EXECUTIVES & COUNCILLORS
BIOGRAPHIES

EXECUTIVES

George P. McFarlane was elected as President of the Canadian Institute of Geomatics (CIG) in November 2012. He previously had been elected President of the Canadian Hydrographic Association in February 2007 and was reelected for a second three-year term in February 2010. George is an Ontario Land Surveyor and a Canada Lands Surveyor, as well as an Ontario Land Information Professional and Geographic Information Manager. He is also licensed in several Caribbean jurisdictions as a Professional Land Surveyor.

He is a Past President of the Land Surveyors Association of Jamaica, past Vice-President Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE) representing Canada and the Caribbean in Land Surveying. He also served as a member of the Land Surveyors Boards of Jamaica and of the Cayman Islands and of the Advisory Committee (Land Surveying) at the College of Arts, Service and Technology (now UTECH), Jamaica. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Building Construction Engineering Committee and as a member of The Town and Country Planning Association of Jamaica.

George began his career in Hydrography in 1964 when he was assigned to the Hydrographic Unit of the Survey Department of Jamaica. More recently, he served several years as the Manager of the Hydrographic Section of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), Architecture and Engineering Services, Ontario Region, overseeing shallow water surveys in harbours, rivers and the interconnecting channels of the Great Lakes. He recently retired from the Federal Public Service as Head, Surveys and Mapping of PWGSC’s Real Property Geomatics Services, Ontario Region.
He has been a Canada Lands Surveyor for over 29 years, and a long-standing member of the Canadian Hydrographic Association (CHA) and CIG. George is a regular attendee at National and International Conferences.

George previously served as CIG’s Toronto Branch Chair and in 1984 as Chairman of the South Central Group of the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors. He also served as a member of the latters Underground Utilities Committee and as one of their representatives on the Best Practice Committee of the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA).

He is a Distinguished Past Secretary of the Kiwanis Club Kingston, Jamaica and a Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Brampton Ontario. In 1976 he Co-Chaired the Organizing Committee for the Eastern Canada and the Caribbean Kiwanis District Convention held in Kingston, Jamaica and in September 2012 participated in Tourism Vancouver’s “ Be a Host” Bid Seminar, held in Vancouver, British Columbia.

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Steeve Guillemette, President Elect

Steeve Guillemette est bachelier en géographie de l’Université de Sherbrooke. Depuis 14 ans, il œuvre dans différentes sphères de la géomatique comme la télédétection, les systèmes d’information géographique, le GPS et la photographie aérienne. Il a notamment travaillé dans les secteurs municipal, forestier, du génie et environnemental. De plus, il a coordonné les activités géomatiques pour des projets internationaux en Am érique latine et en Afrique.

Pendant 3 ans, M. Guillemette a été gestionnaire de comptes pour deux compagnies québécoises du domaine géospatial. Ces années lui ont permis d’augmenter son réseau de contacts tant au Canada qu’aux État-Unis. Depuis 2010, il travaille comme conseiller en systèmes d’information à la Ville de Québec. Plus spécifiquement, il est responsable d’intégrer, de diffuser et de supporter la maquette 3D de la Ville de Québec. De plus, M. Guillemette coordonne les opérations courantes de la division géomatique de la Division des systèmes du développement durable et des infrastructures.

M. Guillemette est membre en règle de l’ACSG depuis 2005. En 2008, il devient membre du bureau de direction de la section Champlain et s’implique dans plusieurs activités comme le GéoGolf, la Soirée Champlain et le concours de cartographie pour les élèves du secondaire de la province de Québec. Steeve Guillemette est passionné de géomatique et il a participé à des émissions radiophoniques pour parler de l’univers de la géomatique auprès du grand public.

Steeve Guillemette received a B.Sc. in geography from the Université de Sherbrooke. For the past 14 years, he has worked in various areas of geomatics such as remote sensing, GIS, GPS and aerial photography, mainly in the municipal, forestry, engineering and the environment areas. In addition, he coordinated geomatics activities for international projects in Latin America and Africa.

