From Wall Street, to the White House, to the U.N.
Driving Global Innovation with Geospatial
"where are the commercial applications of GIS beyond the government, and why don't businesses use it more?"
This central question was, and continues to be, the inspiration for my life's work in geospatial.
Taking SNL Maps From 0 to 1
I pitched GIS at a collage job fair and landed the job!
While attending James Madison University I attended a job fair in the fall of 2007, where I targeted wanting a job for SNL Financial. Even though they weren't hiring for my field, I pitched them the value of what geospatial data and maps could bring their organization. Months later they created a position and offered me a role as an energy analyst, with a focus on collecting and digitizing physical assets across the United States.
Established Cartography Services for SNL News
Within months of starting my job I recognized an opportunity to improve the value, insight, and production quality of our research and news reporting. Starting as ad-hoc map requests, then weekly, I proposed a business plan to hire a team of research analysts to assume my geospatial data collection duties to focus full time on cartographic map services.
Built a global team of analysts to manage geospatial data
Starting with a team of 3, the group would grow to over 20 analysts prior to my departure from SNL. I established the initial processes for geo data collection, quality control, and production into databases. The group maintained geodatabases for Transmissions Lines, Pipelines, IOU Service Areas, Industry Regions, and more. This data was used for derivative and visualization purposes. We also developed a geocoding and verification platform using an internal GUI for data validation leveraging ESRI, Bing, and Google.
Launched and Managed SNL Maps
In 2009, less than 2 years from my pitch to SNL Financial at a college job fair, I successfully led the launch of SNL Maps - a cutting edge data visualization and research application. With a search-first workflow, investment bankers and utilities created map visuals for investment presentations, and could uncover relationships to peers and competitors. I managed this product through the full lifecycle over 6 years from launch to depreciation, with client migration.
Built Advanced Searching Capabilities Across Platforms
Growing with success and experience, I was promoted to additionally manage SNL Financial's core data platforms - their API and Microsoft Excel Add-In products. In this role, I led a complete redesign and unification of search and screening across all of SNL's platforms - Web, Office, Maps, Mobile. SNL experienced high-growth during my era, expanding from 700 employees to over 3000. Today, SNL is known as S&P Global after a $2.3 billion acquisition.
My Legacy with Bloomberg MAPS
A Geospatial Platform for the Global Financial System
Bloomberg recruited me in 2015 to conceptualize, build, and bring to market an enterprise Geospatial business and product line that served hundreds of thousands of clients and all aspects of the Bloomberg organization. Products included Data Feeds, Visual Research Tools, Alerts, Automated News, NLP solutions, TV Studio and News Tools, and more.
Beyond the role and organization, I gained global recognition as an innovator and thought leader in technology & data, and developed a vast network across industries, academics, policy makers, and clientele.
TCFD Physical Climate Risk
Pioneered the Use of Geospatial for Regulatory Reporting
In 2017, I was invited to the U.N. to present Bloomberg MAPS to a group establishing the TCFD framework for reporting financial risk due to climate change.
The group had only imagined using maps as a visual tool for reports, however I established geo technology and data as the methodology for quantifying climate risk.
Thought Leadership
Geospatial World
GeoGov 2024 Co-Keynote with ESRI Jack Dangermond
Cambridge University Press
Oxford University - The Spatial Finance Initiative
CARTO
EuroConsult Satellite Summit