Abstract & Presenter Information - 2012 Geospatial Conference

Breakout Session Presentations for the 2012 GA

Geospatial Conference, Oct. 17-18, 2012

Description GIS/IT Synergies· How do GIS and IT relate?· Expanding GIS: Can we find analogy w/another technology/service that has been leveraged/integrated with IT (ex., space program investigated pros/cons of trains as an analogy)o focus on embracing/extending GIS vs differentiating?· Teaching GIS: Do we teach GIS and IT in a connected vs disparate fashion?o Ex: Should a GIS person learn ArcGIS server without getting an enterprise IT experience?o Ex: See Long Island University “Online Advanced Certificate in Mobile GIS Applications Development” co-developed and taught by the campus CIO, Computer Science and GIS profs | http://www.directionsmag.com/channels/location-based-services/articles/a-first-in-gis-education-long-island-universitys-online-advanced-certi/257754 · Resources: Any existing white papers/docs re: “GIS as IT”?

Track Other Current and Hot Topics

Phone 404-407-6933

Email [email protected]

Bio As a Senior Research Scientist and GIS Professional, Danielle has established and is directing the GIS@GTRI Program, a Strategic Initiative of the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). During her 2002 – present tenure at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Danielle Ayan wrote a State Bill and Chaired the resulting statewide council (O.C.G.A § 12-5-9 (b)(3) – accomplishing the 2-year mandate in 6-months with 88% county participation, co-managed the Georgia GIS Clearinghouse for 7-years, led and accomplished 10 funded projects totaling over $1.4 million dollars, organized 1 international and 3 statewide GIS-related conferences, offered over 40 professional presentations, including legislative and Keynote addresses, and taught 3 Continuing Education classes. She is currently developing an “Applied Geotechnologies Certificate” Program with Georgia Tech Professional Education. Danielle remains continuously engaged in industry organizations, having held many leadership positions with the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC), the legislatively enacted Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council (GGAC), the Georgia GIS Coordinating Committee (GISCC), the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership (IGEL), URISA International and Georgia Urban Regional Information Systems Association (URISA). Danielle holds M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Geology, minor in GIS & Remote Sensing and a Georgia Tech Institute of Project Management Program certificate.

Job Title Senior Research Scientist and Program Director

Organization GIS@GTRI

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 10:15-10:45 am, Room Q

Full Name Ayan, Danielle

Title: GIS and IT Discussion

Tuesday, October 09, 2012 Page 1 of 31

Description The United States Forest Service (USFS) has done extensive studies of the affects of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use on the streams and surrounding wetlands within its road system. The goal of the USFS studies was to balance the need for public access to the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests with the responsibility to sustain a productive, diverse, and healthy national forest. Using LiDAR data and Object Based Image Analysis (OBIA) techniques, a ruleset was developed to extract the unmaintained, unauthorized, and previously unknown trails in the Beasley Knob area of the Chattahoochee National Forest. This ruleset helped to expose the areas of possible unauthorized OHV trail activity. The results from this pilot project are essential for finding better ways of managing the USFS roads for visitors while protecting sources of clean water. With slight modifications, this ruleset can be applied to other USFS territories to create a semi-automated process for extracting trail networks that USFS is unaware of from other study areas in the national forests.


Phone 706-338-9762


Bio Scott Blackwell is currently a student enrolled at Gainesville State College in the Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree with a concentration in GIS - Remote Sensing. Scott will be graduating in Spring 2013 and hopes to find a position that lends itself to much travel; as he enjoys all things outdoors and any new adventure.

Job Title Student

Organization Gainesville State College

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 10:15-10:45 am, Room Y/Z

Full Name Blackwell, Scott

Title: Mapping of Unauthorized Forest Trail Networks Using LiDAR Data and OBIA

Description Smaller budget, limited resources, higher demands? We will demonstrate how ArcGIS for Local Government can bring value to your organization by deploying multiple targeted, focused applications that help you with a powerful quick win, become more relevant, and support the growing demand for citizen engagement. We will also discuss how the local government information model (LGIM) and your legacy systems can, in fact, coexist. We will highlight Bibb County's case study, to illustrate a real world implementation and example of how your ArcGIS for Local Government can launch next month.


Phone 478-621-6388


Bio Angela Brooks, GIS Coordinator, Bibb County; Natalie Culpepper, Account Executive, Esri; Kevin Stewart, Account Manager, GISi

Job Title GIS Coordinator

Organization Bibb County, GA

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 11:30 am-12 noon, Room T/U

Full Name Brooks, Angela

Title: Your ArcGIS for Local Government Launches Next Month


Description The Census Bureau's Geographic Support System Initiative (GSS-I) is an integrated program of improved address coverage, continual spatial feature updates, and enhanced quality assessment and measurement. A critical component of the GSS-I is our plan to engage in ongoing and continuous geographic data sharing partnerships with state, regional, and local governmental agencies. Our greatest challenge will be acquiring and processing address data received from thousands of local governments, and using that data to update the Census Bureau's Master Address File and Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing System (MAF/TIGER) on an ongoing basis. We are currently developing new tools and processes to complete this work in a way that minimizes the burden on local governments. A major goal of the GSS-I is to facilitate a targeted, rather than complete, address canvassing field operation for the 2020 Census, which will significantly reduce the cost of the Census. This presentation will provide an update on the implementation of the GSS-I, including the status of test counties in the state of Georgia. We will also provide a review of new Census data products and tools that may be of interest to GIS professionals.


Phone 404-331-1339


Bio Donna Bullock is one of four geographers at the Atlanta regional office. Donna is a graduate of Hampton Institute and served her country as a U.S. Army officer for 13 years. Her Census career spans 15 years at the Atlanta regional office where she was involved in numerous regional geographic programs for the 2000 and the 2010 Census. She is an avid walker and Scrabble player.

Job Title Geographer

Organization U.S. Census Bureau

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 3:45-4:15 pm, Room Q

Full Name Bullock, Donna

Title: Census Geographic Support System Initiative in the State of Georgia


Description The National Ecological Framework (NEF) is a geographical information system (GIS) based model of the connectivity of natural landscapes in the lower 48 United States. It was developed to provide a guide for the protection of the natural ecosystem processes that give us clean air, pure water and protected lands and is an update to the Southeastern Ecological Framework (SEF) from 2001. The purpose of the SEF was to develop a mapped data set of ecologically important areas that could be connected with a hub/corridor model. Methodology for the NEF closely followed that of the SEF with a few enhancements and improvements relating to cost surface analysis, connectivity and contiguity analysis. The SEF was created with data and information from the 1992 National Land Cover Database (NLCD) at a scale of 90 meters. The current National Ecological Framework (NEF) began as an update to the SEF with newer NLCD data (2001 through 2010). Increases in technology and data sources, allowed us to increase the resolution from 90 meter resolution (SEF) to 30 meters. Other data sets used in the NEF include USGS Protected Areas, first order stream catchments with natural land cover, US FWS Critical Habitats, Roadless Areas, The Nature Conservancy Portfolios, and a variety of other datasets. Linkages between hubs were developed from a least cost path analysis utilizing a cost surface based on non-renewable energy flow attributed to the 2001 NLCD and 2003 road data. This is a measure of the human disturbance on the landscape. Potential uses for the NEF include: protection of important ecological service; highway planning to minimize ecological disturbance; wetlands mitigation to maximize ecological connectivity; protection of sole source surface water areas; and provide connectivity to help mitigate ecosystem changes due to climate change. Additional data from the National Conservation Easement Database (NCED) became available after the NEF draft was completed. Approximately 85% of the NCED is accounted for by the NEF and the auxiliary connections to the NEF. The datasets covering the lower 48 states are available from EPA Region 4.


Phone 404-876-6450


Bio Dr. Burns received his PhD in ecology from UGA while in a 4 year internship with NASAs Earth Resources Lab at Stennis Space Center. He used GIS technologies with multi-spectral data to map tropical rainforest vegetation communities of the Caribbean National Forest in Puerto Rico. Since then he has worked for EPA on such projects as the Southeastern and National Ecological Frameworks. The National Ecological Framework is now available for conservation planners and natural resource managers for the lower 48 states. The data are at 30 meter resolution.

