Volunteers Recognized for Contributions

During GPN's recent GIS-Pro in the Rockies 2025 annual conference in Denver, Colorado, a number of members were recognized for exceptional volunteer service. 

Horwood Distinguished Service Award: An occasional award given for long-term service to URISA and the profession. This award is GPN's ultimate award for service and leadership to GPN and within the geospatial industry. Awardees will have demonstrated significant contributions to both URISA and the geospatial technologies industry. The Horwood Distinguished Service Award is named after founding member and first President, Edgar Horwood. Horwood was an early pioneer in the field of information systems for local government and admired by all for his intellectual and organizational contributions to URISA. Horwood was the Chair of the constitutional drafting committee, giving URISA the "open membership" model that has led to our inter-disciplinary organization.

2025 Recipient: Thomas Fisher

Leadership Award: Presented to members who have demonstrated exemplary leadership to GPN, creativity, innovation, and dedicated support of URISA programs. The recipient should be a member of GPN for enough years to show a pattern of leadership. Typically, the recipient will have been responsible for new programs or activities, or significantly enhanced an existing activity or program, so that it takes GPN in a new direction and/or enhances our standing in the professional community.
   

2025 Recipients: Judy Colby-George & Sid Pandey 

Service Award: Presented to members who have demonstrated faithful service to URISA and participation in its program over a period of several years. This award is for specific service to URISA. It should require a significant number of years of (not necessarily consecutive) service in a number of programs or committees, and a willingness to take on challenges without regard to the potential for recognition.

         

Pictured: John Nolte with Carley Fitzgerald, Rachel Frojen, Heather Studley, Tim Nolan, and Jami Dennis

2025 Recipients: Kristin Johnston*, Carley Fitzgerald, Rachel Frojen, Heather Studley, Tim Nolan, Jami Dennis, Greg Mattis*

Barbara Hirsch Special Service Award: Presented to members or staff who have made special contributions to URISA. This award was created (in 2004) to honor URISA’s former Chief Financial Officer, Barbara Hirsch. Barb made her mark at URISA by being an exceptional professional who would always step forward when a point needed to be made, but never stepped to the front for recognition. It is in the spirit of this dedication that the Board of Directors has created an award for special service to URISA. This award will be given to individuals or committees who have shown a similar consummate level of service to URISA through an ongoing commitment to our success as an organization.

2025 Recipients: Matthew Gerike, Danielle Giza*

Outstanding Chapter Award
Each year, URISA recognizes an outstanding Chapter that has sponsored particularly effective activities or has otherwise excelled in serving its membership. Outstanding Chapter Award criteria include:

• Innovation
• Outreach
• Education
• Community Impact

2025 Recipient: Texas Chapter

Young Professional of the Year: GPN's Leadership Development Committee selects the Young Professional of the Year to recognize outstanding contributions as part of the Vanguard Cabinet.

The Vanguard Cabinet (VC) debuted in 2011 to engage young GIS practitioners (35 and under), increase their numbers in the organization, and better understand the concerns facing these future leaders of the GIS community. The Cabinet’s mission is to collaborate with GPN's Board of Directors and Committees in creating and promoting programs and policies of benefit to young professionals. Comprised entirely of passionate young members selected from different geospatial disciplines, the Cabinet aims to position GPN as the center of opportunities for creative young professionals who are committed to improving the organization and the geospatial profession via innovation, collaboration, networking, and professional development.

2025 Recipient: Ethan McGhee

We are so very grateful for their contributions! To learn about the history and previous recipients, visit https://thegpn.org/page/ServiceAwards

* Not in attendance

About GPN: The Geospatial Professional Network is a dynamic community of GIS professionals, providing top-tier education, networking opportunities, and career development resources. Committed to upholding the highest ethical standards, GPN empowers members to advance their careers, support their organizations, and shape the future of the geospatial profession.