NEURISA - Meet the NEURISA Board

Ryan Norton is the GIS Specialist for the Town of Foxborough, Massachusetts, where he has worked since July 2013. He received his undergrad at UMass Boston where he studied Earth, Environmental and Ocean Science with a GIS concentration, and his Master of Arts in Geographic Information Sciences at Clark University in Worcester, MA. He also spent last summer taking a class at NUI Galway in Ireland. In his spare time he is developing a website using PostGIS which will facilitate connections between GIS professionals, employers, academia, and other organizations. He is also an avid musician, enjoys getting outside, loves to travel, especially to Europe, and is an avid runner having just completed his first marathon.

Jennie Byron, Immediate Past-President

Jennie Byron is a Senior Solutions Engineer for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Environment (AEC) sector at Esri. She has over 15 years of experience leading projects in GIS, CAD and 3D visualization and provides spatial solutions at the local and international level on projects spanning infrastructure, energy, geology, mineral exploration, waste management, hydrology, and environmental science. She taught “GIS Applications in the Earth Sciences” to 3rd year undergraduate students at Laurentian University, Canada for several years. She holds a B.Sc. in Geology from Acadia University and an Advanced Diploma in GIS from the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS). For many years, Jennie was a senior member of Golder’s global Spatial Information Management Technical Community, supporting GIS innovation and technical excellence. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and being oceanside.

James Armstrong, President-Elect

James Armstrong has been involved with the URISA family for many years. Beginning on the Carolina URISA Board of Directors, including a year as President, then serving on the Board of Directors for NEURISA and finally serving a 3-year term on the URISA Board of Directors. James is now living in BOston MA as a partner in GIS consulting firm - Spatial Relationships, LLC. Additionally he currently serves as a Faculty Affiliate for the Geospatial Program at the Northeastern University College of Professional STudies. He is honored to work with the NEURISA Board and members in whatever manner is most productive.

Thad Dymkowski, GISP, Treasurer

Thad Dymkowski is the GIS Analyst for the Town of South Windsor, Connecticut. With a BA and MS in Geography/GIS from Central Connecticut State University, and almost 20 years of professional experience, Thad has contributed to the private sector, public sector, and the world of academia. You may or may not have seen him present at a NEARC conference, NEURISA Day, a GIS Day event, or any other place people are happy to listen to him. He is most proud of his 8 year old twins, but also his GISP and the GIS Certificate Program that he created and teaches at his alma mater. This is his fifth term in the role of Treasurer for NEURISA, though he has been a longtime supporter of NEURISA. When not playing the role of GIS professional, he likes playing soccer with his kids, listening to live music, and sitting on any beach with his wife.

Matt Franz, GISP, Secretary

Matt Franz is the GIS Analyst at the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) where he provides GIS management, services and support to CMRPC staff, member communities and outside agencies. Activities include GIS data/Database development/maintenance, GIS training, GIS/Database technical support and project development and implementation. Matt has been working in state and municipal GIS since 2000. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Cartography from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. When not creating maps and editing data, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, playing board games, swimming and most things Sci-fi.

Craig Austin (At-Large)

Craig has over ten years experience as a GIS Analyst, all at MassGIS. For about 10 years, he has been managing the QA process for our Parcel/CAMA statewide datalayer. This involves receiving incoming submissions from each of the 351 cities and towns (plus the economic development area of Devens), working with GIS staff or designated vendors to correct issued uncovered, and preparing the files for uploading. Craig also reviews challenges to MassGIS representation of municipal boundaries and coordinate what must be done. He volunteers with several organizations including two watershed associations, Blue Hill Meteorolical Observatory, and Norwood Trails Committee, and volunteered at the FOSS4G Conf in Boston.

Andrew Bartshire (At-Large)

Andrew moved to Bristol, Rhode Island in 2020 and for the last 10 years has been working with CSG developing our program’s GIS capabilities. In that time we have gone from paper maps with hand drawn “x’s” to a fully integrated ArcGIS Enterprise using Survey123 and Field Maps for data entry and ArcGIS Online for data sharing. We have become a hub for local stakeholders to access our data and also our forms that are being used by multiple agencies. I am currently working remotely as the GIS and IT manager with CSG and manage two full time staff. In my free time I enjoy construction, photography, and gardening. My wife, Suzanne, is a nurse at Newport Hospital and we have a full house with two cats (Folly and Kirra) and our dog (Hygge).