For a period of three years, Mr. Guillemette was an account manager for two Quebec geospatial companies during which he increased his network of contacts in both Canada and the United States. Since 2010, he has worked as an information systems consultant for the City of Quebec with responsibility for the integration, distribution and support the 3D model of Quebec City. In addition, Mr. Guillemette coordinates daily operations of the Geomatics Division of the Systems Division of Sustainable Development and Infrastructures.

Mr. Guillemette is a member in good standing of CIG since 2005. In 2008, he joined the executive of the Champlain Branch, becoming involved in several activities such as the GéoGolf, the Champlain Night, and the map contest for high school students in the province of Quebec. He has participated in radio programs to talk about the world of geomatics to the general public. Steve Guillemette has a passion for geomatics.
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My vision for the CIG is to build a strong foundation for recurring funding. Certification is certainly one of my priorities because it is imperative to have national standards for geospatial projects. In addition, the public needs to know what geomatics can bring to them and what they can bring to geomatics. Nor should we overlook our future workforce in geomatics. Canada is a fertile ground for geomatics brainpower and our expertise is recognized worldwide. We should be proud of our achievements and show them off so that young people get interested.

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Dr. Ahmed El-Rabbany, P.Eng., Vice President

Dr. Ahmed El-Rabbany obtained his Ph.D. degree in GPS Satellite Navigation from the Department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Canada. He is currently a full professor and Graduate Program Director at Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada. He also holds an Honorary Research Associate position at the University of New Brunswick. Dr. El-Rabbany has over 25 years of academic and industrial experience in the area of Geomatics Engineering. His particular areas of expertise include Satellite Navigation, Geodesy and Hydrographic Surveying. Dr. El-Rabbany authored an easy-to-read GPS book, which received a 5-star rating and has been listed as a bestselling GPS book since it came on the market in 2002. He also published and presented over 200 journal and conference papers and presentations. Dr. El-Rabbany is an Associate Editor for Geomatica and Editorial Board member for the Journal of Navigation and AIN Journal. He was the Geodesy Councillor to the Canadian Institute of Geomatics during the period 1998-2010 and Chair of its Toronto Branch during the period 2004-2009. Dr. El-Rabbany received numerous awards in recognition of his academic achievements, including merit awards from Ryerson University and best papers and posters at various conferences and professional events. He was also honoured by a number of academic and professional institutions worldwide.

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Anthony Sani, Immediate Past President

Anthony (Tony) Sani is the President of Sani-International Technology Advisors Inc. (a Canadian surveying, mapping and consulting company) and of Spatial Geo-Link Limited (a software company marketing remote sensing products in Canada).

He holds a Master of Applied Science degree from University of Toronto, Department of Civil Engineering and pursued full-time Doctorial studies at the University. He is a Chartered Land Surveyor, an Ontario Land Surveyor, Canada qualified in the disciplines of Photogrammetry and Geographic Information Management and a Commissioned Land Surveyor, Jamaica.

Tony has over 30 years of professional land surveying experience since migrating to Canada and has worked at engineering and mapping companies in positions ranging from Mapping Supervisor to General Manager and Vice President.

He has been very active in the surveying and remote sensing professions. Some of his more recent involvement includes: Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors (AOLS), Chair of the Canadian Institute of Geomatics, Toronto Branch, President of the Ontario Association of Remote Sensing; Member Board of Examiners of the AOLS and Director of the Geomatics Industry Association of Canada.

Tony has presented and published in the Americas, several technical papers in remote sensing, digital photogrammetry and Geographic Information Systems, one of which was published by the United States National Institute for Standards and Technology, Publication 4688, 1991.