Job Title Environmental Scientist

Organization US EPA Region 4

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 10:45-11:15 am, Room Y/Z

Full Name Burns, Neil

Title: National Ecological Framework - Spatial Information for Conservation Planning


Description This presentation will focus on the benefits of GIS strategic planning and lessons learned through past projects using our GIS Roadmap process. The GIS RoadMap process has been used for organizations ranging from small local governments, to regional authorities, to State organizations and federal agencies. It has been used across numerous organization types from planning groups to environmental organizations. The GIS RoadMap process is similar to a medical health checkup. In your typical medical health checkup, you visit the Doctor. He asks questions, performs diagnostic tests, analyzes the results and makes recommendations for improving your health. Your overall heath is ranked against your peers. In short, he provides you with a “RoadMap” for improvement. Presentation will include case studies demonstrating this approach to better understand your priorities as an organization, as well as prioritizing needs into a manageable implementation strategy with realistic timelines and budgets. This talk will cover lessons learned from previous strategic planning and needs assessments for local governments, state and federal agencies, as well as the private sector.

Track Technical

Phone 804-317-2433


Bio Mr. Butcher is an accomplished senior manager with 17+ years of success planning, developing, integrating and aligning technologies to meet customer business needs and achieve corporate goals and objectives. As the Asset Management Practice Leader, Ron leads our team of subject matter experts focused on the delivery of GIS and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) solutions required to solve the complex asset management challenges for our local/state government, aviation, and utility clients.

Job Title Asset Management Practice Leader

Organization Timmons Group

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 2-2:30 pm, Room R

Full Name Butcher, Ronald

Title: GIS Strategic Planning: Best Practices and Lessons Learned using the GIS RoadMap process

Description In this 45-minute session about management strategies for making your GIS more relevant/valuable/beneficial to your organization & ready for the twenty-first century, topics will include the following: How to get the most out of the technology you already own; How to expand the influence of your GIS; How to keep your GIS current & adapt it to the latest trends; How to make your GIS an enabling technology; and How to communicate the value of GIS to your organization.

Track Management

Phone 704-541-9810 x8679


Bio Adam Carnow is an Account Executive with Esri's SE Regional Office in Charlotte, NC. He has been with Esri for four years and manages large local government clients in Central & North FL, the Atlanta metropolitan area & the City of Charlotte, NC. His professional experience has been varied, ranging from business and consulting, to academia & training. For twenty years he has been applying GIS & related spatial technologies to complex, award-winning projects across the globe in the realms of planning, transportation & environmental sciences for both the public & private sectors. Mr. Carnow holds a BA in Geography and a MA in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Florida. He has achieved certification as an Urban Planner (AICP) & GIS Professional (GISP). Mr. Carnow has extensive experience in academia & professional education, having taught GIS at the graduate, undergraduate & continuing education levels at the University of South Florida (USF); & for thirteen years as an Esri Authorized Instructor.

Job Title Account Executive

Organization Esri, Inc. - Charlotte, NC

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 2-2:45 pm, Room V/W

Full Name Carnow, Adam

Title: A GIS Survival Guide for the 21st Century (45-min session)


Description With the ever increasing need for design and GIS professionals to share data, it is critical that GIS users be able to make use of data created with AutoCAD or similar software. This presentation will provide a quick overview of CAD file formats as well as the tools and functionality in ArcGIS that will allow users to make use of these files.

Track Technical

Phone 404-861-8588


Bio Tripp Corbin has over twenty years of experience managing surveying, mapping and GIS projects. He is recognized as an industry expert with a variety of geospatial software packages including Esri, Autodesk and Trimble products. He is a very active member of the GIS Community with memberships in Georgia URISA, URISA International, GITA, SAMSOG and many others. Tripp is a URISA International Board and GITA Southeast Board member as well as a GA URISA Past President.

Job Title CEO

Organization eGIS Associates, Inc.

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 11:30-12 noon, Room R

Full Name Corbin, Tripp

Title: Importing CAD Data into ArcGIS


Description The IDAM (Integrated Damage Assessment Model) software allows counties to perform damage assessment functions after a natural disaster in minimum time with documented damage estimates, including standard FEMA forms and reports. The IDAM2 software is preloaded with county GIS and the Tax Assessor database, providing both initial and detailed damage estimates. Laptops, tablets and smart phones used in the field will continually update the system if connected to the internet. If there is no connectivity the system will be updated when the device connects next, or via a USB Flash Drive. Blank FEMA street sheets may also be used in the field if there is no connectivity and this data manually entered into the system later. After creating the new Event, Admin level users can easily click into the maps and use the mouse to draw a polygon on the map, creating the affected area for Estimated Damages. Smaller areas within the affected area can be assigned different levels of damage; either Affected, Minor, Major, or Destroyed. The map will color-code the parcels within the affected area according to the level of damage, indicating Estimated or Actual damages. Throughout the Damage Assessment process the map of the Affected Area continually evolves with changing color-coded parcels for an easy visual of the layout and severity of the disaster. The IDAM2â„¢ database is continually updated to reflect the financial impact of the disaster. All Data, Damage Information and Shape Files (GIS) may be exported from the system. The software also allows for the assignment of Damage Assessment Teams through the map interface. If there is a photo of the property available in the pre-loaded database that may be viewed as the BEFORE photo and while on the property, the user may submit an AFTER photo for increased accuracy and documentation. Users may also drop a pin on the map to report debris piles. Other views of the property are available via links to Bing Maps, Google Earth, and Google Maps & Street View.


Phone 386-801-5249


Bio qPublic developed a Web/GIS Based Rapid Damage Assessment and Data Collection System called IDAM2 which was recently deployed in Florida after Tropical Storm Debby. qPublic, founded in 1999 by Jim Gear, former deputy property appraiser in Volusia and Leon counties FL; Steven Lehr, professor of computer/software/aerospace Engineering at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University; John Cox, nuclear engineer and webmaster; Dr. Tim Olson - PhD in spatial statistics at University of Florida. Steven and John will present the GIS aspects of the IDAM2 software to demonstrate how to quickly obtain damage estimates using tax maps and assessment data. The tool is used for rapid assessments, is a management tool for organizing, collecting and reporting actual damage information, provides the data in GEMA and FEMA Form outputs, stores the data in a relational/spatial format for future analysis and reports, works with mobile devices, and has remote synchronization when there is no internet connectivity.

Job Title VP

Organization qPublic, LLC

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 2-2:30 pm, Room Y/Z

Full Name Cox, John

Title: GIS Solution for Post-Disaster Damage Assessment


Description As GIS professionals, daily business processes have developed their own scope creep. The full time job of data management and maintenance has been replaced by GIS professionals managing new geospatial projects, keeping up with industry best practices and certainly managing expectations. In this session we will explore ways to implement best practices from a management standpoint, retain relevance in an ever changing industry, and look at ways to communicate with the public and your peers.

Track Management

Phone 678-417-1883 X 8702


Bio Natalie Culpepper, a graduate of Georgia College and State University has twelve years experience in Geographic Information Systems. Beginning as a GIS Technician in a startup GIS department and now as an Account Executive for Esri, Mrs. Culpepper has worked extensively on GIS projects focused in local governments across Alabama and Georgia. She has worked as a Project Coordinator, Project Manager, Director of Client Support, and currently works primarily on business development for Esri software and solutions. Mrs. Culpepper is affiliated with several local and national professional associations and remains active in the local GIS community. Beginning in 2001 she served on the Conference Committee for Georgia URISA and served through 2007 as Membership Chair, Vice President, President and Immediate Past President. Mrs. Culpepper is currently a member of the Kennesaw State University Advisory Board, President of GITA SE, and as Secretary of the GISCC. Mrs. Culpepper has also been a member of IAAO, IURISA, SAMSOG, GMA and ACCG and GGAC.

