2025-2026 NSGIC Board of Directors Election
Meet Leland!
Biography
Leland J. S. Pierce is a native of New Mexico and has been involved in conservation biology for over thirty years-and one does not accomplish conservation without geospatial technology and services. He has served and volunteered for the state and national geospatial infrastructure for almost as many years, having served as chair of the state advisory committee, as a member of teams to craft the state geospatial strategy, and as president of the state professional society. Leland has served on the board of NSGIC on two different occasions and has been the co-chair or chair of the Member Resources Committee since 2011. He is finishing his second run on the NSGIC Board.
Platform Statement
Some decades back, I developed an intense passion for getting the right data to the right person every time, and I soon learned that while this sounds simple it isn’t easy. In my pursuit of getting the right data to the right person every time, I came to learn that the states are uniquely positioned to have an over-large influence upon making that happen-and that the National States Geographic Information Council is the best organization to help the states. I’ve been volunteering for the organization ever since. I’ve watched the geospatial landscape and this organization advance and adapt, ever shifting, but it always comes back to helping people do great things. That is where my focus is.
The leadership of NSGIC has, over the last several boards, crafted a Strategic Plan to provide guidance and a means to measure progress as we keep moving forward. If elected to president-elect, I would build off the efforts of those boards make the most of that strategy. If elected, I would like to clarify where NSGIC stands in helping states participate in the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, simply to improve communication up and down the pipeline. I would seek to learn from the ongoing pilot projects under the NSDI. There is a national (horizontal) strategy in place, but each state’s relationship with the NSDI is different and requires a unique vertical strategy; NSGIC can play an important role in making those strategies a reality. I would seek to build off the work the NSGIC staff and leadership have and are doing to better position the organization financially; for instance, I could see great value in having a NSGIC staff person being in place to support the massive work being conducted by our Advocacy Committee. Such a position might also improve how NSGIC makes use of its many liaisons. And a strong financial footing would help us help the people of NSGIC attend our conferences. We must continue to invest in our conferences, keep providing the best content and the best networking opportunities possible. And we must continue to foster a strong relationship with our business partners and other partners, such as the tribal sovereignties. There is much to be done, and we must keep finding ways to gather and to collaborate.
That’s a lot. Most presidents, between the demands of the job and the short time in the position, only achieve 1 – 2 major actions during their tenure. All of the above are very important to NSGIC, and I am well aware there are other items our members consider just as or more important. I promise, therefore, two things: I will work to build our leadership pipeline, so our members are ready to be a chair, be a board member, or be a president. That’s how we keep it moving forward. And I promise that I will listen. You will be heard.
Thank you for this opportunity.
Director Candidates
Meet Katilin!
Biography
As GIS Coordinator at Allstate Consultants, Katilin leads the continued growth of their GIS program- advancing geospatial tools, streamlining data management, and supporting multidisciplinary civil engineering projects. Since joining Allstate in 2023, she has built efficient, repeatable workflows and championed best practices that strengthen how spatial data supports their work.
Katilin serves as Chair-Elect for the Missouri GIS Advisory Council (MGISAC) and as the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) Liaison for Missouri, where she collaborates with peers across the country to promote GIS innovation and policy at both state and national levels.
Katilin holds a Master’s in Geography from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor’s in Geography with a GIS minor from SIU Edwardsville. Beyond the technical side of GIS, she is passionate about mentorship, continuous learning, and creating space for the next generation of geospatial professionals.
Platform Statement
I’m running for the board to bring a young professional’s perspective to the table, someone who’s eager to learn from those who’ve built the foundation of our field, while also helping shape where we go next. My goal is to support NSGIC’s mission and strengthen connections across generations and areas of expertise.
While my day-to-day role is in the private sector, supporting projects that often involve public-private partnerships, my leadership positions with the MGISAC and NSGIC have given me the chance to work closely with state leaders. I’ve had the opportunity to listen and learn about the challenges they’re up against, and ask questions in NSGIC spaces to understand best practices and potential paths forward. That has kept me closely connected to what the industry is facing, and to where we can grow stronger together.
Even though I’m not in a state role, I have no intention of shifting NSGIC away from its foundation as a state-led organization. I respect that structure and am also coming in with the mindset of someone who truly wants to learn. I am eager to understand our industry’s history on a deeper level.
If elected, I will have two main focuses
- Helping young professionals find ways to engage, lead, and grow through NSGIC.
- Supporting policies and practices that make data more accessible, usable, and sustainable over time.
I’m not coming in with all the answers, but I care deeply about this work and am ready to listen. I’d be grateful for the opportunity to represent Missouri and help keep NSGIC moving forward.
Meet Haley!
Biography
Haley Feather is a servant leader—driven to help others, solve problems, and create opportunities that make a lasting impact. Whether developing geospatial solutions, guiding collaborative projects, or getting hands-on in the field, she approaches her work with a focus on service and results. She loves the outdoors, learning the game of golf, and cheering on Ole Miss football from the same season-ticket seats she has held since age five.
