GIS in Action 2025

Alex Brasch has 12 years of experience in the fields of geography, Geographic Information Systems, and data analytics. His academic background includes a BA in Human Geography and Environmental Studies and graduate studies in applied social demography and population geography. Alex regularly employs the full spectrum of analytics—from data wrangling to modeling and visualization—to achieve a comprehensive understanding of spatial phenomena. He specializes in the development of workflows and tools using GIS, Alteryx, R, and Tableau for streamlining data preparation, geospatial analysis, process... Read more

I work to create positive change in natural resources management and conservation, as well as the supporting data and applications required for change. I focus on ensuring the highest quality products through alignment, coordination, and collaboration. I have experience in applied research and technical leadership in the non-profit, academic, and government sectors, including work with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, The Freshwater Trust, Institute for Natural Resources, Oregon State and Portland State Universities, State of Oregon, and federal government. I hold a MA in Geography... Read more

After years and countless miles of driving and flying around the world playing drums in a diverse set of musical acts, Erick Caceres found a proverbial fork in the road - and he took it. While a touring musician and side-gigging software tester, Erick was honing his testing skills and tasked with building up Quality Assurance from scratch into fully functional departments. The testing side gig eventually became a full-time career and he has now spent 16 years in several industries, bringing a culture of quality and testing innovation into various software and hardware companies.

I'm a GIS Certificate student at PCC who's passionate about Environmental Justice and graduating in June 2025. Seeking internships and entry level GIS work in the PNW and beyond!

Analyst and mapmaker for Portland area emergency response and management. Part of the PortlandMaps.com team. BA in Geography from Portland State in 2005.

Rob Eadie joined the Hexagon Content Program in April 2021 as Partner Manager. Rob has spent his entire
career in the geospatial industry working in the areas of aerial/satellite photogrammetry, satellite remote sensing,
airborne LIDAR and IFSAR mapping, with a variety of roles in production, marketing, technical sales, and project
management environments.

Melissa Foltz is the Geospatial Data Governance Coordinator for Department of Administration Services Geospatial Enterprise Operations. Melissa has spent 20 years working with a private engineering firm before moving to the state in 2023. Since then, Melissa has been focused on GIS data governance and currently serves as Oregon’s Framework Coordinator responsible for managing Oregon’s authoritative geospatial data.

Catherine Green is a board member of the ORURISA Emerging Professionals, and a co-founder of the Portland chapter of Women in GIS. She has a BA in Environmental Studies, an MA in Geography, and a certificate in GIS from Portland Community College.

• B.S. Geography, Environmental Studies; Brigham Young University (2021)
• M.S. Geography & GIS; Portland State University (2023)
• NV5 Geospatial, Elevation-Derived Hydrography; Corvallis office (2024)
• Corvallis City Planning Commission (2024)
• SWRTC
  • In-House Cartography
  • Transportation Performance Management
  • VAST CIC Committee
  • Demographic Profiles
  • Spatial Statistics
  • Consultant Point of Contact

A skilled and seasoned geospatial information designer with over 25 years of progressive experience in research, analysis and production. Particularly interested in exploring and integrating new solutions to existing problems.

Specialties: Matthew specializes in taking complex information (especially spatial patterns) and designing meaningful cartographic products that help guide policy and substantiate decision-making. Straddling both the natural and social sciences, Matthew excels at integrating art and science.

David is a proud, lifelong, geographer who has always been fascinated with maps and where things are. He will probably initially forget your name but will most likely remember where you are from. He specializes in cartographic map design and developing and supporting user-friendly GIS applications. Since 2003, he has provided technical, project management, and training support for various environmental, engineering, public safety, and planning projects in the public and private sectors. David lives in Albany, Oregon with his wife and three kids and currently serves as a GIS Analyst for the City... Read more

Jennifer is a GIS and UAS specialist for South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in Charleston, Oregon since 2002. She works on research that contributes to climate change and coastal management. In summer she contributes to wildland fire support as a GISS. Before her role at South Slough, she worked for federal land management agency as a wildlife biologist for almost 10 years.

Please speak to me about GIS Analyst or Geo-Software Engineering and Quality employment opportunities with Carmera (www.carmera.com) who develops real time high definition (HD) maps for autonomous vehicle navigation.

I've been working in the industry for over 30 years and I LOVE GIS!!! :-)

Jake Lovell works in the Metro Data Resource Center, supporting transportation planners with GIS data and analysis support.

Ariel is a GIS and Data Visualization Analyst with the Oregon Legislative Policy and Research Office. She has a BA in Geography and a Master of Science in Public Health. Prior to her current position she worked as a Technical Consultant on the Public Safety and Health team at Esri for 6 years.

Sarah McDonald is a product engineer for ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Instant Apps at Esri.

Gavin McRobbie has been working in the GIS field since 2012. Prior to working at the City of Hillsboro, he worked for G2-Integrated Solutions and the City of San Jose, California. Gavin has a bachelor's degree in Geography and GIS certificate from San Jose State University.