Job Title Account Manager

Organization ESRI

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 1:15-1:45 pm, Room V/W

Full Name Culpepper, Natalie

Title: Managing Projects, Relevance and Leveraging Best Practices in your GIS


Description Bicycle sharing systems are a popular amenity in Europe that is being quickly adopted by American cities. Bicycle sharing systems allow users to rent bicycles from automated docking stations located throughout a city. Users are able to subscribe or pay for daily rentals through automated kiosks. Cities such as Paris and Barcelona have developed large bicycle sharing systems that serve as a tourist amenity and an extension of public transit. As European transportation models are adapted for American cities, GIS analysis can be used for suitability and feasibility analysis. This proposed session is based on a bicycle sharing suitability analysis conducted for the Atlanta/Decatur area. The study was sponsored by the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign, with cooperation from the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Cities of Atlanta and Decatur. The proposed session presentation will include an overview of bicycle sharing systems and the technology that supports them, such as GPS tracking devices and smartphone applications. Next, the session will review the GIS analysis techniques used in the study. Finally, the session will touch on GIS applications for alternative transportation planning. The GIS suitability analysis performed included a raster overlay analysis combining fourteen factors identified as important for bicycle sharing. First, a literature review of previous bicycle share feasibility studies was performed. Weighted factors were used in order to apply relative values to each variable. Following the conceptual model of transportation planning, suitability factors were divided into trip origins, destinations, and transportation network factors. All of the suitability factors were rasterized and overlayed in order to create a â€œheat mapâ€• of areas most suitable for bicycle sharing service. GIS analysis was also used in the financial feasibility component of the analysis. After the target service area was created, a demographic analysis of jobs and population within the service area was calculated. Forecasted resident and worker participation rates were applied using data from bikeshare providers in other US cities. Finally, web based GIS tools were created for the public outreach component of the study. Using ArcGIS Online hosted feature services, an online map was created to solicit public input on desired station locations.


Phone 404-493-9746


Bio Osman Ercin, AICP, is a planner working for Robert and Company in Atlanta. Mr. Ercin has a Masters in City and Regional Planning from Georgia Tech

Job Title Senior Planner

Organization Robert and Company

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 11:30-12 noon, Room Y/Z

Full Name Ercin, Osman

Title: Bicycle Share Suitability Analysis


Description Fulton County Water Resources uses CCTV to inspect their collection system and identify pipeline defects in PACP format. This presentation gives details about the work flows and data that Water Resources has implemented and the business processes that lead to system repairs. Fulton County Water Resources is aggressively working to reduce Infill and Infiltration into the system and reduction of SSO events. The CCTV program is a key component of success in reducing system failures.

Track Management

Phone 404-612-0638


Bio Mr. Gowens is the GIS Manager for the Water Resources Department of Fulton County. He holds a Master of Geography degree from Georgia State University and has over 10 years of diverse experience in GIS. His current role at the water utility brings an excellent challenge of integrating GIS into the many facets of engineering, surveying, and maintenance operations that are critical to successfully serving water customers and the environment. In his spare time, Colin may be found on steep slopes atop a mountain bike, in hiking boots, or encouraging his twin daughters to keep climbing to the summit.

Job Title GIS Manager

Organization Fulton County Water Resources

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 10:45-11:15 am, Room V/W

Full Name Gowens, Colin

Title: Using GIS and CCTV to Mitigate Sewer System Overflows

Description The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a framework (the National Incident Management System or NIMS) for emergency and disaster management and mitigation. This system is scalable, flexible and standardized. Cherokee County incorporates GIS in planning, incident management, and the recovery phases.

Track Management

Phone 404-579-6441


Bio Tamarin Gullett-Tyrrell is a Geospatial Analyst with the Cherokee County GIS Department. She is a native of South Africa who has been living in the metro Atlanta area since 2000. She received her Bachelors Degree in GIS from Kennesaw State University. Her work is focused on Addressing and the Public Safety Departments.

Job Title Geospatial Analyst

Organization Cherokee County GIS

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 11:30-12 noon,Room V/W

Full Name Gullett-Tyrrell, Tamarin

Title: The Role of GIS in The National Incident Management System


Description The City of Fayetteville acquired the PK Dixon Homestead, a 300+ acre tract of land with the intent of creating a green space multi-use trail system. This presentation outlines how GIS was used in the process of developing the design concept for the trails system in conjunction with the City’s Planning Department.

Track Management

Phone 770-719-4178 (office) 770-576-5024 (cell)


Bio Lynn Hale is the GIS Technician / Planner for the City of Fayetteville. She has been with the City of Fayetteville for 6 years, and has functioned as the City’s Planner since October 2011. Lynn received her GIS Professional Certification from Georgia State University in 2004 concurrently with her MA in Anthropology. She is the 2012 Georgia URISA Vice President.

Job Title GIS Technician / Planner

Organization City of Fayetteville

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 1:15-1:45 pm, Room Y/Z

Full Name Hale, Lynn

Title: Homestead to Hiking Trail: Developing an Urban Greenspace

Description OpenStreetMap is a freely editable map of the world that is often called the "wikipedia of maps". Users from around the world contribute, edit, and upload data to create a freely available map and database. Many organizations (both commercial and public) are starting to use the map as an alternative to commercial applications. This presentation will cover the basics or OpenStreetMap and how you can contribute and use the data. OpenTripPlanner (OTP) is an open source multi-modal trip planner which was deployed in Chattanooga Tennessee during an OpenData Hackathon event. OpenStreetMap was used to provide street centerline data and knowledge of bike paths was contributed by Chattanoogas biking community. Currently, users of the application can route themselves through town using bicycles, public transportation, and walking.

Track Technical

Phone 423-653-3611


Bio Randal Hale, GISP, is owner/operator of North River Geographic Systems, Inc. He serves on the Board of Georgia URISA and OpenStreetMap US. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University Of Tennessee in Geology.

Job Title Analyst

Organization North River Geographic Systems, Inc.

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 1:15-1:45 pm, Room R

Full Name Hale, Randal

Title: Introduction to OpenStreetmap


Description OpenTripPlanner (OTP) is an open source multi-modal trip planner which was deployed in Chattanooga Tennessee during an OpenData Hackathon event. OpenStreetMap was used to provide street centerline data and knowledge of bike paths was contributed by Chattanoogas biking community. Currently, users of the application can route themselves through town using bicycles, public transportation, and walking.

Track Technical

Phone 423-653-3611


Bio Randal Hale, GISP, is owner/operator of North River Geographic Systems, Inc. He serves on the Board of Georgia URISA and OpenStreetMap US. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University Of Tennessee in Geology.

Job Title Analyst

Organization North River Geographic Systems, Inc.

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 10:15-10:45 pm, Room V/W

Full Name Hale, Randal

Title: Introduction to OpenTripPlanner


Description Integrated Pollutant Source Identification (IPSI) is a geographic database and set of tools designed to aid citizens and planners in implementing water quality improvement and protection projects within a watershed. This nonpoint pollutant source (NPS) inventory is also designed to aid water quality agencies in implementing the water-quality-based approach to pollution control. The geographic database consists of information on watershed features, such as land use and land cover, stream bank erosion sites, and livestock operations that are known or suspected sources of nonpoint pollution. The information is generated by interpretation of aerial photography and is used to develop pollutant loading models. This presentation will relate a case study of Oostanaula Creek Watershed in McMinn and Monroe Counties in Tennessee, where an NPS inventory was completed and used to develop Oostanaula Creek Watershed Restoration Plan. Designed to meet the TMDL target reductions in pollutant loads and to restore the water quality in Oostanaula Creek to full designated use, the core of the plan is directed toward the use of best management practices. Using the NPS Assessment to identify priority sites for remediation and running what if scenarios to estimate the amount of reduction in pollutant load, BMPs are being designed and installed to remove pathogens from livestock sources, siltation from urban and agricultural sources, and phosphorus from urban sources. Of great importance to this project is the partnership that has been built among more than 12 Federal, State, and local agencies and groups that, since 2001, have worked cooperatively to: a) Install approximately 80 BMPs to reduce sediment and pathogen loading caused by agricultural activities; b) Implement a water quality monitoring plan to provide baseline data, identify causes and sources, track improvements, and refocus efforts when indicated; c) Provide numerous audiences in the watershed with programs, hands-on learning opportunities, multi-media publications, d) Reduce wastewater impacts from wet-weather overflows by 99%; and e)Hold Growth Readiness Workshops with movers and shakers, leading to rewriting code and ordinances, new focus on use of Low Impact Development, improved cooperation between urban and agricultural partners.

