Ambassador Spotlight ‘Timothy Hawthorne’

In today’s Ambassador Spotlight, we discover a little more about our Brand Ambassador Timothy Hawthorne from Florida, USA.

If you are not a surveyor, what do you do? I am an associate professor of GIS at University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. I also am the Founding Director Citizen Science GIS and GeoBus.

How long have you been in the industry? I have been in the GIS/geospatial technology industry since 2003.

Are you part of any associations or organisations you would like us to mention? American Association of Geographers

Why do you want to be a GKiS Brand Ambassador? I believe in supporting and inspiring science’s next generation through hands-on educational opportunities. I am inspired by the global reach and positive energy of this GKiS community, and wanted to a part of the great work happening around the globe.

Why is it important for kids to know about surveying and the wider geospatial industry? So they recognize early that it is an in-demand, useful and highly rewarding career field in which they can thrive and contribute to the study of some of the most challenging environmental and social issues of our time. I was a student who entered my college years having no idea GIS and geography were a career option. I was hooked after my first Intro to the Power of Maps course in my sophomore year. Luckily I happened upon that course, it changed my trajectory and life path.

What are you going to do as an ambassador for GKiS? I am going to support global education and interest in geospatial technologies through our GeoBus program, the US’s first GeoBus to drive geospatial technologies in a repurposed 40 foot city bus with a solar-powered learning lab to K-12 schools and community centers. And I hope to work with others in the industry to develop a global GeoBus network to support our industry and science’s next generation.

What are your hobbies? In my spare time I love to travel, go to the beach and snorkel with my kids, wife and friends. I also love building Lego sets with my kids.

If you/your company had a GKiS character, what would it be? A drone operator for sure. We love flying drones, especially in coastal environments near islands and reefs.

What poster or resource would you like to see next from GKiS? A drone and surveying crew exploring reefs around the world with kids helping.

If you are interested in becoming a Sponsor or a Brand Ambassador for GKiS please follow the links provided.