Haley earned her B.A. in Geosciences from Mississippi State University and an M.S. in Geography from The University of Southern Mississippi. She began her career at Mississippi 811, Inc. as GIS Coordinator, leading the creation of the state’s first comprehensive addressing dataset, launching an NG-911 focused addressing program, and co-authoring Mississippi’s first geospatial standards for point addressing and road centerlines. Now serving as Director of GIS, she advances governance, policy, and education initiatives that expand access to accurate data and strengthen collaboration.
In 2024, Haley was honored to serve a one-year term on the NSGIC Board of Directors. Through the work of advancing NSGIC’s strategic plan, she gained valuable leadership insight and strengthened relationships across the geospatial community. With humility and gratitude, she seeks reelection to continue learning from respected leaders and contributing to NSGIC’s mission.
Platform Statement
Hello again, I am Haley Feather, the NSGIC State Representative for the state of Mississippi. I am honored to seek re-election to the NSGIC Board of Directors for the 2025–2027 term. Serving on the NSGIC Board of Directors this past year has been a privilege and a learning experience that has deepened my commitment to our community. Working alongside talented leaders, I’ve been part of efforts to turn our strategic vision into action—creating opportunities for members to connect, collaborate, and find value in the relationships they build here. I’ve seen firsthand how these connections help states solve problems faster, share resources more effectively, and celebrate each other’s successes.
This past year, I’ve brought NSGIC’s mission directly to Mississippi’s State Council members, resulting in our first real buy-in from state leadership. These connections aren’t just professional—they’re the lifeblood of our organization, enabling us to tackle complex challenges with shared expertise. I believe NSGIC’s greatest strength is in our members’ willingness to teach, learn, and lead together, and I’m committed to fostering those relationships.
The work we do matters. It influences decisions, shapes policy, and drives real-world impact in every community we serve. My passion has always been to connect people with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships that help them succeed. As we move forward, I am committed to ensuring NSGIC remains a place where ideas grow, leaders emerge, and the value of geospatial data is championed for the good of all. When you cast your vote, I hope you’ll remember me as someone who leads with service, builds with purpose, and believes in the power of this community to make a difference.
Meet Katy!
Biography
Katy Hattenhauer brings over 20 years of public service experience with the State of Arkansas, with a career grounded in geographic information systems (GIS), data stewardship, and public safety initiatives.
She began her career at the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, where she served as the GIS Manager and Steward for the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) and the Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD). In this role, Katy was able to represent the Southern U.S. on national committees aimed at strengthening the NHD/WBD stewardship program and fostering long-term collaboration.
For the past six years, Katy has served as the Next Generation 9-1-1 Project Manager at the Arkansas GIS Office. In this capacity, she leads strategic efforts to modernize and support critical public safety infrastructure across the state, while continuing to contribute to other GIS initiatives.
Outside of work, Katy enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as pursuing hobbies like crafting, hiking, kayaking, and sports.
Platform Statement
I’m someone who believes in the power of hope and the impact of focusing on what truly matters. Sometimes that means re-prioritizing—and when we find ourselves stuck, I’m not afraid to shift into four-wheel drive to get us back on track. In short, I’m driven toward success.
Those who know me know I’m a sports fan, and I believe championships are only won when you focus on the whole team. We’re not cookie-cutter people or cookie-cutter states, and that’s what makes our work so valuable. If we were all the same, there wouldn’t be a need for NSGIC.
My goal is to help us keep refining and strengthening our strategic plan, and to ensure we’re always bringing the right people to the table—because that’s how we move forward, together. When we support one another and stay aligned on our goals, we make things better. That’s what I can bring to the table.
Meet Garth!
Biography
Garth was born and raised in Rhode Island, where his grandparents on both sides were involved in local government and politics, and he has now spent most of his life living in the charming 1,200-square-mile coastal state. Originally going to school for meteorology and then environmental science at Lyndon State College of Vermont, Garth eventually transferred to the University of Rhode Island, where he received his Bachelor’s in General Geology in 2004.
In 2005, Garth began a career conducting Environmental Site Assessments, Site Characterization and Remediation investigations, and working on the Defense Environmental Restoration Program of Formerly Used Defense Sites (DERP-FUDS) in Maryland. A few years later, Garth transitioned to working in State Government, working for the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) in the Water Supply Program. While at MDE, Garth was bitten by the GIS bug, and he and another co-worker began using ArcMap to create tax maps and topographic maps for water withdrawal applications. Garth also helped to beta test and implement the use of the Maryland Coastal Plain Aquifer Information System (developed in collaboration between the Maryland Geological Survey, MDE, USGS, and Towson University) and provide feedback for developing best management practices.
In 2014, after moving west, Garth began a short stint with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, where he assisted in the transition from mapping sidewalk and street closures on a large paper map to using ArcGIS products. Eventually, the program advanced enough that permits for these closures were hyperlinked into the geocoded closures.