Track Technical

Phone 423-751-2870


Bio Patricia Hamlett holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Geography with concentrations in GIS and Remote Sensing. Prior to going to work for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), she spent several years at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, developing processes for using geospatial data for resolving environmental problems. As part of the GIS organization at TVA, she has spent the last twelve years working with various imagery types, and GIS processes for use with environmental issues, including wetland identification, aquatic vegetation mapping, and land use based concerns. A large part of her work has been locating and quantifying nonpoint pollutant sources to facilitate remediation within watersheds. Ms. Hamlett is a certified geographic information systems professional (GISP).

Job Title Senior Image Analyst

Organization Tennessee Valley Authority

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 3:45-4:15 pm, Room R

Full Name Hamlett, Patricia

Title: IPSI-- A Landscape Tool Used for Watershed Restoration in Oostanaula Creek, TN


Description Mobile scanning is a fairly new technology in the world of GIS and Surveying. Static scanning has been utilized for many types of surveys for 15 plus years. Google has been using the mobile (view) mapping for several years to give us "Street Views"•. This combines post processed GPS kinematic positions with 360 degree images to give the ability to see the view from a position chosen from almost any road in America and in some places internationally. Mobile Scanning combines these two technologies to provide images with very accurate 3-D data. A point cloud can be geo-referenced to the image with accuracies from one to seven centimeters, depending on the job requirements, and allows for extraction of the GIS or Survey data needed. With advancements in GIS and CAD software over the last few years, this data has become extremely accessible and useful to the GIS and Survey communities. This technology not only makes collecting the data fast, it also makes it extremely safe. No need to enter a busy roadway with a handheld device to collect a single position for the corner of a complicated structure.

Track Technical

Phone 770-365-5040


Bio Registered Land Surveyor GA2311. Worked on various survey projects for 20 years including prliminary surveying for Highway design and worked on several highway construction projects. Worked for Topcon, Ashtech and Tripod Data Systems (Trimble) in sales and traing capacities.

Job Title System Specialist

Organization Earl Dudley, Inc.

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 1:15-1:45 pm, Room R

Full Name Harris, Pat

Title: Mobile Scanning in GIS and Survey


Description Common geospatial data is essential to increasing the resilience of our Nation's infrastructure. Since 2002, the HIFLD WG, a model of good government that fosters partnerships, has collaborated to improve the collection, processing, sharing, and protection of geospatial infrastructure data. The HIFLD WG is comprised of four official members - the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Protection & Programs Directorate Office of Infrastructure Protection Office of Infrastructure Protection (NPPD/IP), the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense & Americas Security Affairs (OASD HD&ASA), the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Office of Americas (PM), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Geospatial Program Office (GPO). The HIFLD WG currently has more than 4,500 contributing partners across the Infrastructure Protection (IP), Homeland Defense/Homeland Security (HD/HLS), and Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery (EPR&R) mission areas that are concurrently working toward common "best of breed" processes, improved Homeland Security Infrastructure Program (HSIP) datasets, other infrastructure data and related technologies. The HIFLD to the Regions (HTTR) effort is advancing the success of the national level HIFLD Working Group by deploying a similar capability into the DHS Protective Security Advisor (PSA) Areas. HTTR's focus is to support State and Local priorities and issues to extend awareness and reach of federal IP resources, enhance regional geospatial collaboration and information sharing activities, and strengthen Federal, State, Local and Private Sector Partnerships. Topics will include an overview of the HIFLD WG, HTTR, 2012 updates to the Homeland Security Infrastructure Program (HSIP) Gold and Freedom datasets, the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN), Common Operational Picture (COP) Viewers and Web Mapping Services (WMS), and other information sharing capabilities and geospatial resources being made available to homeland security and emergency management mission partners for the protection of our nation's key resources and critical infrastructure.


Phone 678-277-2702


Bio Robin Hoban serves as an Information Exchange Broker (IEB) on the Homeland Infrastructure Foundation Level Data (HIFLD) to the Regions program. Key clients on the HIFLD program include the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and the US Geological Survey. Robin is a consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, and she has been involved in the surveying, mapping and GIS field in various capacities for more than 20 years. Prior to joining Booz Allen, Robin worked for Fugro EarthData and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Robin resides in the Atlanta area, and she enjoys being active in the GIS community in Georgia.

Job Title Information Exchange Broker

Organization Homeland Infrastructure Foundation Level Data

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 3-3:30 pm, Room R

Full Name Hoban, Robin

Title: Homeland Infrastructure Foundation Level Data (HIFLD) Program Updates


Description Columbia County Georgia acquired Earthmine 3D street-level imagery in 2011 and has had measurable successes with its utilization. Deployed county-wide, the ability to overlay GIS point and line data has allowed non-GIS experts the ability to use GIS for analysis that is not possible with orthophotography. Some of the departments that have benefited are the County Administration and Commissioners, GIS and Addressing, Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Departments, Road Construction and Maintenance, Tax Assessor's Office, 311, Emergency Management, Broadband Utility, and Property Acquisition. Traditional field surveys are being enhanced by preplanning measurements in the office, therefore saving staff time, promoting efficiency of vehicle usage, minimizing impact to traffic, and enhancing communication between field crews and dispatch. The ability to overlay GIS data in ArcMap allows GIS staff to verify and enhance inventories of assets. Columbia County has found that adding street-level imagery has resulted in significant efficiencies and has enhanced county records with a complete time-stamped inventory of 1,100 miles of roadway.

Track Management

Phone 706-868-3421


Bio Mary has been the GIS Manager for Columbia County Georgia since 2004. She has her GISP, is an Esri Certified Training Partner and has her ArcGIS Desktop Associate certification. She has been a part-time GIS professor at Augusta State University since 2003. Before Columbia County, she worked for Federal and State government agencies as well as a GIS software and consulting company. She has used GIS technology since 1995.

Job Title GIS Manager

Organization Columbia County Board of Commissioners

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 3-3:30 pm, Room V/W

Full Name Howard, Mary

Title: Successes Integrating Earthmine Street-level 3D Imagery with GIS in County Government

Description This is a 25 slide ppt describing "What we are doing in Stormwater Division" at Gwinnett Co DWR. It includes a review and an update on the (GIS) integration of Strategic Asset Management Plan for Conduits, and describes how the stormwater division uses GIS in daily work and how we use data from other county departments to optimize our utility to the county.


Phone 678-376-6719


Bio Karen works in the GIS section of the Stormwater Division of Gwinnett County.

Job Title GIS Associate III

Organization Gwinnett County DWR Stormwater

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 3-3:30 pm, Room Q

Full Name Lougee, Karen

Title: Water You Doing in Stormwater at Gwinnett Co. DWR?


Description This presentation will provide an overview of how to use The National Map Viewer http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ for data visualization and download of USGS's digital data products including US Topo, Historic Topo Maps, USGS Map Indices, Orthoimagery, Elevation, Hydrography, Land Cover, Boundaries, Transportation, Structures, and Geographic Names. A variety of new Web map services are also available to add directly into ArcGIS or Google Earth from The National Map Viewer.


Phone 770-903-9150


Bio BA in Geography, Ga. State University. 32 years with the U.S. Geological Survey with 25 years working in GIS and related science. The last 5 years as the Geospatial Liaison for GA and TN.

Job Title Geospatial Liaison

Organization U.S. Geological Survey

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 3:45-4:15 pm, Room V/W

Full Name McFadden, Keith

Title: The National Map Viewer

Description US Topo is the new generation of digital topographic maps from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Arranged in the traditional 7.5-minute quadrangle format, digital US Topo maps look and feel like the traditional paper topographic maps for which the USGS is so well known. At the same time, US Topo maps provide modern technical advantages that support wider and faster public distribution and enable basic, on-screen geographic analysis. US Topo maps are available free on the Web through the USGS Store (http://store.usgs.gov). Each map quadrangle is constructed in PDF format with geospatial extensions (GeoPDF) format from key layers of geographic data -- orthoimagery, roads, geographic names, contours, and hydrographic features -- found in The National Map (http://nationalmap.gov). The National Map is a nationwide collection of integrated data from local, State, Federal, and other sources. The most recent US Topos include boundaries and woodland. USGS has also scanned all scales and all editions of the approximately 250,000 topographic maps published by the USGS since 1884. These high-quality 600 DPI scans are geo-referenced and delivered in a compressed GeoPDF format at the USGS Store (http://store.usgs.gov) or through The National Map viewer.


