More Than Just Maps

On today’s episode I conclude my interview with Lt Ronald Vaughn. We talk about how he took the reins and made sure he had all the tools and help he needed to succeed in this new phase of his career in GIS. After being nominated to the SCAUG board of Directors, he met as many GIS professionals as he could and continues to do so. We also chat about some of the projects that Lt Vaughn has helped Dallas Fire-Rescue with and how this directly impacts the department’s ability to respond to calls.

On this week’s episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Lt Ronald Vaughn of Dallas Fire Rescue. When his dreams of becoming a police officer turned into becoming a Fire Fighter & Paramedic instead, Lt Vaughn never dreamed of the day when he would be voluntold into the world of GIS. After almost 20 years in the field, Lt Vaugh was given the assignment to find out what this “GIS” thing was for the department, and he hasn’t looked back.

On today’s episode I conclude my interview with Caitlyn McNabb and Micah Babinsky. With 2020 being what it was, this special episode of the podcast deals with the topic of burnout. Caitlyn, Micah and I all discuss some of the challenges we’ve faced recently and how and what we’ve done to overcome our own bouts of burnout.

On this week’s episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with not one guest, but two. Caitlyn McNabb of Sedaru and Micah Babinsky of CDR McGuire join me and talk about how they got into this big wide world of GIS. Both are members of the URISA Vangaurd cabinet and have been able to greatly expand their careers thanks to the experiences they’ve gained, not only from URISA events, but a multitude of opportunities.

On today’s episode I conclude my interview with Jordan Carmona as we wrap up our discussion on the GISP. We dive into why each of us wanted the certification in the first place, and then we crack open the technical exam, as much as we can, for those who are looking for some insight into this sometimes controversial test.

On this week’s episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Jordan Carmona from the city of McKinney, Texas. On this special episode, Jordan and I chat about all things GISP. We share our own experiences of completing our portfolios, tips and tricks to use to gather points, and how the point system works in the first place.

On today’s episode I conclude my interview with Brandi Rank. We talk Servant leadership and the difference between good and bad management. We also dive into some universal truths in the workplace, and the importance of being aware of yourself including your positives and negatives. And finally we discuss how GIS departments are key in governmental organizations, be that helping IT departments transition to 100% remote work, or acting as bridges between siloed groups.

On this week’s episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Brandi Rank from the city of Thornton, Colorado. We chat about what it’s like being the first generation in your family to attend college, while not knowing what you want to do right away, and what that process is like when searching for what you’re supposed to do with the rest of your life. We also talk about the importance of internships, and the abundance of experience they can provide. And finally we span Brandi’s career in government where she started searching for monuments for the Colorado State Parks, to where she is now as the GIS manager for the city of Thornton, just north of Denver.

On today’s episode I conclude my interview with Michelle Swindle. We talk about what it’s like to have staff who are brand new, versus subject matter experts in any given field. We also chat about some of the work Michelle has done with the North Texas Emergency Communications Center, as well as the Joint Emergency Operations Center in Tarrant county, and how it first started as a way to track incidents at the Texas Motor Speedway, and how it’s evolved to serve many other functions, like the current covid-19 crisis. 

On this week’s episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Michelle Swindle from the city of Fort Worth Texas. We chat about Michelle’s non-traditional path to GIS, and what it was like to go back to school after she thought she was finished with higher education. We also get to hear about what it’s like to be a civilian GIS contractor in an active war zone, and how that environment comes with a whole host of unique challenges.