Biography

Mark A. Helmken, Director, joined CGIS in 2010, bringing more than 20 years of experience successfully integrating GIS and related technologies with several business sectors and IT. He ensures CGIS's ability to fulfill its mission to make GIS technology accessible and relevant by guiding and managing the organization's growth as a regional resource for GIS services, applications, and training, and by further developing the organizational culture and values that result in client trust and a reputation for excellence. Mr. Helmken previously worked in forest products, utility, petroleum exploration, and risk analysis organizations. In those organizations he successfully led development of GIS for natural resource management information systems, built effective teams, and delivered award-winning projects. He and his teams received Esri's Special Achievement in GIS awards in 1999 and again in 2002 for leadership in developing enterprise GIS systems in the forest products industry. Mr. Helmken is Chair-Elect (2012-2013) of the Maryland State Geographic Information Committee, a state wide GIS advocacy organization whose membership comes from state, local, regional, and federal agencies, as well as academia and private industry. Mr. Helmken is also an adjunct lecturer at McDaniel College, where he teaches Introduction to GIS. Mr. Helmken holds a Master of Forestry degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management, both from Clemson University.