Other achievements include: Winner of the Harold F. Edwards Prize for the highest overall marks in Land Surveying in 1974, University of Technology, Jamaica; winner of the Crawter Prize for the second highest overall marks in the final Chartered Surveyors examination in the British Commonwealth. 1978, U.K., and the University of Technology, Jamaica—Distinguished Alumnus, 2006.

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Gilles J. Champoux, Treasurer

Mr. Champoux is a graduate of the first Survey School at Algonquin College and has worked for survey firms in the private sector before joining the federal government. He has gained extensive knowledge in photogrammetry, aerial photography, orthophoto mapping, and geophysical, control, topographic, construction, and engineering surveys.

An honours economic geography graduate from Ottawa University (Bachelor of Arts & Sciences—Cum Laude), Mr. Champoux is a member of the Canadian Institute of Geomatics, former Treasurer on the Board of Executive of the Real Property Institute of Canada, and the departmental delegate on the Geographical Names Board of Canada, Co-Chairing a Working Group and member of three other working groups and has represented Canada at two UN meetings (Vienna and New York) of geographical experts and member of three UN Divisions. He has recently completed a Certificate of Achievement in Leadership at the Canadian Management Centre.

Mr. Champoux joined the Federal Public Service in 1982 with the Department of National Defence where he became the Survey Plan Examiner and in late 1984, Head of Surveys & Property Plans. Since then he has held a variety of progressively more responsible administrative positions including the Acting/Director of Property Information & Legal Surveys and later, Acting/Director Aboriginal Claims & Property Information. In 1998, he became the departmental Program Manager—Zonings for the zoning of military airfields, military communication facilities, ammunition storage facilities and wind turbines on military radars. Mr. Champoux was the departmental representative for Canada on the 3D Noise Model for the Joint Strike Force International Noise Working Group and part of the departmental team on the Radio Advisory Board of Canada. He has been a member of the USA/Canada Bird Strike Committee and the NATO Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society and its five Sub-Committees dealing with impacts of noise on health, wildlife, domestic animals, humans and structures, etc.

Since September 2005 to April 1, 2010, he was the departmental representative on several Aboriginal Land Claims files including Land Use Planning and Land Management Regime for the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut files, Mr. Champoux has been the departmental Senior Advisor for Aboriginal Affairs under the Director of Realty Facilities Management group and was the departmental representative on the federal Interdepartmental Working Group on Consultation and Accommodation. In 2010, he returned to his substantive position as the Program Manager- Zonings and is now located under the Directorate of Real Property and Planning.

Mr. Champoux’s volunteer activities have included Secretary/Treasurer and President Circle K (University of Ottawa), Member of Treasury Board Advisory Committee on Real Property, Member of Treasury Board Real Property Management Information System Sub-Committee, Member of Executive Committee for Annual Conference on Real Property, coach of Gloucester Hornets soccer team; goalie coach, assistant coach and Treasurer of Vanier Minor Hockey Association, Alternate Chair and Interlock Coordinator for District 6 for Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association, and President/Owner of the East Ottawa Thunder Junior “C” Hockey Club with two back-to-back Eastern Ontario Junior “C” Hockey League championships (2006-2007 and 2007-2008). Currently a member of le Club Optimiste de Vanier, Inc. and served on the Board as Director and Vice-President (2009-2013).

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COUNCILLORS

BRANCH CHAIR

Annick Jaton, Champlain

Annick Jaton est présidente de la section Champlain de l’ACSG depuis 2004 (www.acsg-champlain.ca). Après des études de baccalauréat en mathématiques, Annick a complété une maîtrise en télédétection à l’Université de Sherbrooke. Elle travaille à l’Université Laval à Québec depuis 1989 après avoir oeuvré quelques années dans l’entreprise privée. Coordonnatrice du Centre de recherche en géomatique de l’Université Laval de 1991 à 2001, elle est maintenant directrice adjointe des programmes de 1er cycle au Département des sciences géomatiques où elle agit également comme conseillère à la recherche. Annick a participé à l’organisation de plusieurs activités en géomatique au Québec et s’est impliquée dans plusieurs initiatives et associations nationales et internationales dont la nouvelle Fédération des géomètres francophones. Elle a contribué à la mise sur pied du Réseau de centres d’excellence GEOIDE. Annick a co-présidé le GéoCongrès Québec 2007 qui a eu lieu du 2 au 5 octobre 2007 à Québec : www.Quebec2007.ca.

