Keynote Speakers
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Representative Mike Sutherland, 99th District
Upcoming Events at the Capitol
Rep. Mike Sutherland, a Republican, represents part of Montgomery and Warren counties (District 99), in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to the House in November 2002.
In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Sutherland is a farmer. He also served as Warren County Assessor from 1996 to 2002 and was a newspaper editor in Warrenton, Bowling Green and St. Charles, Mo.
Rep. Sutherland is a member of the following organizations: Farm Bureau, former county board member; Missouri Pork Producers, former county and state board member; Warren County Cattlemen’s Association; Wright City Chamber of Commerce; Montgomery City Chamber of Commerce; Warrenton Rotary Club; Warren County Fair Youth Livestock Show volunteer; Warren County Young Republican Club, chairman and charter member; Warren County Republican Central Committee, past treasurer; Missouri Corn Growers Association and the National Rifle Association. He attends St. John’s Lutheran Church.
A 1983 graduate of Warren County R-III High School, Rep. Sutherland received a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications from Central Missouri State University in 1988 with a minor in Political Science.
Born April 8, 1965 in Columbia, Mo., Rep. Sutherland lives in Warrenton with his wife, Tina. They have two children: Madeleine and Anna.
Learon Dalby, GIS Program Manager, Arkansas Geographic Information Office (AGIO).
Gettin' it Done the Southern Way
The use of geospatial data has left the back room closet. Traditionally GIS data has been developed in pockets at all levels of government, and the data sets end at jurisdictional boundaries (the city, county, or state line). As GIS is moving to the forefront and out of the back room closet, it is becoming increasingly important to make sure data sets are shared and integrated. In doing this, you can reduce duplicative efforts, and enable efficient decision making at all levels of government. Technical details are a necessary evil, but simple is always better. Learon will share some of his experiences with building partnerships and moving data development forward the Southern Way!
Learon serves as the GIS Program Manager for the Arkansas Geographic Information Office (AGIO). He began his career with the AGIO in 2000 where he is responsible for managing a number of statewide programs. Learon Dalby received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; where he spent three years performing GIS research and working as the leader of the Arkansas Hazards Mitigation and Project Impact contract for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock GIS Applications Laboratory. His work with Project Impact included coordinating with select communities to develop the GIS applications associated with their plans.
In his role as the GIS Program Manager, he is responsible for providing direction on GIS projects and programs and cooperative data development projects, spatial data development with stakeholders. Learon has cross-trained in a number of GIS/GPS packages and continues to research new methodologies that will enable GIS users to move forward. Learon has been active in facilitating the use of GIS throughout the state and nation and serves as Director at Large for the Mid America GIS Consortium’s (MAGIC). Learon has been an active member of the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) since 2001 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2006.
Learon lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys camping with his family, playing softball and trout fishing during the summer. You can find Learon in his favorite duck hunting holes during the cold winter months.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
The Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri
Using GIS in Support of Research
The Missouri Botanical Garden uses Geographical Information Systems technology as an integral part of its research activities. Applications include simple distribution mapping to more complex spatial modeling incorporating climatic variables to predict areas where a species might be found. GIS technology goes far beyond general mapping. At MBG we are exploring ways in which spatial modeling and remote sensing can help us discover where plants grow, their relative distributions, and climate factors most important to their survival.
