I started reading and drawing maps when I was six years old. Even at that early age I could see how powerful they were and I wanted to understand how they were created and how people got the information to put on them! Working with geo-spatial technology, such as GIS, GPS, and remote sensing, has afforded me the opportunity to match my interest in mapping with my passion for the environment. I'm especially interested in resource conservation issues, whether it is wilderness areas or places of intensive human activity. I'm also curious about how culture and value systems intersect with human stewardship of the land in the U.S. and in different parts of the world. Despite great advances in technology, there are still some basic limitations to human survival that are becoming even more apparent as human population continues to grow exponentially.

I have traveled extensively around the United States, Mexico, and Canada to study the physical and cultural landscape of North America. I've also researched and traveled to the South Pacific, with particular interest in Tahiti and New Zealand. While most of the rest of my experience with the wider world is via research, mapping and remote sensing, I have a strong interest in international travel and have many places yet to see on my "to-do list".

I currently work with a number of organizations within County government to promote the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in decision making. I enjoy working in County government because the scope is local, yet broad enough to examine issues in the context of larger systems. I think we are making good progress in using it to solve everyday problems in a wide range of government services, especially in public safety. My goal is to make using geo-spatial technology a seamless part of our employees' daily consumption of information, in the same way that no one thinks overly much about how they use a web browser to access information on the Internet. Check out the link below for our recent collaborative effort on an interactive GIS web site with the Permit and Resource Management Department.

I enjoy teaching at SRJC because I enjoy sharing what I've learned to students of all ages, and I love seeing their passion develop into their avocation. I also consider it to be an honor and a privilege to teach at the same institution where I started my college education three decades ago!

Geography as a major field of study is useful for expanding personal knowledge of the world, but it also provides excellent tools and general education for designing a career path that matches aptitude and interest with job potential. If you love maps (and computers) and observing and interacting with physical and/or cultural landscapes, it just might be the discipline for you!