Annick Jaton has been the chair of the Champlain Branch of CIG since June 2004 (www.acsg-champlain.ca). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a Master’s degree in Remote Sensing from Sherbrooke University. She has been working at Laval University in Quebec City since 1989, after a few years in the private sector. She is currently assistant director for the undergraduate programs in Geomatics, as well as the research advisor for the Department of Geomatics Sciences. Annick has contributed in the organization of many activities in geomatics in Quebec; most notably, she helped in creating the GEOIDE Network of Centres of Excellence. She has been involved in different national and international initiatives/associations like the new French Federation of Surveyors. Annick was the co-president of the GeoCongress Quebec 2007, held in Quebec City in October 2007: www.Quebec2007.ca.

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John Donner, Ottawa

John Donner, PEng., is an employee of Natural Resources Canada working at the Centre for Topographic Information in Ottawa as a project manager. He is a graduate of the Geodetic Sciences program (1979) Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, and a graduate of the Surveying Engineering program (1984) at the University of New Brunswick. John has been a member of both the Toronto and Ottawa Branches of CIG and has been on the Ottawa Branch Executive since 1990. He is currently the Chair of the Ottawa Branch and was previously the Chair of the Branch from 1994 to 1997.

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Yves Léger, New Brunswick

After completing his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from the Université de Moncton, Yves went on to obtain his M.Sc. in Geography from the Université du Québec à Montréal.

Yves has over 15 years Geomatics experience in the private and public sectors and also has some international experience having worked in the Côte d’Ivoire.

Yves has worked as a Project Manager, Geomatics Specialist and GIS Consultant before taking on his current role as GIS Manager with the City of Saint John. Yves has been the GIS Manager for the City of Saint John since 2000.

In addition to being a member of CIG, Yves is also a member of URISA. The Canadian Remote Sensing Society has recognized him as a Certified Mapping Scientist in GIS and he has also been certified as a GIS Professional by the GIS Certification Institute.

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Tim Webster, Nova Scotia

Tim Webster has been a research scientist with the Applied Geomatics Research Group at the Nova Scotia Community College since 2000. Specific areas of research include lidar and other high resolution remote sensing and GIS techniques for mapping, monitoring and modeling processes in the coastal zone. He is the 2010 recipient of the Gulf of Maine Council Visionary Award. He obtained his PhD from Dalhousie University in 2006, an MSc Acadia in 1996, Remote Sensing Advanced Diploma from the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) in 1988, BSc double majoring in geology and physics from UNB 1987. He has worked in the private sector for a GIS software developer in Ottawa in the late 80s before becoming a faculty member in Remote Sensing and GIS at COGS in 1991. He continues to consult privately and supervises a limited number of courses and students at COGS and co-supervises graduate students in the Acadia University-NSCC joint MSc program in Applied Geomatics.

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Neil MacNaughton, Newfoundland and Labrador Branch

Neil MacNaughton was born in the Village of Stanley NB in 1948, educated locally and acquired a B.Sc. in Surveying Engineering from UNB in 1971.
Neil has worked in the Public Sector in Surveying and Mapping roles for 37 years: 2 years with the Province of New Brunswick; 6 years with the Council of Maritime Premiers; and 29 years with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. He represented the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador on the Canadian Council On Geomatics and the Geographical Names Board of Canada for many years.

Neil retired from public service in December 2008, and currently resides in the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philips near St. John`s NL. He met his wife Margaret at University and they have three children and four grandchildren.

