IMIA Report Jan – 2014

  

  

 
Iceland

  

Here’s why Iceland is one of the most amazing places on Earth, it is the only spot where a mid-ocean ridge can be seen above water. Mid-ocean ridges are the seams that bisect the oceanic plates where magma comes up from the mantle below to form new crust. They are basically continuous lines of major volcanic activity, creating new ocean floor at rates up to 15 cm per year (7.5 on each side). The new crust moves away from the ridges and eventually, millions of years later, is pushed beneath a continent back into the mantle. In Iceland, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge has risen above the ocean’s surface, lacerating the island with active volcanoes. Add to this a veneer of glaciers, and you have a geologic wonderland.

Kevin Allen manages all cartographic production for National Geographic Maps. Located at headquarters in Washington DC, he oversees production for NGMap’s reference and recreation map lines, custom publishing, Sustainable Destination mapping and website development, atlas and book map production, GIS database development, editorial updates and mapping support services for internal NG magazines and departments. Prior to his current role as Vice President of Production, he has served as Director of Operations for NGMaps headquarters office, Assistant Director of Production, Divisional Production Manager, and Manager of NGMaps first computer mapping and imaging facility.

 

Allen has been employed for thirty-three years joining National Geographic after receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Go Hokies!) and two years working for Alexandria Drafting Company. He has served as a board member for the International Map Industry Association for three years in addition chaired the Map Report publication for IMIA for five years. Allen resides in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife and two sons and enjoys sailing, kayaking, fly-fishing, hiking, outdoor photography, and blue crabs from the heart of the Chesapeake Bay.

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today praised President Obama’s intent to nominate Dr. Suzette M. Kimball to serve as the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, Interior’s chief science agency. Kimball has led the agency in an acting capacity since February 2013.

“USGS brings critical, impartial information to bear on some of the most complex issues facing our nation today – from the impacts of climate change to natural hazards and their threats,” said Jewell. “With her scientific expertise and decades of public service, Suzette is an excellent choice to lead this agency. During her time at USGS, Suzette has proven herself to be a smart, thoughtful and collaborative leader, and a strong advocate for using science to inform our understanding of our world and provide tools to solve natural resource challenges.”

If confirmed by the U. S. Senate, Kimball would lead the science agency of more than 8,000 scientists, technicians and support staff in more than 400 locations across the United States. The USGS mission is to provide reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

The USGS Director also serves as Science Advisor to the Secretary of the Interior, overseeing activities of the Department’s Strategic Science Group and chairing the team of nine bureau science advisors.

Before assuming the USGS Acting Director position last year, Kimball served as the Deputy Director from 2010 to 2013; as the Associate Director for Geology from 2008 to 2010; as the Director of the Eastern Region from 2004 to 2008; and as the Eastern Regional Executive for Biology from 1998 to 2004. She was previously Acting Director from January to November 2009.
 
As Deputy Director, Kimball had executive leadership responsibility to execute scientific and administrative functions supported by USGS’s budget in excess of $1.1 billion. Kimball also led USGS’s international activities and represented all North American geological surveys on international mapping endeavors.
 
As Associate Director for Geology, International and Climate Programs, Kimball was responsible for the development and strategic design of those important programs, and for programmatic performance metrics, budget initiatives and representation to the Department, OMB, Congress, other federal agencies and academic partners.
 
Before working at USGS, Kimball served at the National Park Service as the Southeast Associate Regional Director and Regional Chief Scientist from 1993 to 1998. From 1991 to 1993, she was Research Coordinator in the Global Climate Change Program at the National Park Service; an Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia; and Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Center for Coastal Management and Policy and Associate Marine Scientist at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary.
 
Kimball served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1983 to 1986 as a Coastal Engineering Research Center Chief and a Program Manager for Barrier Islands Sedimentation Studies. From 1979 to 1983, she served as a Research Coordinator and a Research Assistant at the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia.
 
Kimball received a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences / Coastal & Oceanographic Processes from the University of Virginia (1983); an M.S. in Geology / Geophysics from Ball State University (1981); and a B.A. from the College of William and Mary.
 
Kimball has authored more than 75 technical publications on issues dealing with coastal ecosystem science, coastal zone management and policy, and natural resource exploration, evaluation and management. She has delivered more than 50 invited professional presentations and 70 conference presentations. Her numerous professional appointments and offices include serving on the National Academy of Science’s Institute of Medicine, Roundtable on Environmental Health, Research and Medicine; NAS Roundtable on Science & Technology for Sustainability and U.S. National Committee for Geosciences of the NAS Board on International Scientific Organizations.

