Project Geospatial

Mike DeLaFleur from TekSynap, with over 34 years in the community, discusses his role in BD, capture, and geospatial solutions. He introduces TekSynap as a mid-size government contractor providing IT services and solutions for the DoD, Fed Civ, and IC, which has grown organically since 2008. TekSynap works with various agencies and is expanding into the geospatial world with R&D investments in AI and analyst tools. DeLaFleur highlights TekSynap's distinction as one of the few companies globally with CMMI Level 5 in Services, Development, and Security. He shares recent examples of applying AI in IT networking (Marvis AI) and document management (Megatron). Their core geospatial offering for the IC is ARTA (AI recommendation-driven analytics). TekSynap recently contributed to a project at NGA focusing on disaster response using UI/UX, data fabric, and integrating the unclassified data lake. DeLaFleur reflects on his extensive experience attending GEOINT symposiums and praises TekSynap's culture as an employee-first company.

Highlights

• Mike DeLaFleur introduces TekSynap, a mid-size government contractor.

• They specialize in IT services and solutions for DoD, Fed Civ, and IC.

• TekSynap has grown organically and is branching into the geospatial world.

• They are one of few companies with CMMI Level 5 in Services, Development, and Security.

• Latest work involves applying AI in IT networking (Marvis AI) and document management (Megatron).

• Their key geospatial offering is ARTA (AI recommendation-driven analytics) for IC customers.

• They worked on an NGA disaster response project using UI/UX, data fabric, and the unclassified data lake.

• DeLaFleur highlights the value of the GEOINT symposium.

• TekSynap is described as an employee-first company with a strong culture.

For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com

#GEOINT #TekSynap #GovernmentContractor #ITServices #IntelligenceCommunity #DoD #Federal #AI #Geospatial #CMMI #ARTA #DisasterResponse #NGA #Networking #DataManagement #UIUX

Bill Conroy discusses his diverse background, which includes serving in the Coast Guard on an Arctic icebreaker, studying GIS, and working for NGA on nautical charts. He introduces his company, Semaphore Maritime Solutions, which he started about a year ago. Conroy explains his primary work involves providing maritime analysis for the US Space Force TAC SRT program, handling unclassified data requests. Drawing on his extensive maritime experience and licenses, he analyzes data like AIS, contextualizing it with factors like weather and regulations to identify suspicious activities. He focuses on taking existing data sets and providing deeper insights through activities-based analysis. Conroy notes that his location in landlocked St. Louis is not a barrier to this work. He mentions utilizing NGA's Port Index data set in his platform. He highlights networking at events like GEOINT as part of his growth strategy and positions himself as a maritime subject matter expert valuable for contextualizing various geospatial data streams.

Highlights

• Bill Conroy shares his background in the Coast Guard, GIS, and NGA nautical charts.

• He founded Semaphore Maritime Solutions, providing maritime analysis.

• He primarily supports the US Space Force TAC SRT program with unclassified maritime data requests.

• His maritime expertise helps analyze data like AIS in context.

• He provides activities-based analysis to identify suspicious maritime activity.

• Location is becoming less important for this work; St. Louis hosts an NGA office.

• He uses NGA's Port Index data set.

• Growing the business involves networking at events like GEOINT.

• He offers expertise as a maritime subject matter expert to contextualize data.

For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com

#GEOINT #SemaphoreMaritimeSolutions #MaritimeIntelligence #GeospatialAnalysis #CoastGuard #NGA #SpaceForce #AISData #MaritimeExpert #ActivitiesBasedAnalysis #UnclassifiedData

Adam Simmons of Project Geospatial speaks with Billy Sokol and Brent Perry of Progress Federal during the GEOINT 2025 Symposium. Brent, with a background in full stack engineering and data analytics for defense and IC customers, highlights geospatial as one of the top ways to visualize intelligence. They introduce Progress Federal, a business unit within Progress Software that includes the capabilities of the acquired company MarkLogic. They explain that MarkLogic's history spans diverse industries and government, focusing on a multi-modal database that can aggregate data from multiple systems, regardless of format. This database is designed to operate at immense scale and also to scale down to a laptop for use in hostile environments with denied, delayed, intermittent, or latent communications. They emphasize the importance of being agile due to the rapid rate of change in user expectations and technology in the market.