Neil obtained a New Brunswick Land Surveyors commission soon after university graduation and later a Land Surveyors Commission in Newfoundland. He has been a Professional Engineer in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Neil joined the Canadian Institute of Geomatics in 1968 and has been active in various branches over the years. Neil is currently the Past President of the Association of Newfoundland Land Surveyors and Chairman of the Newfoundland and Labrador Branch of the Canadian Institute of Geomatics.

Along with other interests, Neil is busy in retirement and recently managed the Geomatics Atlantic 2011 conference in St John`s.

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Sunil Bisnath, Toronto Branch

Janet E. Mersey, Cartography & CNC ICA

Janet Mersey is an associate professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Guelph, Ontario, where her responsibilities include teaching courses in geographic information systems, remote sensing and cartography, and managing the department’s GIS laboratories. Recently, her research interests have focussed on the application of GIS and mapping technologies to the management of protected areas, including the Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, and the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve in Canada. Other research initiatives focus more specifically on map communication and cartographic symbolization. Published work has investigated the utilization of geographic models, such as a soil erosion potential model, to plan effective conservation strategies in ecologically sensitive areas, and the importance of community-based participation in the success of such projects. Janet’s interest in the use of the Internet in GIS education is also reflected in her work, and she recently developed a series of GIS/RS modules for an on-line course in GIS and Landscape Restoration at the University of Wisconsin.

Janet grew up in Moncton, New Brunswick, and completed undergraduate studies in mathematics and economics at Mount Allison University. A post-graduate program in cartography attracted her to the University of Wisconsin—Madison, where she earned a Master’s (1980) and a PhD (1984) degree, under the tutelage of Arthur Robinson and David Woodward.

A long-time member of the Canadian Cartographic Association, Janet has served on its executive as Chair as the Cartographic Education Interest Group, Chair of the Map Design Interest Group, and as President (1995-96). She was a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the journal Cartographica for seven years, and was its book review editor for fifteen years. Currently, Janet belongs to the Editorial Board of the journal Cartographic Perspectives, and has served on the Board of Directors of the North American Cartographic Association.

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Costas Armenakis, Photogrammetry Technical Councillor

Costas Armenakis (Dipl Ing, MScE, PhD) is an Associate Professor of the Geomatics Engineering program, Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering, York University. Prior joining York University he was a Research Scientist with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). His research interests are in the areas of photogrammetric engineering and remote sensing mapping including robotic mapping using cost-effective unmanned vehicle systems, 3D mapping and tracking using image-sequences, 3D modelling using optical and lidar data and the integration of GIS and remote sensing methods and data for risk assessment and emergency response. He is an ISPRS Fellow and has served as President of the ISPRS Technical Commission IV on Digital Mapping and GeoDatabases (2000-2004). Currently he is Co-Chair of the ISPRS ICWG I/Vb Unmanned Vehicle Systems (UVS): Sensors and Applications. He is a Professional Engineer registered in the Province of Ontario and member of the Canadian Institute of Geomatics (CIG) and the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS).

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Jean-Noël Lechasseur, Co-Chair, Awards Committee

Jean-Noël Lechasseur is Quebec Land Surveyor, inactive Canada Lands Surveyor in Banff, Alberta, and active for various professional associations in Canada since 1999.

He graduated in surveying from Laval University, Quebec, in 1976 and received his right to practice land survey from the Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec (Quebec Lands Surveyors’ association) the same year. In 1981, he obtained his Canada Lands Surveyor commission. He continued his studies and graduated in 1986 with a master’s degree in business specializing in finance at HEC, University of Montreal.

From 1971 to 1976, Jean-Noël worked as a trainee for Beliveau-Couture Lands Surveyor, and was responsible for topographical field surveys for the same firm from 1976 to 1981. In 1975, he was a part time teacher for the cartography Department of Limoilou CEGEP in Quebec. In 1981, he joined Gendron Lefebvre Inc., as assistant director of the Geomatics Department, and, later the same year became director of this department until 1992. From June 1992 to 1999, following a restructuring and amalgamation with the firm Tecsult, he has been working as assistant director and has been responsible for special projects at the national and international levels.