Phone 770-903-9150


Bio BA in Geography, Ga. State University. 32 years with the U.S. Geological Survey with 25 years working in GIS and related science. The last 5 years as the Geospatial Liaison for GA and TN.

Job Title Geospatial Liaison

Organization U.S. Geological Survey

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 2-2:30 pm, Room Q

Full Name McFadden, Keith

Title: USGS Topographic Map Products: US Topo and Historical Map Collection


Description The district executive’s main priorities are to grow the scouting program by means of recruiting, fundraising, and development of new troops within the designated districts. The analysis presented in this presentation has been developed to help create a more strategic approach when making critical decisions, regarding unit placement and recruitment; ultimately helping one make decisions that will ensure sustainability for existing units while maximizing unit numbers within a district. The main ways district executives do this is through recruiting at schools and persuading those that create units to do so in central locations relative to the schools.


Phone 770-823-8892


Bio Clinton McFall was born in April 1990 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin before his family relocated to Covington Georgia in late 1993. As I grew up I acquired an interest in how things worked, how massive structures were constructed, how the tallest building in the world didn't topple over. After I graduated high school I decided to go to college and major in Civil Engineering. This is where I learned about the GIS field and how useful it would be for a civil engineer to have a background in GIS. I am currently at Kennesaw State University acquiring a Certificate in GIS and plan on completing my college career by obtaining a degree in Geo-technical Engineering.

Job Title Student

Organization Intern at Newton County GIS

Time and Location:

Thur, Oct. 18, 1:15-1:45 pm, Room Q

Full Name McFall, Clinton

Title: BSA Yellow River District

Description The affordability, access, and quality of higher education in the U.S. is a topic of concern for many. This study will analyze the cost, completion rates, and student debt associated with each institution of higher education in the United States since 2000. GIS is a powerful tool to analyze trends and patterns in the data, and an animation of changes by location and time indicates some potentially ominous concerns for our future. With student debt recently surpassing credit card debt in the U.S., and bankruptcy laws amended to prohibit dismissal of student loan debt this could leave many students in a financial predicament. This study analyzes whether that student loan debt burden is disproportionately impacting a particular region, type of institution, or group as the demand and importance of education for employment continues to grow.


Phone 706-367-5115


Bio Dr. Jamie D. Mitchem, GISP, is an Associate Professor of Geography/GIS in the Institute of Environmental and Spatial Analysis in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at Gainesville State College in Gainesville, GA. He teaches GIS, meteorology, and geography courses, and his research interests include hazards geography and applications of GIS particularly in environmental studies and social sciences. He is the former coordinator of the 3Rivers HAZUS User Group, and he taught GIS and Earth Sciences for 4 years at California University of Pennsylvania before coming to Gainesville State College. Dr. Mitchem received a B.S. in geophysics at the University of South Carolina (1998), an M.S. in meteorology from North Carolina State University (2000), and a Ph.D. in geography from the University of South Carolina (2004).

Job Title Associate Professor of Geography/GIS

Organization Institute of Environmental and Spatial Analysis (IESA), Gainesville State College

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 1:15-1:45 pm, Room Y/Z

Full Name Mitchem, Jamie

Title: GIS Analysis of Trends in Higher Education in the U.S. During the 21st Century


Description Gainesville is located in Northeast Georgia in the outer suburbs of Atlanta and on the shores of Lake Sidney Lanier, which is the primary source of water for the metropolitan Atlanta area. A 30cm spatial resolution land cover has been derived for the city of Gainesville using four band CIR aerial imagery and 1 meter post spacing LiDAR. This land cover has been derived using Geographic Object Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) techniques using rule-sets created on eCognition software. This high spatial land cover map of the city of Gainesville provides the basis for several valuable products, which are extremely useful for city planners. The percent impervious surface per parcel has been estimated and forms the basis for a storm water utility tax that the cities in the region are considering implementing. This creates another need for the up keep and accuracy of parcels for a city to do this study accurately. The increasing impervious surface in the Lake Lanier watershed is starting to cause increased flooding and stream scour that can be ameliorated by better storm water utility infrastructure and this work provides preliminary estimates of the revenue that can be generated to this end for this study area. The urban tree canopy per parcel and for the entire city has also been estimated and this has implications for water treatment costs.


Phone 678-977-4625


Bio Josh is a senior at Gainesville State College, where he servers as a TA for junior and senior level courses. He currently serves as the Vice President for the Geospatial Alliance Club. He has taken up a strong intrest in Object Based Image Anaylsis and is looking at further increasing its use in classes. He placed second in the National GeoTech GTCM and is looking at moving into Graduate school in the near future.

Job Title Student


Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 9:30-10 am, Room Y/Z

Full Name Nolan, Joshua

Title: GEOBIA Derives Impervious Surface and Urban Tree Canopy for Gainesville, GA


Description Major quantity of soil and plant available water is lost by evapotranspiration (ET). Most Irrigation scheduling for crop is conducted based on ET. The loss of water due to ET varies with different crops including horticultural plants. It is difficult to estimate ET for large orchards. Remote sensing the proven ability to measure stomatal conductance, soil moisture, leaf area index (LAI), and plant canopy temperature on a spatial basis. These hydrologic attributes together can be modeled to estimate ET. The objectives of this study is to i) estimate LAI of a blueberry orchard (Z-Blu Farm) and surrounding windbreaker forest cover using 4-band National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP); ii) conduct the orchard speciation using Object-based Image Analysis (OBIA) technique; and iii) correlate the LAI to different species present in the orchard. The LAI raster was developed using the modeling equation (LAI = -ln (SAVI + 0.371) / 0.48) developed by Schultz and Engman (2000) in IDRISI Taiga. The orchard speciation was conducted using the OBIA technique in eCognition software. Rule sets were developed using study area i) land-use spectral characteristics obtained from the NDVI, green vegetation index (GVI), soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), and modified SAVI, ii) plant height characteristics obtained from the LiDAR nDSM developed with QTModeler software, and iii) shape geometry (length/width, asymmetry, compactness, etc.). The blueberry orchard (Z-Blu Farm) segmentation was completed using Multiresolution segmentation tool with the rule sets. The study area segmented raster contained classes of different growth stage (age) blueberry plants of two varieties, rabbit eye and high bush, grass, bare soil, waterbodies, pine, and other forest trees. Finally, a raster correlation analysis was conducted in IDRISI Taiga using the study area species segmented raster and the LAI raster to observe the accuracy of the LAI model. It was observed that a strong correlation existed between the land-use types (different orchard species forest plants, grass) and the LAI. The study proved that plant LAI can be calculated using remotely sensed data and advanced geospatial technology. Future studies will determine plant stomatal conductance, canopy temperature, and soil moisture using remotely sensed imagery of the study area.

Track Technical

Phone 678-507-4033


Bio Dr. Panda is the associate Professor, GIS/Environmental Science in the Institute of Environmental Spatial Analysis of Gainesville State College, Oakwood, GA. His basic teaching and research background is in the area of precision agriculture, renewable energy, soil and water engineering, environmental modeling, data and image mining, artificial intelligence, and geospatial technology. He is doing research in geospatial technology, data mining, and artificial intelligence application in agriculture and environmental resource management for last 17 years. He is an expert in environmental geospatial modeling.

Job Title Associate Professor


Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 10:15-10:45 am, Room R

Full Name Panda, Sudhanshu

Title: Orchard LAI Estimation and Land-use Correlation using Geospatial Technology


Description Nathan Roberson has been an Account Manager with TerraGo Technologies in Atlanta, GA for 3 years. Prior to coming on board with TerraGo, Nathan spent several years exploring the geographical trends and landscapes of Southeast Asia while living in the Philippines. His expertise is in helping GIS departments and organizations more efficiently tailor their GeoPDF applications to fit their GIS specific workflows.


Phone 678-391-9790


Bio Nathan Roberson has been an Account Manager with TerraGo Technologies in Atlanta, GA for 3 years. Prior to coming on board with TerraGo, Nathan spent several years exploring the geographical trends and landscapes of Southeast Asia while living in the Philippines. His expertise is in helping GIS departments and organizations more efficiently tailor their GeoPDF applications to fit their GIS specific workflows.