Garth moved back to Rhode Island in the fall of 2015, where he worked for local and eventually state government. From 2016-2023, Garth worked for the Rhode Island Department of Health – Center for Drinking Water Quality program, coordinating the Sanitary Survey Inspection team’s site visits and working with public water systems to navigate and understand State Regulations. During this stretch, Garth went back to school for his Postbaccalaureate Certificate in GIS with a focus on visualization, which he completed in December 2020. During a 2021 radioactive fallout drill, Garth was praised by FEMA personnel for including elevated storage tanks within the fallout radius, as previous drills had not included these details. This prompted Garth to ensure that most major components of public water systems (source, treatment, storage, pumps, etc) included accurate GPS coordinates.
In the spring of 2023, Garth accepted a position at the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning as a Supervising GIS Specialist and the Rhode Island Geographic Information System (RIGIS) Coordinator. He is the first person to hold this role in nearly a decade and is working to get RIGIS more involved by increasing communication and coordination amongst state agencies and local cities and towns. He is also working to make RIGIS more accessible for the non-GIS user who may need/want to create maps using RI data. In addition to coordinating with other state agencies to move the existing RI State Enterprise into a cloud management system, Garth has been working to coordinate with other states’ GIS teams on collaboration, given that not all data stops at the border. In many cases as a team of one, Garth continues to try to move the needle forward.
Platform Statement
As a person whose family is steeped in the world of public service, I am a big believer in collaboration, engagement, going big (while maintaining achievability), and ensuring data accessibility on many levels. The NSGIC community is a great place to foster and support these ideals and many more, which is why I was happy to be nominated for the Board of Directors for 2025-2027.
Through NSGIC, we are provided the unique opportunity to meet our GIS professionals’ neighbors as well as GIS professionals on the other side of the country. This opens a path of communication and coordination to collaborate on data that is bigger than us. We learn the best ways to engage with our elected officials and the public, helping them understand the need for high-resolution geospatial data as well as teaching them how best to use this data effectively and ethically. The NSGIC community is also great at ensuring data is accessible and digestible, as many of us come from different walks of life and have different levels of understanding not just data, but the work we do. This ties closely with engagement in that we work to make sure public data is public data and that anyone can have access to it, be it something from the NSGIC Knowledge Center or working through how to make data on a public clearing house accessible to the non-GIS professional. It is good to dream big and be able to have conversations within the NSGIC community; many folks can help hone that vision. Some may say go bigger, some may say don’t fly so close to the sun, not voices of reason, but voices of encouragement and caution.
As a member of the NSGIC Board, I would continue to foster additional state-to-state collaborations, listen, reflect, and provide constructive feedback to local, state, and federal level conversations, and ask questions because not one person has all the answers. Most of all, I look forward to continuing to learn, grow, and evolve not just in my role within NSGIC but in my role back home, all 1,200 square miles of it.
Meet Jackie!
Biography
Jackie is the GIS Manager for the State of Colorado’s Governor’s Office of Information Technology Geospatial Program. She has a B.A. in Geography and Social Science from Cal Poly Humboldt and a M.S. in Geographic Information Systems. As a dedicated public servant, she strives to improve the lives of Coloradans by increasing access to spatial data and tools for State Agencies, Local Government, and members of the public.
Platform Statement
My strong passion for advancing effective state-led geospatial coordination, cultivated through my work with the State of Colorado, compels me to step forward and serve on the NSGIC Board. Leading with core values aligned to NSGIC, my platform is not just about me, but about ensuring that every strategic decision and action directly contributes to our shared mission and vision. This commitment to the NSGIC strategic plan is at the heart of my candidacy.
Leveraging my extensive experience in leading comprehensive strategic planning initiatives in Colorado, coupled with my active contributions as co-chair of the Accessibility Working Group and my newer role on the GIO Academy Working Group, I am uniquely positioned to help strengthen the board’s capacity for clear guidance, robust support, and effective strategic oversight. I will champion continued investment and leveraging of diverse tools and technologies, recognizing that this innovation is vital for NSGIC to remain relevant, celebrate our collective achievements, and effectively measure our impact within the geospatial ecosystem. The tangible successes we’ve achieved in the Accessibility Working Group, particularly through well-attended, impactful webinars and valuable resources, demonstrate my commitment to driving collaborative initiatives that deliver real value and inspire others to do the same.
A cornerstone of my leadership philosophy involves a diligent, forward-looking assessment. I will consistently ask whether our efforts align with NSGIC’s mission and strive to anticipate and understand their full impact. Furthermore, I am committed to proactively showcasing the immense benefits and successes that NSGIC delivers. I propose leveraging state examples, particularly those demonstrating cost savings and impactful outcomes by members, to attract new members and strengthen our vital partnerships. This commitment will ensure that NSGIC’s value is widely recognized and appreciated.
My leadership in navigating complex inter-agency initiatives, my direct contributions in current NSGIC working groups, and my adaptability in a rapidly evolving technological landscape are skills I will bring to bear for the board. Part of my leadership style involves a quiet period of listening and absorbing, allowing me to fully understand challenges before contributing creative solutions and innovative ideas that foster progress. I am deeply committed to building collaborative environments, which I see as essential for NSGIC’s continued growth, and I am keen to represent and develop the next generation of geospatial leaders within our organization. My proactive approach to problem-solving and accountability will ensure NSGIC effectively drives its strategic agenda forward for the benefit of all.