To summarize his para-professional activities during his career, Jean-Noël has been: President of the Publication Committee of the Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec (1978-1982); President of the Cartographic Surveys Industry Council in Quebec (1983); President of the Technicians and Technologists Committee of CIG (1985); President of the Association of Canada Lands Surveyors (1988-1990); member of the Board of Examiners for Canada Lands Surveyors (1991-1997 and 1999-today); President of the Publication Committee of CIG (1995); co-chair of the Geomatics Canada Scholarship Program Committee (1999-2008); co-chair of the Hans Klinkenberg Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee for CIG (1999-today); member of the David Thompson Awards Committee for Canada Lands Surveyors (2010-today); member of CIG (1976-today), member of CIG Montreal Branch Board of Directors (1981-today), Chair of the Branch (1983) and President of CIG (1996-1997).

Involved in a field that fascinates him, Jean-Noël pursues his goals with enthusiasm. He has been commended for good judgment in planning and for his sense of organization. Finally he is concerned about continuing education and thrives for self-improvement through new challenges like photography and video editing on DVD, downhill skiing and golf.

Jean-Noël Lechasseur est arpenteur-géomètre et arpenteur des terres du Canada inactif à Banff, Alberta, et actif pour différentes associations professionnelles au Canada depuis 1999.

Jean-Noël Lechasseur a gradué en arpentage à l’Université Laval, Québec, en 1976 et a reçu sa licence d’arpenteur-géomètre la même année. En 1981, il a obtenu son brevet d’arpenteur fédéral. Il poursuivit ses études et obtint sa maîtrise en administration des affaires, option finance, de l’École des hautes études commerciales (HEC) de l’Université de Montréal en 1986.

De 1971 à 1976, il a été à l’emploi de la firme Béliveau-Couture, arpenteurs-géomètres, à titre de stagiaire arpenteur-géomètre et à titre d’arpenteur-géomètre responsable de 1976 à 1981. En 1975, il a été professeur à temps partiel au Département de cartographie du Cégep de Limoilou à Québec. En 1981, il s’est lié à Gendron Lefebvre inc. à titre de directeur adjoint du Service de géomatique et directeur du même service la même année jusqu’à 1992. De juin 1992 à 1999, suite à une restructuration du service et au regroupement avec la firme Tecsult, il oeuvre à titre de directeur adjoint et respon-sable des projets spéciaux aux niveaux national et international.

Pour résumer ses activités para-professionnelles au cours de sa carrière, Jean-Noël a été : président du Comité de la revue de l’Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec (OAGQ) (1978-1982); président du Conseil des levés cartographiques du Québec (CLECQ) (1983); président du Comité des techniciens et technologues de l’ACSG (1985); président de l’Association des arpenteurs des terres du Canada (AATC) (1988-1990); membre de la Commission des examinateurs des arpenteurs des terres du Canada (1991 à 1997 et 1999 à aujourd’hui); président du Comité des publications de l’ACSG (1995); coprésident du Comité des bour-ses d’études de Géomatique Canada pour l’ACSG (1999-2008); coprésident du Comité des bouses commémoratives du fond Hans Klinkenberg (1999 à aujourd’hui); membre du Comité des prix David Thompson pour les arpenteurs des terres du Canada (2010 à aujourd’hui); membre de l’ACSG depuis 1976 et membre du Conseil d’administration de l’ACSG, section de Montréal (1981 à aujourd’hui); président de la section (1983) et président de l’ACSG (1996-1997).

Engagé dans un domaine qui le passionne, c’est avec enthousiasme qu’il atteint ses objectifs. L’un dira qu’il possède un bon jugement à planifier, l’autre affirmera qu’il a le sens de l’organisation. Enfin, il a la constante préoccupation de se perfectionner et de se réaliser dans de nouveaux défis comme la photographie et le montage vidéo sur DVD, le ski alpin et le golf.