Organization TerraGo Technologies

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 11:30-12 noon, Room Q

Full Name Roberson, Nathan

Title: Exploring GIS Workflow Efficiencies Through TerraGo GeoPDF Applications

Description Cloud GIS is creating an opportunity for GIS to be a platform for everyone in multiple ways. It is changing the way that GIS is implemented in an organization. It breaks down traditional barriers and creates new opportunities for sharing and collaboration. This session introduces ArcGIS Online and demonstrates how it extends the reach of the ArcGIS system to more effectively connect all knowledge workers in an organization as well as citizens in a meaningful way.

Track Technical

Phone 704-541-9810 X 8636


Bio Artie is a GIS Solutions Engineer for the Esri-Charlotte regional office. He supports engagements around the Southeast, particularly Local Government and Land Records. Artie has 15 years of GIS experience, and started with ESRI in 1999.

Job Title GIS Solutions Engineer

Organization ESRI

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 2-2:30 pm, Room R

Full Name Robinson, Artie

Title: ArcGIS Online: A new paradigm for GIS


Description The traditional web-GIS viewer has had its place over the years in disseminating GIS data within your organization and to public constituents. Although the web-GIS viewer will continue to serve end users well, an evolution is occurring in spatial data delivery architecture and user design that will change the way GIS/IT administrators deliver applications, tools, and data to their end users. The purpose of this session is to explore a workflow based approach to building and delivering web-GIS applications that specifically caters to business process within your organization. It will also offer a perspective on trends seen in relation to ArcGIS Server and REST technology, and client side visualization technologies such as Flex, Silverlight, and HTML5. (All of which you may already be considering within the bounds of your ArcGIS Server projects). Cobb County Georgia is actively making use of Workflow technology to deliver purposeful applets to the many service groups within Cobb County, from Public Access, to Property Appraisal, to 911 Dispatch. Cobb County will outline how the implementation of WorkFlow into their GIS applications leads to providing better service to the citizens of Cobb County.

Track Technical

Phone 226-929-6850


Bio Craig Robinson, Latitude Geographics Craig Robinson has worked in the GIS industry for over 20 years as an analyst, developer and manager. Craig has worked in many business verticals throughout his career including natural resources, consulting and government. Craig is currently an Account Manager with Latitude Geographics, developers of Geocortex web-based mapping software. Charles Fail has been with Cobb County Information Services for 25 years. For the past 8 years he has been the lead for the GIS division’s Enterprise SQL Server Database and Web Mapping initiatives.


Organization Latitude Geographics Group Ltd

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 9:30-10 am, Room R

Full Name Robinson, Craig

Title: Using "Workflow Modeling" for Purpose Built Web GIS Solutions

Description How do surveyors easily collect field data and integrate it with ESRI office software? Topcon has recently announced a complete new line of Office, Cloud and Field software that allows measurement professionals to easily integrate their data with ESRI. In this class we will give an introduction to how data can be collected in the field, pushed up to Topcon Enterprise (in the cloud) in a shape file format, and then pulled out of the cloud and placed into ESRI's office software. This new and exciting way to capture data allows the survey professional to integrate more closely and easily with GIS software, while maintaining the accuracy and data control they have come to expect from their survey equipment.

Track Technical

Phone 770-265-5629


Bio Technical sales and support for the survey industry for twenty five years.

Job Title System Specialist

Organization Earl Dudley, Inc.

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 11-11:30 am, Room R

Full Name Ruel, Peter

Title: Magnet Survey Field Software Integration with ESRI GIS


Description This presentation is a technical overview of Mobile Mapping; an evolving technology that is becoming more and more in demand throughout the GIS industry, replacing traditional ground control survey. Mobile Mapping survey solutions are designed for collecting engineering/survey-grade LiDAR data over large areas where surveys are impractical with static LiDAR sensors and require an accuracy and resolution exceeding those available from airborne technologies. It provides a remarkable capability for the rapid 3D mapping of highways, infrastructure, and buildings using vehicle-mounted lasers and 5mp digital video cameras. Traveling at normal road speeds, day or night, the system offers a 360° field of view with high-precision mapping to very long ranges. Capturing every detail along a highway corridor--including road barriers, cracks in the road surface, ditches, and overhead wires--surveyors can create highly accurate 3D digital models for new planning, road maintenance, wide load route assessment, and asset management application such as - Analysis of road infrastructure - Location of encroaching overhead wires, light poles, road signs, etc. - Bridge structure and overhead clearances - Road surface conditions - Complete asset management for cities and counties The LiDAR is supplemented with imagery and provides an alternative means of acquiring data for a broad range of applications such as civil engineering, city planning, transportation planning/maintenance, etc. With systems delivering better than 5cm accuracy and resolutions of up to 1cm, Mobile Mapping products and services offer unprecedented 3D detail from a vehicle moving at speeds up to 60mph. The presentation discusses mobile mapping components, procedures, requirements, end products, applications and accuracies that can be achieved.


Phone 321-613-2809


Bio Ms. Sapeta's experience in the Geographical Information System (GIS) industry spans over 25 years and includes a technical foundation as well as 17 years as a full life-cycle program manager. Her management and technical abilities are affirmed by her certifications; Certified Photogrammetrist (CP), Project Management Professional (PMP), and GIS Professional (GISP). She is recognized for her exceptional skills and experience in all aspects of GIS and photogrammetric mapping, including planimetric, thematic, and topographic mapping; aerial and mobile LiDAR; Satellite imagery; digital orthoimagery; and digital camera technology. She is a published author and holds a Bachelors of Science in Geology. Ms. Sapeta provides customer service to strategic State and local government customers, and has managed several County projects throughout the State of Georgia.

Job Title Director Strategic Accounts

Organization Sanborn

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 2-2:30 pm, Room Y/Z

Full Name Sapeta, Krysia

Title: The Newest Power of Light


Description Geographic Object Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) is a recent and the only viable technique for high spatial resolution mapping by fusing spatial and spectral data from different sensors like LiDAR and multispectral orthoimagery. Traditional pixel based techniques are inadequate to simultaneously process data from multiple sensors to produce high spatial resolution maps. Gainesville State College is one of the very few programs nationwide that have effectively integrated GEOBIA in undergraduate teaching and research. USGS-ARRA funds have been used to collect LiDAR and Orthoimagery for large regions of North Georgia and a range of pilot projects have been performed by students that are in the process of being scaled up. The recent advent of free high-resolution massive datasets are both a mapping challenge and an opportunity that can only be met by a GEOBIA literate workforce. The issues involved in implementing GEOBIA teaching, learning and project workflows will be discussed along with the economic similitude of the geospatial products produced. Selected case studies of high spatial resolution mapping in the North Georgia region will be presented.

Track Technical

Phone 678-717-3812


Bio JB is a faculty member in the Institute for Environmental Spatial Analysis (IESA) at Gainesville State College, where he teaches courses in remote sensing. He has a special interest in GEOBIA techniques for high spatial resolution mapping with multisensor fusion. He is also interested in geo-spatial modeling and remote sensing education issues.

Job Title Professor and Eminent Scholar


Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 3-3:30 pm, Room R

Full Name Sharma, J.B.

Title: GEOBIA based Multisensor Fusion Mapping Applications For North Georgia

Description One of the most important tools in transportation planning is the ability to forecast travel patterns. Through the use of origination-destination data, planners can model likely travel patterns between where commuters live and work. The trips taken to and from work usually occur during the morning and evening peak hours, when the roadways tend to be the most congested. Modeling the work commute enables planners to identify the duration and extent of roadway congestion, existing and future needs, and to identify potential multimodal transportation improvements that may be implemented to address those needs. Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) is a program offered from the U.S. Census Bureau that combines federal and state administrative data on employers and employees. The LEHD data is collected as part of censuses and surveys conducted by the Census Bureau. This data can be accessed through an online mapping and reporting application, OnTheMap•. Data obtained from OnTheMap can be directly imported into ArcMap for analysis and mapping. This presentation will discuss the steps involved to obtain OnTheMap data and give examples of how this data can be utilized and presented using ArcMap.