Highlights

• Progress Federal is a business unit of Progress Software that includes the capabilities of Mark Logic, a company focused on data management since the early 2000s.

• Mark Logic has a history supporting geospatial requirements in government, oil/gas, manufacturing, and healthcare.

• They offer a multi-modal database designed to aggregate and unify data from diverse systems and formats at immense scale.

• Their technology can scale down to a laptop for use in hostile environments with unreliable communications (D-DIL).

• The approach helps put disparate geospatial and related data into context for analysts and operators.

• They emphasize the need for agility to keep pace with the rapid changes in technology and user expectations.

For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com

#GEOINT2025 #ProgressFederal #MarkLogic #Database #MultimodalDatabase #BigData #GeospatialData #IntelligenceCommunity #DefenseIndustry #DDIL #DataManagement #Agile

This clip features Carter Christopher discussing Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) at the GEOINT 2025 Symposium. He highlights ORNL's core mission of doing science for the government. Carter emphasizes that ORNL's work is particularly centered on computing and AI. He suggests that this focus differentiates ORNL within the geospatial community and contributes to advancing the field for everyone.

Highlights

• Clip featuring Carter Christopher from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

• ORNL focuses on doing science for the government.

• Work is centered on computing and AI.

• This focus differentiates ORNL and helps advance the community.

For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com

#GEOINT2025 #Geospatial #ORNL #OakRidgeNationalLab #GovernmentScience #HighPerformanceComputing #AI #ProjectGeospatial

Luke Kratky from Omni Federal discusses his background as a retired Marine who transitioned into geospatial and now works for Omni Federal, a company specializing in disruptive software and digital modernization for defense and intelligence. He explains how Omni Federal, with over 400 employees, works with NGA, Space Force, and other agencies on software modernization, data mesh, data architecture, and geospatial intelligence software. Kratky emphasizes the importance of connecting their technical work directly to the needs of the warfighter and breaking down data silos to achieve interoperability. He highlights recent work including open-source mobile apps and integrating technologies for environments like JR oltre. Kratky champions the concept of the "Data Rebel," stressing that data management and architecture are critical for success. He advocates for the use of open source for interoperability and sharing data, using standards like STAC to build dynamic digital twins. He discusses key industry trends centered on moving faster and leveraging teaming between organizations. Ultimately, he states that all efforts must tie back to supporting the warfighter and contributing to national security goals.

Highlights

• Luke Kratky introduces Omni Federal, a disruptive tech firm focusing on defense and intelligence.

• They specialize in software modernization, data mesh, data architecture, and geospatial software.

• Omni Federal works with NGA, Space Force, Army, and other government agencies.

• They emphasize connecting technology work to the mission needs of the warfighter.

• Recent work includes open-source mobile apps and integrating technologies like alt&t.

• Kratky promotes the concept of the "Data Rebel" and the importance of data management as a center of gravity.

• Open source is critical for interoperability and sharing data with allies.

• They use STAC and collected data to build "dynamic surgical skins" (digital twins).

• Key trends involve moving faster and large organizations teaming for agility.

• The focus is always on adding value and insight for the warfighter.

For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com

#GEOINT #OmniFederal #SoftwareModernization #DataArchitecture #GeospatialIntelligence #IntelligenceCommunity #Defense #Warfighter #OpenSource #DataRebel #DigitalTwin #STAC #DisruptiveTech

Josh Gaghen from McCarthy Building Companies discusses his background and role in leading the construction of the new NGA headquarters in St. Louis. He introduces McCarthy as a nationwide, oldest privately held construction company specializing in complex, technical projects. Gaghen shares the challenges encountered building the high-security NGA facility, particularly navigating the design phase and team collaboration amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlights leadership principles and processes that helped the team overcome these obstacles and keep the project moving. The conversation also covers the significant economic impact of the NGA project on the St. Louis region's growing geospatial ecosystem. Gaghen shares lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, technology investment, and addressing the critical need for skilled workforce development in constructing modern facilities.

Highlights

• Josh Gaghen, VP at McCarthy, discusses leading the construction of the new NGA headquarters in St. Louis.

• McCarthy is the oldest privately held construction company in the U.S., headquartered in St. Louis.