Danica Cucchi (At-Large)

Danica Cucchi is the GIS Coordinator for the Town of Randolph in Massachusetts. She received her Bachelor's degree at Framingham State University where she studied Environmental Science, Law, and Policy with minors in GIS and Biology. Danica has contributed to both the private and public sectors, where she has brought her passion for GIS for the use of utilities and asset management. She is also looking to spearhead Stormwater infrastructure for the town and to teach both residents and staff about the infinite use of GIS. Danica loves to connect with people in the GIS community and to learn more. In her spare time, she enjoys finding new trails to hike and listening to music!

Lynn Carlson, GISP, At-Large (Marketing / Social Media Coordinator)

Lynn Carlson has over 25 years of experience working with Geographic Information System software and geospatial databases. She was first exposed to GIS in the late 1980s while working at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and the technology was in its infancy (command line ArcInfo v. 5). In 1998 she moved from RIDEM to Brown University to manage the school’s newly formed dedicated GIS and Remote Sensing computer lab. In this position, she provided GIS expertise to researchers, staff, students, and facility managers across campus for 23 years. Having just retired from Brown (October, 2021) she is now doing freelance GIS work dba Compass Cartographic, remains an active member of the RIGIS Executive Committee, and has recently been appointed to her town’s conservation commission. Lynn is an avid dog sport enthusiast and regularly participates in agility, barn hunt, and nosework.

Rosemary Mosher (At-Large)

Rosemary is a GIS data visualization specialist for Viewshed in Yarmouth, ME. She works with numerous clients assisting them to tell their stories using visual tools. Rosemary has a great deal of experience working with ArcGIS Online, training, and working with a variety of municipal government GIS projects. After spending nearly 20 years as a data analyst, she returned to college to find a new passion and found it in GIS, graduating from the University of Southern Maine with a degree in geography and geology. In the 25 years since that time, she has worked in academia as a GIS curriculum developer and GIS instructor, in the public sector as a GIS Manager, and currently in the private sector. In her spare time, she enjoys quilting, reading, spending time outdoors, and exploring Maine’s rich history.

Emily Pettit, GISP (At-Large and Design Lead)

Emily Pettit is the GIS Systems Analyst for the Maine Office of GIS (MEGIS), which provides geospatial data, services, and support to GIS users in state government and the broader geospatial community. Emily enjoys bringing her geospatial experience to work supporting public, state, and federal projects across a variety of industry applications and topics.

A. Tito Sanchez, GISP (At-Large)

With over 17 years of experience in the engineering, utilities, and consulting fields, Tito utilizes his geospatial know-how to provide clients with the ability to solve complex real-world problems. Tito’s dedication to his clients, professional achievement, and a deep knowledge of Geographic Information Systems allows clients to see issues in a different light, empowering them to determine unique solutions for their specific projects.

Katie Walker (At-Large)

Katie Walker is a geospatial professional with cross cultural communication skills and a passion for utilizing data visualization for environmental and social issues. Katie graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Geography and certificate in Geospatial Information Analysis. She has worked internationally and currently volunteers with the Red Cross. Katie also enjoys volunteering, traveling, photography, and cooking.

Tim Woodfield, GISP (At-Large)

Tim Woodfield is the Senior Geospatial Specialist at Dawood Engineering where he acts as the project lead on asset management, data collection, and inspection projects, along with providing overall project management. Tim also oversees the online mapping and web application deployment for the department. He has been with Dawood for what will be 5 years in March and recently obtained his GISP. Tim graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a bachelors in Environmental Geography with a focus in GIS. Go Blue Devils! Outside of work, Tim enjoys hiking, mountain biking, going to sporting events, and finding new restaurants and breweries throughout New England.

The New England Chapter of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (NEURISA) is the professional association of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) practitioners in New England. NEURISA is a nonprofit 501(c)6 organization whose mission is to advance the effective and appropriate use of GIS and related information technologies to solve challenges throughout the region.