To Kentucky’s Geospatial Community,

It was a cold day at Berry Hill Mansion in Frankfort, Kentucky on February 11, 2003. A handful of GIS Professionals sat down to hear a revolutionary new idea. Fast-forward, five years, to the 2008 Kentucky GIS Conference, Lexington. The Kentucky Association of Mapping Professionals has over 150 members. Who’d a thunk it. KAMP met to elect new officers at its annual meeting. At the end of the meeting, KAMP had successfully elected a Board of Directors that reflects a true cross-section of the GIS Community in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. And finally, it seems, we are on our way to great things.

Isaac Newton wrote, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”. This is true of the KAMP Organization. The previous KAMP Presidents have done great things in evolving the organization from a small group in 2003 to a group that is estimated to represent 10% of the GIS Community in Kentucky. I hope to grow KAMP even further with the assistance from our membership and Board of Directors. Many of my plans are not flashy, but they are practical extensions of the framework that has been established by the hard work of my predecessors.

I find myself calling regularly on my fellow KAMP members to help guide and direct projects for my own work. Without KAMP, I may never have even known the names of these people. I find myself a Certified GIS Professional. I would never have worked so hard to obtain this Certification, without input and encouragement from fellow KAMP members. I have seen many exciting GIS programs, projects, and products since 2003. And I saw many of these at regular KAMP meetings.  I hope to expand the benefits of KAMP to all KAMP members.

As KAMP President, I hope to bring KAMP to the forefront of GIS in Kentucky by establishing recognition at the State Government level. This includes pursuing a seat on the GIAC for a KAMP representative. I hope to bring professional development opportunities to KAMP members.  This includes offering URISA Workshops (thanks Trisha), and other professional development opportunities that will enhance the careers of our members. I also hope to bring more members to KAMP through active recruiting. This includes reaching out to all GISPs in Kentucky, and begging their support. And through this entire process, I hope to strengthen the relationships between KAMP and other Professional Organizations, such as KAPS, URISA, GITA, and ASPRS. I know that I cannot do this alone, and I hope that you, KAMP members, will assist me in these tasks.

I feel that great things are possible for KAMP in the next year. The KAMP Board of Directors will be the driving force behind these accomplishments. The KAMP members are the fuel , that helps KAMP move; quickly, efficiently, and effectively. I look forward to serving the membership and working with you to build a better state using our talents as Mapping Professionals to the upmost. I am excited to serve KAMP and hope you feel the same way.

Stephen M. Berry
President
Kentucky Association of Mapping Professionals
president@kampro.org