Sharyn
Ken Juengling is a project manager at the Center for GIS (CGIS) and was also recently elected Vice President of ESRI Mid-Atlantic User Group (ESRI-MUG) at the organization’s annual conference. I have first-hand experience with Ken’s high energy approach, because I’ve worked with him on many projects in the past couple of years. It doesn’t surprise me that he’d take on an extra role like Vice President of a regional organization even though his to-do list is pretty long. He took some time out for a brief interview, so read on to find out more about his hefty work load and his passion for GIS!
What is the primary role you will focus your attention to as Vice President?
I will conduct outreach to existing and new members, support ESRI-MUG’s President with a variety of tasks, and facilitate regularly scheduled conference calls in the President’s absence. We are always looking for innovative presentations for the annual conference, so to all of the ESRI software clients out there – feel free to contribute your work and participate!
Tell me more about ESRI-MUG and their goal as regional user group on the east coast.
ESRI-MUG is a multi-disciplinary organization sponsored by ESRI (a leading developer of commercial GIS software and GIS products) that serves a membership base of users who apply GIS technology and applications in both private and public areas. Membership covers a 121,000 square-mile geographic extent, including Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and West Virginia. Through meetings, conferences, and the ESRI-MUG Web site, the organization educates members about GIS trends, ESRI product development, local and regional applications, and events of interest.
You’ve been working for CGIS for 2 years now as a project manager. Can you expand on a couple of projects you currently manage?
I currently manage several large projects for CGIS. I’ll highlight a couple:
Through the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program, CGIS is working with the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security to survey and identify non-NIMS emergency resources tracking systems in the six states that comprise FEMA Region 3. CGIS will create a regional view of the survey results, map selected resources, and recommend ways the various systems’ interoperability can be improved across the region.
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) provides accessible transit networks for the State, and in doing so, handles various products that can affect the environment. To respond to complex transit and environmental challenges, MTA partnered with CGIS to conduct a GIS needs assessment and develop a GIS-based centralized resource center that supports MTA’s daily operations and promotes continuous improvement. CGIS created a Web-based Geo Information System and GIS map viewer for MTA that enables ready access to reference materials and recordkeeping, and allows personnel to explore the MTA terminal map to find useful geographic information for compliance enhancement, utility reference, project activities, and other essential operational processes.
Prior to beginning this full-time stint at CGIS, you had a long-standing relationship with CGIS dating back to 2002 where you partnered with them to offer ESRI Authorized training. Does CGIS still offer training to GIS professionals?
Absolutely! CGIS has always recognized the importance of providing technical training to those who use GIS technology. I personally believe strongly in empowering clients and helping them to grow expertise at the pace they are comfortable with. Our ongoing offerings can be viewed here. In addition to open enrollment offerings, CGIS can conduct on-site training for clients anywhere in the United States.
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Bobbie Laur
Sharyn Grove
Jeremy Monn
Raquel Frye
Clay Hickson
Dawn Bott
Lindsey Meyer
Allie Pyzik
Daraius Irani
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Jenn Lake
Kelsey Beckett
Timothy Brooks
Ashley Buzzeo
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