Kimball has twice received the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive Leadership and the Secretary’s Gold Award for Executive Leadership. 

 

 

Ron Lofton joined the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in 1978, at the National Mapping Center in Rolla, Missouri. Now located in Denver, Colorado, he is currently serving as Chief of Staff of the Geospatial Technical Operations Center (NGTOC). The NGTOC provides essential support for the acquisition and management of trusted geospatial data, products and services through world-class geospatial technical expertise and customer service for the U.S. Geological Survey and the Nation.

 

He has been involved in several leadership and management activities with a focus on more innovative approaches to government (public and private sector partnerships; data accessibility; customer focus organizations; entrepreneurial government; and next step agencies). As Senior Operations Manager in the USGS National Geospatial Program, he is responsible for the oversight and management of the acquisition of geospatial data, products and services in support of The National Map.

 

Lofton became involved in the USGS Geospatial Information Program after completion of the Department of Interior’s Management Development Program. He also served as an intern in Senator Ben “Nighthorse” Campbell’s Office and part of a team responsible for implementing a National Performance Review Project to reinvent “Information and Product Distribution.” In 1999 he received the Department of the Interior Meritorious Service Award. Currently, Lofton is serving as the Federal Liaison Director on IMIA (Americas) Board of Directors as well as the new President of the IMIA International Board of Directors. 

 

London Book Fair

8th – 10th April 2014

Earls Court, London

 

IMIA will again have a stand at the London Book Fair and as a member, you can benefit. Panels are available for purchase. The benefits of purchasing a panel are: 

• YOU promote your company at the world’s second largest book fair.
• YOU have space to conduct meetings.
• YOU avoid the full cost of a stand.
• YOU are free to visit other stands without being tied to one place.
• YOU have refreshments on hand for your guests and you.
• Includes exhibitor passes for your guests and you.

PRICES: US$1200 or AUS$1280 or €900 or £750 per panel plus VAT where applicable.

(NB: price includes exhibitor entry pass). Please contact your Executive Director for further information.

Confirmed Exhibitors to Date: ITMB Publishing Ltd., Interkart GmbH, MapSherpa, and MapsofWorld.

 

Potential Exhibitors: AppsNRanks, Stellanova, mbm Systems GMbH, Global Mapping, and XYZ Maps Ltd.

 

  

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Infobase Limited (CIL) / MapsofWorld is now the official map provider to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), the world’s leading power transmission utility transmitting about 50 percent of the total power generated in India on its transmission network on a pan India level. CIL is responsible for development of AutoCAD maps of States, Regions and India map as a whole showing transmission lines, generating stations, (thermal, nuclear, hydro, wind) and electric substations, which will be used for real time data flow and analysis. Along with this, CIL is also developing a Flash application for POWERGRID on pan India level showing all the transmission lines and electric stations / sub-stations in an interactive manner with details and utilities of each line / station shown in a pop box. With regard to publishing, CIL will also be providing a printed Power Maps Atlas in multiple languages to POWERGRID.

 

CIL / MapsofWorld are now a premier cartography and GIS map data company in developing maps for Atlases. CIL have developed a world atlas with maps of different scales from 1 million to 8 million for different European clients in multiple languages. Moving forward, we have also developed golf atlases for various organizations of international repute and recently we worked on a children’s atlas for one of our European clients with maps being developed in three major European languages along with an English version.  

 

Earthinsite.com has announced that it’s highly popular sea surface temperature, sea colour and ocean current service for offshore anglers is now available for iPhone/iPads, Smartphones and Tablets. Following requests from subscribers a new Mobile Device service was introduced on Christmas Eve on www.seasurface.com  and www.seasurface.co.nz. The new service was developed in conjunction with fellow IMIA member and international digital business developer AppsnRanks.

Earthinsite.com’s Managing Director, Mr. John Payne, said “The service’s subscribers have shown a great take-up rate so far and I expect this will further increase as the fishing season progresses and tournaments start to happen around Australia and New Zealand. Our company was very happy with the excellent service and technical ability shown by Mani Singh and his company AppsnRanks.” Further development of the service is planned in the near future. A link to our newsletter may be found at: