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Candidate for Board - Al Little

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Candidate for Board
Al Little

 

Al Little is the Manager of GIS Services for the City of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is responsible for the management, coordination, implementation, and administration of corporate geographic information system services. Al has over 24 years experience in the surveying, mapping, and GIS industry, 22 of which have been in the municipal environment. In 2002, Al was granted the designation of Ontario Land Information Professional (OLIP) from the Association of Ontario Land Surveryors, which was one of the first professional organizations in North America to certify Geographic Information Managers.

Professional Experience

Corporation of the City of Hamilton – Hamilton, Ontario

  • Cartographic Technician (1986 to 1989)

  • GIS Landbase Development Coordinator (1989 to 2000)

  • Manager of GIS Services (2000 to 2007)

  • Acting Director, Information Technology Services (2007-2007)

  • Manager of GIS Services (2007 to present)

A.T. McLaren Limited (Ontario Land Surveyors) – Hamilton, Ontario

  • Legal Survey Draftsperson (1985 to 1986)

Educational Highlights

Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology – Toronto, Ontario

  • Cartographic Technician Diploma (1983 to 1985)

Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology – Hamilton, Ontario

  • Computer Interactive Graphics Certificate (1985 to 1987)

University of Waterloo – Waterloo, Ontario

  • Bachelor of Environmental Studies (1988 to 1992)

George Washington University – Washington, D.C.

  • Managing Information Technology Projects (2000)

Professional Affiliations

URISA – International (1993 to present)
URISA – Ontario Chapter (1993 to present)
Association of Ontario Land Surveyors (2002 to present)

Team Awards

Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) - Ontario Chapter

  • SILVER Award – Best Web GIS Challenge (May 2003)

  • GOLD Award – Map Gallery Competition (May 2003)

  • GOLD Award - Best Municipal GIS Challenge (May, 2004)

  • GOLD Award - Map Gallery Showcase (May, 2004)

  • SILVER Award - Map Gallery Showcase (May, 2005)

GeoSpatial World 2003 – Cartographic Excellence Awards

  • FIRST Place – Internet Presentation (May 2003)

  • FIRST RUNNER UP – Plotted Map (May 2003)

Directions Magazine Web Mapping Contest

  • FIRST Place – Government Category (July 2003)

Geospatial Information & Technology Association

  • Excellence Award – Public Sector/Local Government (April 2004)

Government Technology

  • GOLD Medal - Distinction Awards 2004 (October, 2004)

Economic Development Council of Ontario (EDCO)

  • FIRST Place - Best Municipal Economic Development Web Site (January, 2007)

URISA Activities

  • International member (1993 to present)

  • Ontario Chapter member (1993 to present)

  • Local Arrangements Committee (URISA ’97 – Toronto)

  • Ontario Chapter Board of Directors (1994 to 2000)

  • Ontario Chapter Telecommunications Committee (1996 to 2002)

  • Ontario Chapter Webmaster (1996 to 2002)

  • Ontario Chapter Programs Committee (1993 to 1996)

  • Numerous presentations at both Local and International URISA events

  • Annual conference attendee since 1995 (unfortunately, missed 2003)

  • Ontario Chapter Exemplary Service Award Receipient (2007)

  • Annual conference Planning Committee 2006-2008

Statement to the Membership

"I have been a proud member of both URISA International and the local Ontario Chapter since 1993. URISA provides GIS practitioners with the ideal forum for vital continuing education in the field, and the establishment of a "wide area network" of useful contacts with similar interests. The educational sessions, workshops, conferences, newsletters, periodicals, journals, and other member services are worth every penny!"

This was a quote I offered for inclusion in a membership brochure many years ago. I can honestly say, “nothing has changed”!

As a professional in such a technology-dependant industry, the value of life-long learning cannot be underestimated nor ignored. It is my belief that professional organizations, such as URISA, play an extremely vital role in providing opportunities to that end. These opportunities must continue to be presented to all members, in all sectors, in all jurisdictions, and at all levels. URISA has an enviable reputation for being able to provide such exceptional level of service to its membership.

URISA is blessed with both a highly-motivated, skilled, and respected staff as well as having a strong history of pro-active, effective leaders on the Board of Directors. Together, we must continually search for the “diamonds-in-the-rough” within our membership in order to plan for tomorrow’s leadership.

To accomplish this, there needs to be strong relationships maintained across all URISA organizational levels. This includes active involvement of all Chapters, and an emphasis on encouraging more participation at the international level, especially as we move towards a truly global geospatial community. With increasing difficulties with respect to travel in some jurisdictions, the local Chapters must play an increasingly important role. Our challenge is to help foster and support their capabilities.

After spending most of 2007 as the Acting Director of Information Technology Services for the City of Hamilton, I can also attest to the importance of continued efforts to seamlessly integrate GIS technologies into mainstream IT applications at all levels within the enterprise. URISA must endeavor to support and promote this, and consciously look to embracing the concept of GIS as just one plank of the overall enterprise technology platform.

I look forward to strengthening my URISA involvement if you allow me to serve you on the Board of Directors. I gratefully accept the nomination, and pledge to continue to direct my skills and energy towards advancing the beliefs outlined.

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