Congratulations to 2014 WLIA award winners

Each year at our Annual Conference, the Wisconsin Land Information Association honors a group of our colleagues for their dedication to WLIA and the broader Wisconsin geospatial community.  Congratulations go out to our 2014 award winners!  The awards were presented by outgoing WLIA President Scott Galetka on Friday, February 14th, 2014.

Allen H. Miller Sustained Service Award:
William Huxhold

Given to an individual or organization that demonstrates sustained service to WLIA and the WLIP, through continued exemplary contributions. The Allen H. Miller Sustained Service Award is named after our first President and continuing friend and supporter.

Bill has been a longstanding member of WLIA, serving in several capacities over the years, as a presenter, a trainer, an educator, an innovator, a board member, a colleague, a friend and a professional. He has been an advocate, not only for our organization, but for our profession.

 

 

 

 

 

President’s Award:
Andrew Faust and Jim Lacy

The President’s Award is a meritorious award given at the President’s discretion.  The President may select someone at their discretion based on the support that person offers the President or the Association.

 

 

Government Achievement Award:
Legislative Technology Services Bureau

Given to a municipal, town, county, regional planning commission, state, federal, or tribal government or consortium that has demonstrated excellence in one or more of the following areas: innovative and efficient use of resources (best “bang for the buck”), sustainable development of critical local, regional, or statewide geospatial datasets, implementation of creative cooperative agreements, creation of innovative applications and information services that improve the delivery of government services to citizens.

While their primary mission is to support the Wisconsin Legislature, the staff at the Legislative Technology Services Bureau (LTSB) is always willing to “lend a hand” and provide outstanding support to the broader geospatial community in Wisconsin. LTSB has led the charge in encouraging Wisconsin counties to sign up for the U.S. Census Bureau Consolidated Boundary and Annexation Survey (C-BAS). LTSB doesn’t just stand by and act as a cheerleader for the program; they go the extra mile and provide the tools and training needed to make participation easy. The implications of LTSB’s ongoing support of the C-BAS program are far-reaching. Through LTSB’s efforts, the U.S. Census operates from the best available local sources of data, which in turn drives important social programs that benefit Wisconsin’s citizens. In addition, thanks to LTSB’s efforts with C-BAS, state and regional governments now have access to a growing list of much-improved boundary data throughout the state. LTSB also performed with integrity during the politically-charged process of legislative re-redistricting. Once again, LTSB provided training to help local governments understand the redistricting process. In addition to providing direct support for nearly 1,900 municipalities in the state, they led the effort to implement a Web-based tool called “WISE-LR” that eased the process of creating county supervisory, aldermanic and municipal ward boundaries. Through the efforts of LTSBand their WISE-LR partners, local governments in Wisconsin saved countless hours of staff time. The Legislative Technology Services Bureau (LTSB) exemplifies innovation, cooperation, and outstanding service in government.

 

 

Outstanding Contribution Award:
Jon Schwichtenberg and AJ Wortley

Given to an individual or an organization that is a WLIA member and has made a substantial contribution to WLIA activities or the Wisconsin Land Information Program (WLIP).

For outstanding work outside of his normal working context at GRAEF, in dedication to assisting in the legislative and multiple other efforts of WLIA, specifically in the past three years. Jon’s leadership throughout the last three years, has led to fruitful efforts for geospatial aspects in Wisconsin, including the results of Act 20 and many other efforts. He has conducted multiple presentations at our conferences throughout his 17 years as a member of WLIA. He is the 2013 Past President of WLIA, the Legislative Committee Chair and serves on multiple other committees as well. Jon works hard to further the geospatial profession outside of WLIA, with serving on the Wisconsin Geographic Information Coordination Council (WIGICC) as the current Chairperson, as well as efforts in education, working with local k-12 schools, technical colleges and multiple professional organizations.

 

AJ has been heavily involved in WLIA activities since 1998. He has served on multiple task forces and committees, served two terms on the board of directors, is a past-president, and has provided countless presentations at WLIA conferences (usually on less than 2 hours sleep!). He spent many hours assisting the DOA in crafting the 2009 and 2013 – Wisconsin Land Information Program Report. His dedication, hard work, and advocacy assisting WLIA’s legislative efforts related to the WLIP has been instrumental to our organization’s legislative success throughout the last several years.

 

 

Friend of Land Records Award:
State Representative Patricia Strachota

Given to an individual or organization that is not a WLIA member and has contributed to the success or advancement of land records modernization in Wisconsin.

Rep. Strachota was instrumental in being our champion in the legislature as well as more specifically in the Joint Finance Committee, for instituting the final language for Act 20. Efforts through many meetings, many individuals and organizations, led to Rep. Strachota leading our way down the right path to the signing of Act 20, which re-invigurated the WLIP through future additional funding and a more secure funding mechanism.

 

 

 

 

Distinguished Service Award:
William Cozzens, Adam Derringer, Brian Dubis, John Ellingson, Andy Faust, Trish Nau

Given to outgoing Board members as thanks for their service and dedication to the Wisconsin Land Information Association.