Track Technical

Phone 678-528-7226


Bio Wendy Sisson is a GIS Analyst at Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc (RS&H) in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a graduate of The University of Georgia with a B.S. in Geography and a Certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIS). After graduating from college, she worked as a GIS Analyst in the public sector for four years before joining RS&H, where she now works in transportation planning.

Job Title GIS Analyst

Organization Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc (RS&H)

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 10:45-11:15 am, Room R

Full Name Sisson, Wendy

Title: Identifying Worker Characteristics Using LEHD and GIS


Description Crowdsourced social mapping frameworks are playing a key role in crisis and other situation response scenarios across the globe. These frameworks facilitate rapid compilation of information from diverse sources related to a particular event. The question is the validity of compiled data and its usefulness for dealing with situation at hand. This presentation will highlight one of these frameworks as an example and discuss complexities involved in such implementations.

Track Management

Phone 404-391-0858


Bio Siva is a Research Engineer at the Center for Geographic Information Systems (CGIS) at Georgia Institute of Technology. He has more than fifteen years of experience in GIS and Information Technology. At CGIS, Siva has contributed and supported various projects sponsored by National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, National Science Foundation, Mid America Earthquake Center, and other state and local agencies. In addition, Siva teaches Intro to GIS course to graduate and undergraduate students. Siva is a member of the Georgia chapter of Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (GAURISA), GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) Oversight & Review committee, volunteer with GISCorps, member of the crisis mapping Standby Task Force and Chair the Georgia GIS Coordinating Committee web subcommittee.

Job Title Research Engineer

Organization Center for GIS, Georgia Tech

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 9:30-10 pm, Room V/W

Full Name Sivakumar, Rama

Title: Platforms for Situational Mapping and its Inherent BigData Complexities

Description The geospatial landscape is made up of many talented individuals from diverse educational backgrounds. These individuals bring their expertise to the profession and many, based on their interest and specialty, find themselves gravitating toward one particular group or membership organization. This year's Geospatial Conference offers a chance for all of these individuals to come together to share their knowledge and learn from peers they might otherwise never have a chance to meet. This presentation would offer a chance for representatives to give a brief overview of their organizations purpose and goal. This information would help attendees better understand these organizations and how their interest may align. Presenter, Organization: Randall Hale, Georgia URISA, Natalie Culpepper, Southeast Geospatial Information Technology Association (SE GITA), Ernie Smith, Georgia GIS Coordinating Committee (GISCC); Jim Anderson, Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia (SAMSOG); Jeff Simmons, Georgia - Management Association of Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (GA-MAPPS).


Phone 678-625-1616


Bio Served Newton County for nearly 15 years. I am currently Chairman of the GISCC. Long time promoter of Cooperative GIS.

Job Title GIS Coordinator

Organization Newton County Board of Commissioners

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 3:45-4:15 pm, Room Y/Z

Full Name Smith, Ernie

Title: Who Are We and Why are We Here?!


Description Mobile GIS technology is the latest hot topic in the GeoSpatial Community. This presentation will discuss how this technology can be brought into use at the departmental level to reduce the costs of field operations as well as increase efficiency and quality of service. A case study will be presented featuring the lessons learned from a successful implementation in Asheboro, NC (home of the North Carolina Zoo). A major focus will be on the required changes in business processes, along with the impact of this technology on various departments.


Phone 919-535-5207


Bio Eddie Staley, GISP is the Director of GIS Services for Withers & Ravenel Engineering and Vice-President of Mobile311, LLC. Eddie has over 20 years of experience as a Geographic Information System Professional and has managed hundreds of large scale GIS projects in the southeast US. Eddie's work expertise includes GPS, GIS, Water, Sewer, and Storm Drainage design and modeling, and database management. Eddie's project experience includes the creation of the GIS for the North Carolina State Ports Authority, facility layout and mapping for the Men's and Women's US Open Golf Tournaments since 1999, and numerous large-scale utility mapping projects including the Town of Cary, Raleigh, and Greensboro.

Job Title GIS Director

Organization Mobile311, LLC

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 3-3:30 pm, Room Q

Full Name Staley, Eddie

Title: Field to Office: A Case Study for Mobile Applications & Process Enhancement

Description Federal regulations under the Clean Water Act (CWA) require States to assess and report water quality conditions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency every two years. States are also required to identify waterbodies within their boundaries that are not currently meeting designated uses and require the development of a TMDL. In recent years, the Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) has implemented and improved the use of GIS in multiple programs including assessments and TMDL development. This presentation will provide an overview of how KDOW uses GIS to meet Section 305(b) and 303(d) CWA requirements. In addition, we will discuss how KDOW is increasing and improving its use of GIS in the following areas: participation in professional groups; participation in Division and Cabinet level GIS workgroups; providing GIS 101/ 201/requested topic courses; watershed modeling; digitizing assessed waterbodies to the NHD using the USGS HEM tool and developing a web-based GIS application to house biological, chemistry and habitat data used for assessments.

Track Technical

Phone 502-564-3410


Bio Scarlett Stapleton has been a scientist with the Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) for five years. She performs GIS data analysis related to watersheds and water quality for TMDL development as well as for biannual 305(b) and 303(d) reports to Congress on water quality in Kentucky. Scarlett has worked in the TMDL Section for most of this time but has transitioned to the Water Quality Standards and Assessments Section in the last year. She is a GIS point of contact for KDOW’s Water Quality Branch and a member of the Kentucky Association of Mapping Professionals. Scarlett previously worked in private consulting for more than five years performing environmental assessments, remediation and emergency response. She earned her Bachelors degree in Natural Resources Conservation and Management with an emphasis in environmental hydrogeology from the University of Kentucky.

Job Title Environmental Scientist

Organization Kentucky Division of Water

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 3-3:30 pm, Room Y/Z

Full Name Stapleton II, Scarlett

Title: Looking to the Future: How Kentucky uses GIS for Stream Assessments and TMDL Development


Description Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) is a powerful, new technique used in remote sensing which aims to replicate human interpretation of imagery for automated feature extraction and classification. Freely available remotely sensed high-spatial resolution ortho-imagery and LiDAR data is not amenable to classification using traditional pixel-based techniques. GEOBIA allows the fusion of data from multiple sensors and rule sets are created that operate on the data to create highly accurate high-spatial resolution land cover maps. The study area for this project is the severely impaired Flat Creek Watershed of Gainesville, Georgia. This is a complex landscape with industrial areas intermixed with suburbia and even some agricultural areas. Using LiDAR data and 4-band ortho-imagery, rule sets were developed to create land cover classification. In situ water samples taken at specific locations were analyzed for Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentration levels. The correlations between E. coli concentration and the land cover classes were created for each subwatershed of the study area. The results of this study will be presented along with a discussion of their implications. This study lays the ground work for more detailed studies of this subset of the Lake Lanier watershed.


Phone 770-540-1009


Bio Cassie Tamblyn is in her senior year of pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Applied Environmental and Spatial Analysis at Gainesville State College. There she is president of the Geospatial Alliance club and a member of the Students for Environmental Awareness. Her dream job after graduating this December would be working for an environmental company with a strong interest in mycoremediation or other types of bioremediation. As a Northeast Georgia native and avid backpacker, she is passionate about preserving the beauty of the Piedmont region and protecting all of its inhabitants.

Job Title Student


Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 11-11:30 am, Room Y/Z

Full Name Tamblyn, Cassie

Title: Multi-Sensor Land Cover Mapping Using GEOBIA and Exploring E. Coli Correlations

Description Communication and collaboration between agencies and departments during and following a significant event is key to a successful and efficient response and recovery for a community. Situation awareness is a term we like to use, but are you engaging all your departments with the appropriate mission critical information? Damage assessments are critical for a community's recovery; however as GIS professionals we need to support our agencies from response all the way through recovery. By using a common platform for our data collection, mapping and reporting, we leverage the power of GIS without becoming data movers. Please join us for a session on leveraging applications and free Esri templates to move your community to a common operational PLATFORM. Case studies will be shared from the 2011 Tuscaloosa and 2012 Vero Beach tornados.


Phone 407-210-3925 x 701


Bio Karyn Tareen is the CEO of Geocove, based in Orlando, FL. Prior to Geocove, Karyn was a techie focused on utilities and data collection apps and tools for Esri. Since 2007, her focus has been on the development of a damage assessment system based on requirements from various city, county and state organizations. In the past couple of years her focus has grown into supporting all emergency management efforts with GIS technology.