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Izaak de Rijcke , Editor, Geomatica

Izaak has managed two busy careers—one as a land surveyor in Ontario, the other as lawyer. After graduating with a science degree from the University of Toronto in surveying in 1976, he went on to article and received his OLS commission in 1978. Law school followed with a LL.B. from University of Windsor and a call to the bar in 1983. Since then he has been in private practice under various arrangements with professional colleagues. He has written extensively in periodicals, journals and has been a contributor to books on legal aspects of surveying. The readership has included both the surveying and legal professions. He has been editor and a regular contributor to the Geomatics and the Law section of Geomatica for the last several years. Teaching land surveyors in survey law subjects has been a significant contribution in the past and more recently Izaak has been a key developer of on-line survey law courses offered through the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors and specially tailored for foreign qualified professionals. Similarly, Izaak has been a contributor to continuing education events for lawyers in real property law sponsored by the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Ontario Bar Association. Clients have included government, municipalities and conservation authorities.

Being an avid reader and believing in lifelong learning, Izaak recently undertook a graduate program through Osgoode Hall Law School’s “part time intensive” LL.M. program in Real Property Law. He graduated in early 2011 and immediately undertook another project—renovating commercial space for expanded office facilities in Guelph which he calls home. The space is configured for internet based learning and has state-of-the-art resources for this as a continuing activity in the future. In 2011 he became a Certified Specialist (Real Estate Law) by The Law Society of Upper Canada.

Time is still found for hobbies, including drawing and painting. Likewise, photography and travel are regular enjoyments, as are cross-country skiing and canoeing. Izaak is proud of his two adult children; Lauren, a core French teacher and Adrian, a journeyman chef.

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Songnian Li, Chair the Canadian National Committee for ISPRS

Songnian Li is a professor in geomatics engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Ryerson University. His research interests lie in the areas of geographical information sciences with focus on geospatial collaboration, dynamic geospatial services, spatial decision support, moving object data, and web/real-time applications. Some of his recent projects include urban solar modeling and mapping, event-driven sense/response GIS, web-based sea-ice data portal, and road database updating and traffic modeling using GPS trace data collected from smart phones. Songnian has been involved with the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) since 2004. He had served as the Co-Chair and Chair of ISPRS Working Group IV/5 on “Web-based Geoinformation Services and Applications” from 2004 to 2012, and is currently the President of ISPRS Technical Commission II. As a member of the Canadian Institute of Geomatics (CIG), Songnian has served the Institute in a number of capacities including associate editor of Geomatica, Treasure and Interim Chair of the Toronto Branch, and council member. Songnian received his Bachelor of Engineering degree from Wuhan Technical University of Surveying and Mapping (now merged into Wuhan University), China and his PhD degree from University of New Brunswick, Canada.

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Carolyn Goodfellow, Certification

Carolyn Goodfellow has worked over 31 years in remote sensing applications, geomatics technology transfer programs in Canada and abroad, land and water information systems and management of remote sensing science programs. Her interest in geomatics began at the University of Waterloo where she completed a degree in mathematics and environmental sciences. From 2008-2012 she headed the Environmental Monitoring and Emergency Management Section at the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing. The previous three years were spent at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as manager of federal partnerships and collaboration for the National Land and Water Information Service. For several years, she developed and managed industry-government technology transfer and training projects, e.g., GlobeSAR-2 in Latin America, adaptation of the Canadian satellite crop condition monitoring system for operation in Poland and transfer of Canadian survey/mapping/GIS technologies for new land management systems in Russia.

Since 1996, Carolyn has been a member of the Canadian Institute of Geomatics. She has served on the Committee that certifies as Geomatics specialists, those individuals who have demonstrated professional integrity and competence in one of six geomatics fields. She is also a long-time member of the Canadian Remote Sensing Society.