• Building the NGA headquarters faced challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic impacting design and collaboration.

• Leadership principles like strong relationships and virtual workspaces helped overcome challenges.

• The NGA project is seen as a major driver for making St. Louis a geospatial hub.

• Lessons learned include the importance of collaboration, technology, and workforce development.

• Training skilled trade craft workers for complex, technological facilities is crucial.

• McCarthy focuses on complex projects and collaborative delivery methods.

For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com

#GEOINT #McCarthyBuilding #NGA #StLouis #Geospatial #Construction #IntelligenceCommunity #WorkforceDevelopment #Collaboration #COVID19 #FederalProjects

** Note: Forgive us for the Audio Issues. We had unexpected Interference with our mics. **

In this insightful interview recorded at GEOINT 2025 in St. Louis, Project Geospatial talks with Mark Munsell about his extensive career and exciting new ventures. Munsell, who recently retired from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) where he served as Chief Technology Officer, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, and Director of Digital Innovation, shares his journey. He began his geospatial career in 1990 with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a software engineer and field technician, performing coastal mapping and early digital transformation. He describes his career as being defined by "digital transformation," bringing organizations into the next technological era, from introducing Windows and TCP/IP networking at the Defense Mapping Agency in the 90s to working with AI systems that write their own code today.

Munsell, a St. Louis native, is now dedicating his time to promoting his home city and fostering its economic development. He has joined Greater St. Louis Inc., a premier economic development nonprofit, to leverage his technical and geospatial background. His mission is to build on the energy started by initiatives like GeoFutures, attract new companies, and create jobs within the geospatial ecosystem in the Greater St. Louis region.

Key initiatives discussed include the energy generated by the GEOINT symposium in St. Louis and the upcoming opening of the NGA's new West Headquarters in late September/early October. Munsell aims to revalidate St. Louis's geospatial goals with the community, aligning everyone under a common strategy to be relaunched this fall, potentially under a new brand beyond "GeoFutures". He is tasked with designing this new organizational structure and assembling the right team.

He highlights partnerships with existing entities such as the Taylor Geospatial Institute, which brings together eight universities, and the Taylor Geospatial Engine. This new group will help orchestrate coordination and align efforts among these partners to bring the entire ecosystem together. Munsell anticipates unveiling these plans before the new NGA campus opens. He emphasizes the immense opportunity in St. Louis due to the unique overlap of agriculture, biosciences, public health, medicine, and defense sectors with geospatial technology, citing Boeing as an example of the city's defense heritage. He invites anyone interested in being part of this growing community and its future efforts to contact him or Greater St. Louis Inc.

#GEOINT2025 #StLouis #Geospatial #MarkMunsell #DigitalTransformation #EconomicDevelopment #GreaterStLouisInc #GeoFutures #TaylorGeospatialInstitute #ProjectGeospatial #TechInnovation #CareerJourney #StLouisGeospatial #GIS #AI #Mapping #Defense

In this interview from the 2025 GEOINT Symposium, Adam Simmons of Project Geospatial speaks with Phill Thomas from Innovate. Phill discusses his career path, starting at Accenture and moving into federal government work. He introduces Innovate as a woman-owned small business headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, with a history primarily in federal civilian and commercial sectors. Innovate is now excited about bringing their solutions to the Intel community. Phill details Innovate's evolution, including their decision in 2012 to focus intensely on the Salesforce and Esri platforms, becoming "an inch wide and a mile deep". He highlights their extensive experience with over a thousand Esri deployments and over 800 Salesforce deployments, their gold level partnership with Esri, numerous specialty certifications, and the presence of Salesforce certified architects. This deep expertise allows them to build reusable component repositories for efficiency. Phill shares that GEOINT 2025 is their first attempt to engage with the NGA community, expressing optimism about the interest received and the partnership energy at the conference.

Highlights

• Phill Thomas from Innovate discusses the company's background and its move into the Intel community.

• Innovate is a woman-owned small business with 23 years of experience.

• The company has historically focused on federal civilian and commercial sectors, with no prior Intel work.

• Innovate specializes intensely ("an inch wide and a mile deep") in the Salesforce and Esri platforms.

• They have completed over a thousand Esri deployments and over 800 Salesforce deployments.