Job Title CEO

Organization Geocove

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 10:45-11:15 am, Room Q

Full Name Tareen, Karyn

Title: Promoting Collaboration for Emergency Management through GIS Technology


Description By choosing Google Earth as their GIS platform, Sustainable Rural Regenerative Enterprises for Families (SURREF) has addressed issues of access and skill levels common in Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PGIS), empowering residents to create a social framework needed for community leadership and ownership of local mapping initiatives, a fundamental way to be defined in the world. SURREF addresses some of the weakness of PGIS by bridging the gap between the local expert and the GIS technician and using a collaborative methodology that incorporates and encourages local participation. SURREF operates its community-based tourism initiative working with black landowners to address systemic poverty in the Alabama Black Belt. The pilot project is currently being implemented with the Gee's Bend community in Wilcox County.


Phone 706-968-1559


Bio Tom is a senior at the Gainesville State College where he is pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies. He splits his time between coursework and SURREF and bridges the gap between academic and community development by bringing knowledge from the classroom into the field in Alabama. As a student of geography, he knows that helping families start their own businesses to improve their communities' wealth has global implications, as well as local ones. The idea of creating a model that fosters participatory planning and evaluation within a community is a powerful one, and it drives Tom to be entrepreneurial in making things happen. He most enjoys being out in the field talking with the Community Wealth Associates that SURREF works with.

Job Title Fellow

Organization SURREF

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 3-3:30 pm, Room Y/Z

Full Name Torres, Tom

Title: Tracing the Narrative: Participatory GIS in the Alabama Black Belt

Description This class will cover utilizing robotic survey instruments along with survey-grade GNSS receivers to capture features and their attributes in the field. This will include Trimble Vision's ability to take georeferenced photos from a total station and extract feature positions in the office via the new photogrammetry tool in Trimble Business Center. Exporting survey data in GIS formats will also be covered.


Phone 770-931-0844


Bio Mark White is a licensed Land Surveyor by trade and a technical trainer on survey grade GPS and robotic total stations. He has worked with GPS and robotics over the last 13 years and the last 6 years as a full-time factory authorized trainer and technical support specialist. His surveying experience includes building and heavy construction, boundary and topographic surveys, GPS control surveys, and DOT engineering surveys. Mr. White has taught both static and RTK GPS surveying classes, along with conventional and robotic surveying classes, to a broad range of clients including military personnel, DOTs, municipalities and private surveyors.

Job Title Training Manager

Organization Duncan-Parnell, Inc.

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 10:45-11:15 am, Room T/U

Full Name White, Mark

Title: Survey Workflow for High Accuracy GISSurvey Workflow for High Accuracy GIS


Description The poor economy in the construction and development sector has similarly negatively affected enrollment in a traditional land surveying program. Shifts in curriculum to reflect the mapping segment have been taken to increase enrollment. Separate degree tracks (from land surveying), certificates and a Masters level program have been developed to support the mapping equation of GIS. Faculty development and industry input have been implemented.


Phone 678-915-5502


Bio Professor and Program Coordinator for the Surveying and Mapping degree in the Civil Engineering Technology Department. Registered Land Surveyor, GA

Job Title Professor

Organization SPSU

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 2-2:30 pm, Room Q

Full Name Wilson, Matt

Title: Expanding Degree Option for a Surveying and Mapping Program

Description For this project I used Object Based Image Analysis to create a high spatial resolution land cover classification map of the southeastern section of Dawson County, GA along the GA 400 corridor. The software used to complete this project was ArcMap 10, ERADAS Imagine 2011, Trimble eCognition Developer, and Quick Terrain Modeler. The data used was aerial color-infrared imagery (CIR) and LiDAR. Erdas Imagine was used to mosaic the imagery and LiDAR tiles. QT Modeler was used to create the nDSM from the LiDAR tiles by subtracting the DEM from the DSM. In eCognition a rule-set was created while working with a subset of my study area. Several segmentation algorithm's were used to break up the image into meaningful objects which were classified into seven classes; Tall, Trees, Buildings, Grass, Low Impervious, Water and Shadow. A LiDAR derived nDSM and a NDVI layer were used to separate the buildings and trees. The results of the classification will be discussed along with the issues involved in data preparation involved in a Object Based Image Analysis.


Phone 678-516-9070


Bio Mary is currently in her last semester at Gainesville State College. She is obtaining a bachelor's degree in Applied Environmental Spatial Analysis, with a concentration in Information Technology. She also has a certificate in GIS.

Job Title student


Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 9:30-10 am, Room Q

Full Name Wise, Mary

Title: OBIA: Land Cover Classification using Orthoimagery and Lidar


Description The FGDC Thoroughfare, Landmark, and Postal Address Data Standard has moved from its current PDF incarnation to a hyperlinked HTML5 document that can even live on your smart phone. The FGDC supported the documents transformation with an NSDI Cooperative Assistance Program (CAP) grant. The original document was composed on a wiki, and the links helped both in navigating the document and in quality control: if the link didn’t work the document needed more work. After the standard was completed none of the people who worked on it went to the official PDF for daily work. Everyone continued to use the wiki site. Meanwhile, the feedback on the standard continued to accumulate: the 600+ page document was just too big to approach unindexed. In response, the FGDC provided a grant to help create a document that was accessible. This paper will include a demonstration of the new document.


Phone 404-219-7813


Bio Sara Yurman, GISP, is a founding partner in Spatial Focus, Inc, a consulting firm specializing in addressing and spatial data. In that capacity she has worked nationally and internationally, handling projects in locations as diverse as Little Rock, Arkansas, Bandah Aceh, Indonesia and Zrenjanin, Serbia. Sara is a member of the Address Standard Working Group, chairing the Quality Control section of the Street Address Data Standard. Prior to the Spatial Focus startup in 1998, Sara served as a GIS Manager for local, regional and state government organizations. She has been an active member of URISA throughout her career and is a former president of Georgia URISA.

Job Title Partner

Organization Spatial Focus, Inc.

Time and Location:

Thur., Oct. 18, 11-11:30 am, Room Q

Full Name Yurman, Sara

Title: The FGDC Address Standard does not read like a novel but now it's hyperlinked!


Description The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) have been territories of the United States since 1917, and have had local governance since 1936. Street addresses, however, have not been assigned. Lot numbers have been used in place of addresses throughout the history of the USVI. Streets have been unnamed and unsigned. In an attempt to furnish better service the Postal Service assigned some addresses based on carrier routes, giving those places two pieces of information to describe their locations neither of which references a thoroughfare. This lack of addresses has a significant impact on the provision of services. An attempt to remedy the situation in the 1990s foundered on political conflict. The experience of the 2010 Census prompted action. Legislation has assigned responsibility for maintaining street names to the Lieutenant Governors Office (LGO). The LGO has initiated a new effort to resolve the addressing situation. The task requires that the existing "addresses" -- lot numbers and area names -- be recorded as part of a new system. Challenges for implementation include the vast number of duplicates, incomplete spatial data and lack of control for aligning data layers. This paper will give a field report of the current effort. It will detail the use of the FGDC Address Standard in this environment and solutions for the addressing situation.


Phone 404-219-7813


Bio Sara Yurman, GISP, is a founding partner in Spatial Focus, Inc, a consulting firm specializing in addressing and spatial data. In that capacity she has worked nationally and internationally, handling projects in locations as diverse as Little Rock, Arkansas, Bandah Aceh, Indonesia and Zrenjanin, Serbia. Sara is a member of the Address Standard Working Group, chairing the Quality Control section of the Street Address Data Standard. Prior to the Spatial Focus startup in 1998, Sara served as a GIS Manager for local, regional and state government organizations. She has been an active member of URISA throughout her career and is a former president of Georgia URISA.

Job Title Partner

Organization Spatial Focus, Inc.

Time and Location:

Wed., Oct. 17, 1:15-1:45 pm, Room Q

Full Name Yurman, Sara

Title: A Land without Addresses: Adventures in the U.S. Virgin Islands


Documents

Abstract & Presenter Information - 2012 Geospatial Conference