I thoroughly enjoy using Geographic Information Systems technology, and see it as one of the best methods to allow people to develop innovative, intelligent solutions to complex problems. In my job, I expand the use of GIS technology throughout Pueblo County’s enterprise, as a foundation for the County’s E-Government initiatives. Along with my staff, I've tackled hundreds of complex projects and am helping to shape the future of how Pueblo County conducts business. By utilizing GIS technology, the County departments I serve have downsized their budgets, work more efficiently, effectively coordinate with other agencies and better serve the public’s needs. And, the community in which I live is more prosperous, works together better, and has a higher quality of life - in part because GIS allows the community to work together in ways never imagined before.
Pueblo, Colorado is an often overlooked gem, and is where I choose to live. It is tucked between Colorado's mountains and the Great American Desert, along the banks of the Arkansas River. Pueblo is home to distinct communities of 6th-generation Pueblo immigrants, has beautifully clean skies and vast fields of Mirasol chile. Our community is closely knit, friendly, patriotic and proud. Unfortunately, we're dealing with an epidemic of severe poverty, however, this is something that motivates me to work in my current capacity, affecting change within my community when I can.
For generations, thousands of people in Pueblo, Colorado have lived their lives in a perpetual cycle of poverty. For these people, it is impossible for them to break this cycle, because there are many external factors at play that prevent them from achieving economic stability. Acceptance (and often encouragement) of teenage pregnancy, gang influence and a lack of jobs paying a livable wage are insurmountable challenges to many. In order to break this cycle, I believe the Pueblo must focus its efforts on growing the profitability of the businesses already within the community. By doing this, small businesses (where 85% of all jobs within Pueblo are located) will pay better wages, offer insurance and benefits and grow in capacity to hire additional employees. Furthermore, I believe working with businesses to find creative ways to fund and create high-quality, affordable child care is critical to breaking a cycle of poverty.
I have been blessed to serve in a variety of capacities in both government and the public sector. In addition to being the GIS Manager for Pueblo County, Colorado, I’ve worn hats as the Information Technology Director for Natrona County Wyoming, President of Calico Multimedia, and IT Manager for Cottonwood Press, Inc. I was also a managing partner of BlueSky Quarterly Magazine, a popular quarterly publication devoted to Southeastern Colorado with a regular circulation of over 40,000.
I have a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from Colorado State University, and have received a number of certifications and awards. I serve on several boards and advisory committees, including the Colorado State Governor’s Data Advisory Board, Pueblo Community College Business and Advisory Board, GIS Colorado Board of Directors, the Pueblo School for Arts and Sciences Site Council, Arkansas River Watershed Invasive Plants Advisory Committee, Pueblo 2010 Recreation and Leisure Task Force and the Sangre de Cristo Resource Conservation & Development GIS Steering Committee. I enjoy being active in numerous GIS professional societies & associations, as well as some local political involvement.
Recently, I launched an Economic Gardening program for Pueblo County. This program seeks to capitalize upon existing resources and business assets in Pueblo County, and to assist businesses to modify their work practices to extend their market to a nationwide scale. I’m proud to be working with a number of partners to improve Pueblo County’s economy by growing the region’s alternative energy industries.
Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to be chosen to work for the United Nations, using GIS to support the response to the January earthquake in Haiti. This was a highly rewarding experience, telecommuting to Bonn, Germany nightly to build a system for the UN to handle the massive volumes of data being collected in Haiti. I was chosen to support the UN for this mission, having successfully integrated protection mechanisms for culturally significant historic assets in the San Isabel National Forest into state and federal forest management practices, and for innovative plume modeling work I did to support the Federal Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program.
I am currently working to bring several groups together within Pueblo to address methods to improve the quality of life within the city by growing community volunteerism and philanthropic giving, addressing poverty and obesity issues, and working with educational institutions to bridge the telecommunications gap for low-income families. I am a part-time instructor at Pueblo Community College, the Pueblo Small Business Development Center and the Mi Casa Resource Center for Women.
And, most importantly, my wife and I are proud parents of three wonderful children.
