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Geospatial Custodian role filled
Author: Sue Gordon
Date: 29 September 2009
- 4 Comments
Kevin Sweeney has been appointed as Land Information New Zealand's Geospatial Custodian.
Kevin joins LINZ following 16 years of both managerial and technical geospatial experience in the public, private and academic sectors in his native United States.
Kevin's visa application is currently being processed, and he's anticipating starting in the role in the New Year. Kevin, his wife and daughters - aged six and three - are looking forward to relocating to Wellington. We will advise when Kevin's start date is confirmed.
For the last six years, Kevin has worked in the private sector as a GIS Manager at CH2M HILL in Atlanta, Georgia, and FMSM Engineers in Columbus, Ohio. In these roles, he administered GIS staff and operations, managed programmes and projects, and coordinated business development efforts. He also served as a senior consultant for LAND elements inc., in Colorado Springs, Colorado, advising a start-up land planning company on geospatial technology solutions.
Kevin has worked in the public sector in multiple leadership roles, including Director of Technical Services for Marana, Arizona. He provided a wide range of technical support, including GIS implementations, 3D visualization, application development and cartographic production. Kevin was the Marana representative for regional planning and geospatial initiatives, served as a senior technical liaison for city administrators, and coordinated strategic planning and policy development for the GIS Division.
Throughout his career, Kevin has developed and delivered geospatial training sessions and presentations for a wide range of audiences. He is certified in the US as a GIS Professional.
Kevin holds a Masters degree in Geography from the University of Arizona and a Bachelors degree in Geography from Northern Arizona University. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys hiking, mountain biking and travelling, and is eager to explore all of the natural and cultural wonders New Zealand has to offer.
LINZ advertised the Geospatial Custodian role in May, and we went to great lengths to ensure the successful applicant has the right mix of technical and inter-personal skills, as well as private and public sector experience.
Acting Geospatial Custodian, Adam Cooper, will continue in the role until Kevin comes on board early next year.
Sue Gordon
General Manager Strategic Development and Support
Land Information New Zealand
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Comments
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To a point I agree with Fred, it would have been great to have a local in the position, however, the industry needs new blood and new ideas. I look forward to working with Kevin.
Posted by Dave, 08/10/2009 12:58pm (2 months ago)
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I think Kevin could bring a new and interesting perspective to LINZ, NZGO and the NZ Geospatial industry. Congratulations Kevin.
Posted by Ian Tidy, 07/10/2009 10:20am (2 months ago)
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It's cool that this role has been filled with someone with an interesting and varied background. Looking forward to Kevin starting.
Posted by Suzanne Mavoa, 07/10/2009 10:02am (2 months ago)
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Crying shame that a New Zealander did not get this job. Looking at this guys CV it hard to think there wasn't someone in NZ with similar experience?
Posted by Fred, 07/10/2009 8:02am (2 months ago)
