graduation, she started at Exyn, and on day one was handed a camera and was asked to write software to interface with it, Today, Exyn's high levels of point-cloud accuracy and colorization can be traced directly to Hussein.
ANDREA KRUPA
COMPANY: PhotoSat CURRENT POSITION: President and CEO
AGE: 39 EDUCATION: BS therapeutic recreation Douglas College; MS counseling psychology Southwestern College
As president of PhotoSat, an independent company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Krupa has driven operational efficiency, supported new research and design, and formed new partnerships with emerging and existing satellite technology providers. On the personnel side, she has put together a professional team where employees thrive.
Krupa joined PhotoSat in 2015, as the head of marketing, overseeing the growth of the revenue team. In 2019, she became director of sales and marketing and introduced key strategy changes that continue to move the company forward
today. From her academic background in counselling psychology, Krupa is a skilled communicator with a passion for fostering individual development.
PhotoSat specializes in geospatial data processing and is a leader in satellite surveying technology with expertise in mine-site surveying, tailings histories, and alteration mineral mapping. With demand for remote surveying on the rise, PhotoSat is growing and adapting to meet the global demand for satellite-sourced survey and mapping data.
REUBEN C. MAHER
AGE: 21 EDUCATION: TU Dublin
Currently an undergraduate studying Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics, graduating in 2025. Maher has previously completed a 6-month internship with Topcon Positioning Systems where he completed many projects and developed a keen interest and understanding of geospatial surveying. As well as this, Maher worked as a trainee quantity surveyor at Currie & Brown where he had the opportunity to work on a variety of different construction projects around
COMPANY: Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet CURRENT POSITION: Geoprocessing Specialist III
AGE: 30
Lyons is a geoprocessing specialist at the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, where he has spearheaded initiatives across the GIS spectrum, from geospatial data management and enterprise geodatabase maintenance to custom tool development and automation. With a robust skill set in ArcGIS Pro, Python, and remote sensing technologies, Lyons has developed numerous ArcPy scripts that generate custom shapefiles, update databases, and facilitate decision-making for environmental policy.
His previous roles include GIS technician at NV5 Geospatial and engineering technician at Qk4 Incorporated. He has leveraged his expertise to contribute to Kentucky’s environmental objectives, including enhancing GIS workflows for public
COMPANY: Topcon Positioning Systems CURRENT POSITION: Student
Ireland and developed a deep understanding of the construction process from tendering to completion.
His current area of study and interest focuses on green and sustainable building practices and the damaging effects of waste production in construction projects. He hopes to keep exploring more environmentally-friendly building techniques and methods that can help improve the construction industry for the better in the future.
EDUCATION: MS Environmental Studies, Kentucky State University; BS Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Kentucky State University
accessibility through platforms like Box.
Beyond his professional duties, he is an active member of the Kentucky Association of Mapping Professionals (KAMP), where he served as director of the membership committee. He is also dedicated to promoting GIS best practices. He is a two-time cancer survivor, drawing on resilience and a commitment to lifelong learning as he studies for his GISP certification and contributes to the URISA Vanguard Cabinet.
Lyons’ forward-looking projects include developing and automating spatial data workflows. His educational background, with a Master’s in environmental studies, focused on remote sensing and forest health, underscores his dedication to advancing Kentucky’s GIS landscape.
CHRIS LYONS
BRANDON MAINGOT
COMPANY: Teledyne Geospatial CURRENT POSITION: Research Scientist
AGE: 31 EDUCATION: BS in geomatics engineering, University of the West Indies; PhD candidate in Ocean Engineering, University of New Hampshire
Maingot, from Barbados, found his passion for marine sciences naturally shaped by his island roots. His academic journey began at the University of the West Indies, where he pursued a geomatics degree with a focus on hydrography. This foundation earned him a GEBCO scholarship, propelling him to the University of New Hampshire. He participated in ocean mapping expeditions for the U.S. extended continental shelf program, which solidified his commitment to marine data science and led him to pursue a PhD at UNH.
As a doctoral candidate, he has focused on advancing data processing workflows, specifically developing an automated geometric calibration technique for multibeam echosounder
SPENCER M c CUTCHEON, PLS
COMPANY: Elevated Land Surveying CURRENT POSITION: Owner
AGE: 31 EDUCATION: BS geomatics, Utah Valley University; licensed in Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Colorado
McCutcheon is a skilled surveying professional from Idaho Falls, whose career took shape in college when he discovered a passion for boundary and ALTA/NSPS land-title surveys. After earning a degree in geomatics from Utah Valley University in 2020, he quickly achieved licensure, building a strong reputation for expertise in both commercial and residential surveys.