Colleen Miller is a Senior Program Manager (GIS) with the City of Bend. She serves on the board of ORURISA as lead for the Central Oregon Section and previously served on the Oregon Geographic Information Council as the local government representative. Colleen has an extensive background in both GIS and information technology in the public sector, both at the state and local level. When she isn’t working, you’ll find Colleen exploring Oregon’s outdoors on skis, by bike, or by foot.

Andrew Neuman is a Principal GIS Analyst for the City of Portland’s Bureau of Technical Services with 20+ years of Professional GIS experience. He largely works on integrating non-spatial business systems with GIS, performing GIS database administration and developing GIS solutions for clients.

Aaron Oxley helps people use VertiGIS technology to build geospatial solutions that solve real-world problems, and improve decision-making, by making spatial data more meaningful and accessible across organizations.

Travis Peterson is a Supervisor of Geospatial Solutions at Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) with over 20 years of GIS experience in defense, route navigation, solar development, and public utilities. Holding a bachelor's degree in environmental science and a master's degree in GIS, Travis brings a unique blend of expertise to his role. Travis's commitment to excellence, passion for sustainability, and continuous involvement in the GIS community position him as a trusted expert and catalyst for positive change in geospatial solutions.

My career started as a GIS Technician for the South Dakota Geological survey. Since then, I have worked in different industries, always doing GIS. Most recently, I was the GIS Manager for United Power, a small electric utility near Denver, and the GIS Manager for Denver Water. During those years, I implemented their Enterprise GIS program and promoted GIS through the organization and externally. Organizing small GIS Day events was something I enjoyed during that time, and people seemed to enjoy the cake!!

I believe innovation and people are key factors to making GIS successful and part of everyday work in any organization. GIS can integrate disconnected systems into one platform, into one easy place to view and share everything... Read more

Current Corporate GIS Manager for the City of Portland. Member of ORURISA and the GIA Organization Comittee

As a Senior Geospatial Data Analyst at TriMet, the public transit agency for the Portland, Oregon area, I provide geographic analysis, support, and cartography for groups throughout the agency and advocate for open-source GIS software and user education. I hold a BS in Oceanography from the University of Washington and an MS in Geological Sciences from the University of Oregon, where I used GIS, GPS, multibeam sonar, and other technologies to construct 3-D maps of the ocean floor in glacial fjords and map the movements of massive floating icebergs. Before arriving at TriMet, I worked as a geospatial... Read more

Jimmy Schulz has spent 20+ years in production photogrammetry. His first job in the business was in the photolab and dark room at Walker and Associates in Tukwila, WA. From there, he moved into aero-triangulation, stereo map compilation, cartographic edit, lidar and project management. He is currently production manager at Miller Creek Associates, in Seatac, WA. He spends his working day estimating, mission planning, performing project QC and making maps of all kinds.

I am GIS Specialist in the City of West Linn Public Works Engineering department. I process data updates and contribute to maintaining the City's GIS databases, web apps, and asset management systems. I am willing to connect with other GIS professionals to discuss GIS practices and technology, or just geek out on map stuff.

Rachel L. Smith is the State’s Geographic Information Officer and leads the work of the Geospatial Enterprise Operations providing GIS strategy, policies, software, and data for the State. Rachel has a bachelor's degree in Geography and a master's degree in public administration. She has 20+ years of GIS, IT, and Project Management experience. She spent 12 years in the private-sector and then transitioned to public service where she has worked for state government since 2010.

Madeline Steele is a GIS Manager in Oregon Metro’s Data Resource Center. There, she leads the team that delivers the Regional Land Information System (RLIS) in collaboration with local partners. She has 15 years of experience in the geospatial field, a Master’s in Geography from PSU, and PMP certification. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar, mixing drinks, and walking in wild places.

Carl Swanson is a GIS Specialist with the Oregon Department of Forestry in Salem, Oregon, where he has worked since 2018. Carl developed a love for cartography through studying field geology in graduate school and has been in the GIS world ever since. In addition to cartography and GIS, Carl's interests include all things music, retro video games, baseball, disc golf, and generally anything else nerds are into.

Carl Swanson is a GIS Specialist with the Oregon Department of Forestry in Salem, Oregon, where he has worked since 2018. Carl developed a love for cartography through studying field geology in graduate school and has been in the GIS world ever since. In summers Carl works on ODF’s Incident Management Teams as a GISS (GIS Specialist) creating maps for use in firefighting efforts throughout the state of Oregon.

My name is Quadri Taiwo, a first-generation black African student pursuing a master’s degree in geography at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. As an urban climate thinker, I have a keen interest in equitable urban forest distribution, urban forestry stakeholders' mapping, and collaborative community development using mixed-methods research. These approaches include, but are not limited to, geospatial applications and field surveys.

Wes is a seasoned software developer and system integrator with recently acquired geospatial skills. His primary interest is human wayfinding informed by reality capture, 3D visualization, and computer vision. He’s inspired by how future generations may navigate without a device in hand.