• Innovate is an Esri gold level partner with more specialty certifications than any other company worldwide.

•They possess rare Salesforce certified architects.

• Extensive experience has allowed them to build reusable component repositories.

• GEOINT 2025 marks Innovate's initial engagement with the NGA and the Intel community.

• Innovate emphasizes having a staff of exceptional implementation specialists in their focus areas.

For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com

#GEOINT2025 #ProjectGeospatial #Innovate #PhillThomas #Ezri #Salesforce #Geospatial #IntelCommunity #FederalGovernment #SmallBusiness #NGASymposium #ITStrategy #SoftwareDevelopment #Integration

Adam Simmons of Project Geospatial interviews Geoffrey King, Vice President of Strategy at Greater St. Louis Inc. (GSL), at the GEOINT 2025 Symposium. Geoffrey discusses GSL's role in growing and strengthening the geospatial cluster in St. Louis through the GeoFutures Initiative. He explains GSL's various functions, including business attraction, downtown revitalization, and supporting small and diverse businesses. Geoffrey highlights NGA as a key anchor institution for the region's geospatial growth. He talks about GSL's presence at GEOINT for over five years, showcasing St. Louis's assets to attract talent and investment. He notes that St. Louis is hosting GEOINT for the third time this year and will host again in 2029, emphasizing the significant effort invested in the 2025 event. GSL aims to collaborate with partners and connect different sectors and communities to maximize the economic impact of geospatial growth in the region.

Highlights

• Geoffrey King of Greater St. Louis Inc. discusses the organization's efforts to grow the geospatial cluster in St. Louis.

• GSL's GeoFutures Initiative aims to align stakeholders and catalyze regional growth, with NGA as a major anchor.

• GSL focuses on business attraction, bringing companies and jobs to St. Louis.

• They also work on downtown revitalization and supporting the ecosystem for small, minority, and women-owned businesses.

• Greater St. Louis Inc. has been present at GEOINT for over five years, marketing the region and its assets to attract businesses.

• St. Louis is hosting GEOINT for the third time (2021, 2023, 2025) and is confirmed to host again in 2029.

• GSL aims to connect technology with manufacturing and geospatial, and connect communities for broad economic benefit.

For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com

#GEOINT2025 #StLouis #GreaterStLouisInc #GeospatialEcosystem #BusinessAttraction #EconomicDevelopment #NGA #GeoFutures #RegionalGrowth #Collaboration

Jessica Touchard from GeoSearch shares her 26 years of experience recruiting specifically within the geospatial industry. She introduces GeoSearch as a small, niche recruiting company that works with a wide range of clients, including commercial mapping firms, software companies, consulting groups, and companies outside the traditional geospatial sector like insurance and retail. GeoSearch supports both the intelligence community and the private sector. Touchard discusses the current job market, offering advice for job seekers on networking and for companies on effectively vetting candidates, particularly in the age of AI applications. She explains the different services GeoSearch offers, from a job board to full-service recruiting, emphasizing their specialization and reasonable costs as unique factors. Touchard identifies high-demand roles in the industry, including software developers, AI/machine learning experts, and cloud technologists, alongside the crucial need for strong soft skills. She also provides advice for young people entering the job market, encouraging openness to diverse opportunities and the development of communication and collaboration skills.

Highlights

• Jessica Touchard from GeoSearch discusses 26 years of experience recruiting in geospatial.

• GeoSearch is a niche recruiting company specializing in the geospatial industry.

• They work with various clients, including commercial, government, and out-of-industry companies.

• The geospatial job market is balanced, with specific skills in demand.

• Advice for job seekers includes networking; for companies, hands-on vetting is crucial.

• GeoSearch offers job board and full-service recruiting services.

• Their uniqueness is their geospatial specialization and low costs.

• They help companies define roles and identify needed skills.

• High-demand roles include software developers, AI/ML, cloud tech, and those with strong soft skills.

• Advice for young professionals includes being open to opportunities and developing soft skills.

For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com

#GEOINT #GeoSearch #GeospatialJobs #Recruiting #TalentAcquisition #WorkforceDevelopment #IntelligenceCommunity #SoftwareDevelopment #AI #GIS #RemoteSensing #CareerAdvice