Driven by entrepreneurial spirit, McCutcheon founded Elevated Land Surveying, expanding his services across Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, and Utah. A dedicated industry advocate,
he serves on the state board’s Standards and Ethics and Legislative committees, and nationally as a board member for the Certified Survey Technician, underscoring his commitment to advancing surveying standards.
Outside of work, he treasures family time with his wife and two daughters and is an avid outdoorsman, spending his free hours hunting, fishing, and backpacking. His love for the outdoors harmonizes with his professional life, reflecting his passion for land and community
systems, with results soon to be published. His work bridges the gap between academic research and practical application in marine technology.
Now a research scientist at Teledyne Geospatial, Maingot looks at the seafloor through a different lens, applying his expertise to the development of airborne lidar bathymetric systems like CZMIL. His work aims to enhance the understanding of the seafloor, helping the industry achieve clearer, more accurate bathymetric data and products. Maingot's career is built on a dedication to pushing the boundaries of marine geospatial technologies, contributing to the future of ocean mapping and exploration.
APEKHCHYA SHRESTHA
COMPANY: Trimble CURRENT POSITION: Sales Engineer AGE: 25 EDUCATION: BS in geomatics engineering
Shrestha is a dynamic young professional in the geospatial field, bringing versatile experience across product management for total stations, research and development for Trimble GNSS, product marketing for Trimble Advanced Positioning, and technical support in agricultural systems. Currently, as a sales engineer in mining, tunneling, and monitoring, she tackles complex sector challenges by using cutting-edge geospatial technology to meet industry needs while reducing environmental impacts.
In her role, Shrestha leverages advanced positioning systems and data analytics to optimize mining operations, striving for efficiency and sustainability. Her approach balances performance with responsible practices, helping organizations achieve their goals while minimizing ecological footprints. This blend of innovation and environmental
awareness highlights her commitment to geospatial solutions that serve both industry and planet.
Outside her technical work, Shrestha is committed to mentoring the next generation of geospatial professionals. She participates in initiatives like Construction Girl and works with university programs to help students bridge the gap between academia and industry. Through mentorship, she fosters a supportive environment, empowering emerging talent with the knowledge and confidence to succeed in the field. Her leadership shines through her ability to inspire collaboration and drive positive change in both her workplace and the wider community. Her vision for advancing geospatial technology is rooted in a commitment to sustainable solutions that meet today’s needs while paving the way for a better future.
SHRUTHI
SRINIVASAN
COMPANY: Texas A&M Forest Service CURRENT POSITION: Geospatial Analyst & Lecturer
AGE: 34
SEDUCATION: MS in forestry, Texas A&M University; BE geoinformatics, India
rinivasan is a geospatial analyst, an FAA certified UAV pilot with the Texas A&M Forest Service, and provides geospatial expertise at national-level disasters. As part of the Spatial Solutions group, she performs timely spatial analyses and develops geospatial applications to facilitate informed decision-making in the management and protection of forest resources. She is also a lecturer at Texas A&M University, teaching GIS for resource management.
What excites her the most is being part of preparing the next generation of leaders in conservation science. Previously, she served as the senior remote sensing specialist at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and was responsible for directing and completing a statewide landcover mapping project.
Srinivasan has made substantial contributions to the field of geospatial science from an organizational to a global level. She is among the first group of scientists to conduct a NASA-funded study and developed
innovative algorithms to model above-ground biomass changes using multi-temporal lidar data.
Throughout her 10 years in the geospatial industry, she has built an impressive record of publications with more than 650 citations globally and also serves on the editorial board of several highly acclaimed journals. Her research addresses some of our nation’s most pressing issues in understanding complex software and workflows for landowners, managers, government officials, local community groups, and the general public. She has received multiple awards for her significant work in the field of geospatial science including the Special Achievement in GIS Award from ESRI, Director’s Awards from the Forest Service, and the Distinguished Contribution Award from Women in GIS.
Srinivasan loves mentoring and adding value to the community and had the opportunity to work on projects with GISCorps and Worldwide Fund for Nature-South Africa.
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Troy University
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AND THE USDA
How a federal liaison program and geospatial data help American agriculture
BY BRIAN RABER AND BRETT THOMASSIE
This is the third article in a series focusing on the geospatial trade association called MAPPS. The first article in the February issue was an interview with Kelly Francis, current MAPPS president. The second article in the June issue discussed the MAPPS Federal Agency Liaisons, and its professional relationship with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This article discusses liaison activity with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Geospatial Enterprise Operations (GEO).
