GENESEO, N.Y., Oct. 7, 2024 – The New York State Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Association has named Livingston County Deputy Planning Director Heather Ferrero as the organization’s new 2024-2025 president.
Ferrero, who will celebrate her 26th year with Livingston County this month, brings a wealth of experience and passion for GIS to her new leadership role. Her work was instrumental in creating the Livingston County mapping homepage, which offers residents access to a suite of interactive online mapping applications. Using the latest GIS technology, the page allows users locate tax parcel information and polling sites, analyze county population census data, and more.
“The NYS GIS Association is made up of talented and dedicated GIS professionals who volunteer their time for the advancement of the field,” said Ferrero. “I am honored to be among them serving as president this year. Mapping has been a passion since my SUNY Geneseo geography classes, and it has been a major part of my contributions to the county so far. Getting maps and information into the hands of residents, agencies, and visitors alike has been a career goal that started with the idea of the Livingston County Interactive map.”
GIS is a computer-based tool that stores, analyzes, visualizes, and interprets geographic information, typically in the form of a map. Professionals in many fields use GIS, including land use planning, biology, and resource management. The NYS GIS Association was established in 2003 and represents the interests of the New York geospatial community. Ferrero’s tenure with the NYS GIS Association began in 2022 when she served as an association board member with the goal of contributing her expertise on a state-wide scale. She has also served as an advisory member of the Geographic Information Sharing Special Interest Group (GIS/SIG), a professional GIS organization based in the Finger Lakes region, from 2020-2022, and as a member of the GIS/SIG board since 2022.
Ferrero said that she hopes to further grow the association’s membership and strengthen relations with regional GIS professional organizations. As president, she’ll advocate in the state for GIS-related legislation and funding issues. She plans to use the knowledge gained from interacting with GIS professionals from throughout New York to identify further opportunities for getting geospatial-based information out to county residents and departments.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.