WHO IS MAPPS AND WHAT IS THE FEDERAL AGENCY LIAISON PROGRAM?
MAPPS is the national association of private firms whose members are “thought leaders” in professional geospatial services and developing innovative technologies.
Through its Federal Agency Liaison Program, MAPPS has communicated and collaborated with various federal agencies since 2003. Agency liaisons are MAPPS members leading open dialog with government agencies on topics of common interest to MAPPS members, federal agencies, congress, and the geospatial community. Its goals are met through engagement in geospatial education and advocacy, non-partisan legislative affairs, and understanding current agency budgets for existing and new programs contracting opportunities.
USDA GEOSPATIAL MISSION OVERVIEW
Created on May 15, 1862, by President Abraham Lincoln, the USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management. Through its 29 agencies and offices USDA promotes agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our nation’s natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.
The USDA GEO organization is located within the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center (FPAC), providing expertise across the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Risk Management Agency (RMA).
GEO serves the FPAC Mission Area with innovative customer-focused geospatial information and solutions that are accessible, current, and authoritative.
WORLD-CLASS NATURAL RESOURCE GEOSPATIAL DATA
USDA utilizes its PINE Aerial Imagery Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to contract a wide array of high-resolution, vertical imagery, independent of platform, to support various FPAC Geographic Information System (GIS) programs, including but not limited to resource management, conservation programs, crop compliance, and disaster response. The primary imagery programs are:
• National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) is a multi-agency funded, state-based collection program that acquires high-resolution, orthorectified imagery during “leaf-on” peak agricultural growing seasons. The primary product is the four-band Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quadrangle (DOQQ) file.
• National Resources Inventory (NRI) is a site-based program that acquires very high-resolution, orthorectified imagery to support the NRCS National Resources Inventory (NRI) for “land inventory reflecting soil, water, and related resource conditions.”
• Stewardship Lands (SL) is an easement-based collection program that acquires very high-resolution, orthorectified imagery to support the NRCS conservation easement programs. Stewardship Lands easements can range from less than one acre to as large as 16,000 acres.
• Resource projects are an assortment of very high-resolution imagery collection that support various USDA medium-sized imagery programs. Typically, Resource projects collect both stereo and orthorectified imagery to support United States Forest Service (USFS) resource manage-
Example of high-altitude four-band NAIP image.
A high-altitude aircraft for NAIP imagery acquisition.
ment, usually ranger district(s) based.
• Ad hoc and Disaster Support Programs cover diverse small to medium-sized geographic areas, high to very-high resolution imagery ad hoc programs. These ad hoc programs may be as simple as a single space-based small scene or a complex large collection that is a leaf-off or leaf-on cloud patched, tone matched, mosaic dataset.
It must also be recognized that USDA NRCS contributes significant funding each year to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) 3D Elevation Program (3DEP).
FUTURE LEAF-OFF AERIAL IMAGERY PROGRAM
A grassroots effort with other federal agencies is underway investigating state-wide leaf-off aerial imagery. This program would increase federal-state partnerships, reduce duplication, maximize government spending, and obtain greater returns on imagery investments.
USDA GEO would provide program coordination and oversight, contracting, management, and quality assurance. Proposed imagery specifications are being discussed with basic requirements such as: four-band imagery, 30-degree sun angle, 60, 30, and 15 centimeter Ground Sample Distance (GSD), and public domain access. Numerous partner-defined options could also be included.
The National State Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) is actively supporting this investigation by completing an informational survey for leaf-off imagery requirements. Interested parties can provide input on the future program using this QR Code.
Once the “leaf-on” program is ready to launch, MAPPS will be ready to advocate and educate Congress concerning funding and supporting this important USDA GEO program.
MAPPS MEMBERS SERVING USDA GEO
USDA GEO provides private mapping companies project opportunities through their PINE BPA. Firms supporting the current contract are all MAPPS members:
Aero-Graphics, Aerial Services, Hexagon U.S. Federal, Keystone Aerial Surveys, NV5 Geospatial, The Sanborn Map Company, Surdex, a Bowman Company
MAPPS members have also discussed with USDA ways to create and fund NAIP and were a major contributor in the “Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018” (aka Farm Bill) that was signed into law by then-President Trump, which included NAIP funding language. ■
Brian Raber is a past MAPPS president and Federal Agency Liaison Coordinator, and recently retired vice president of Merrick & Company. Brett Thomassie is the MAPPS USDA Liaison and vice president of Federal Business for Surdex, a Bowman Company.
