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Executive Leadership FY-2024 


Steve Waldron
President (term ends 6/30/25)
president@vamlis.org

Steve is a GIS Project Manager for Timmons Group (April 2023) with 30+ years’ experience in the GIS field. Prior to joining Timmons Group his work experience includes Ensafe (('94-'97) an environmental engineering and consulting firm in Memphis, TN) where he helped implement and operate a GIS as part of the U.S. Navy Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) efforts; he worked as a GIS instructor (ESRI: 1997-1999); and as an enterprise GIS Coordinator (City of Richmond: 1999-2023). His skill sets are centered around GIS planning, implementation, training, and operations of an enterprise GIS. He is experienced with providing GIS services following the ITIL framework, project management, documentation, Systems Development Lifecycle, and integrations. His software knowledge is within the Esri ArcGIS suite: ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Enterprise (geodatabase/portal). He received his Bachelor of Science in Geography from Mary Washington College ('90) and his Masters of Science in Geography from the University of Memphis ('94).

Jacob Thornton
Vice President (term ends 6/30/25)
vicepresident@vamlis.org

Jacob is the GIS Lead for Michael Baker International with over 20 years of experience in cartography, analysis, data management, and graphic design. He leads the GIS efforts for Michael Baker’s Richmond-based team on projects including bike/pedestrian, traffic engineering, and transit planning studies, electric vehicle planning projects, and NEPA studies. Prior to his work at Michael Baker, Jacob was the GIS Coordinator at Vanderbilt University where he gave GIS instruction in classes and workshops, managed software and data, and created mapping projects for the university and medical center community. Jacob has also worked as an adjunct GIS professor at VCU, presented at VAMLIS and other conferences, and served as the Map and Poster Gallery coordinator for VAMLIS conferences. He received his Bachelor of Science is Geographic Sciences from James Madison University (2004) and is a design-focused cartographer with experience using ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap, ArcGIS Online, StoryMaps, global positioning systems, and the Adobe Creative Suite.



Bridget Wagner, GISP
President-Elect (term ends 6/30/25)
conference@vamlis.org

Bridget is HDR’s East Regional Geospatial Coordinator and GIS Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Region (MD/DC/VA). She has over a decade of experience in the development and management of GIS solutions for transportation projects, with an emphasis on spatial analytics and the development of dashboards and web applications for project tracking and transparency. Bridget has integrated cloud and web-based mapping solutions, as well as standardized database schemas, for project management, asset management, field work coordination, and equity and stakeholder engagement. In addition to her technical skills, Bridget is deeply involved with HDR’s leadership team from both an operations and business development standpoint; she knows how to coordinate the right team to deliver the best work, while maintaining a proactive and transparent relation with potential and existing clients.

Outside of work, Bridget is heavily engaged with her alma mater’s (University of Richmond) Geospatial program; she regularly meets with faculty and engages with undergraduate students to discuss GIS careers. In addition, Bridget serves as a part-time faculty member as part of the University of Richmond’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies GIS Certificate Program. Bridget has also been a member of VAMLIS since 2014, annually serving on the conference committee as well as serving on the executive board as Secretary from 2018 to 2020. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Geography from University of Richmond and Masters in GIS from Penn State University.



Kallie Wilkes
Secretary (term ends 6/30/25)
secretary@vamlis.org

Kallie is a Business Analyst with GeoDecisions, responsible for validating GIS and other application requirements and identifying and documenting business rules and workflows. Knowledgeable using experience to work with state and local government clients to elicit client needs, define goals and objectives, interpret user requirements, and translate needs into clear project deliverables and effective GIS solutions. Also responsible for working with the development team to design solution mockups, perform testing, report creation, and system documentation.



Brian Kingery GISP, PMP
Treasurer (term ends 6/30/26)
treasurer@vamlis.org

Brian has continually served as the VAMLIS Treasurer since July 2019 at the start of FY 2020 Executive Board. Brian also previously served as the Vice President of the 2017 VAMLIS Executive Board. He has experience with the Virginia Department of Transportation and holds a GIS Professional (GISP) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Currently, Brian is a GIS consultant and project manager with Timmons Group working on all types of GIS projects across various industries at universities, local governments, and state governments across the United States. Using his experience from his time at the Virginia Department of Transportation, one of the largest department of transportations in the country, he hopes to build on the creativity and passion for GIS that he promoted every day bringing that same passion to VAMLIS and the GIS user community.

Brian has attended and presented at multiple regional outreach events and VAMLIS conferences over the years. He recognizes the value these events offer to the GIS community in Virginia regarding networking and learning from GIS professionals from all over the Commonwealth. Brian is excited about this continued opportunity and looking forward to furthering GIS in Virginia over the next few years and beyond.



Jennifer Ciminelli
Past President (term ends 6/30/25)
pastpresident@vamlis.org

Jennifer is an environmental scientist and educator, with over twenty-three years of experience focused on the use of spatial analysis for conservation planning, green infrastructure modeling, urban greening, and environmental planning. Jennifer has worked in a variety of roles during her career, including a geospatial project manager, GIS Coordinator for a local government, green infrastructure planner for natural resource agencies, and now, educator and researcher. She is currently an assistant professor in the Center for Environmental Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Jennifer develops and teaches courses at the Center, and has worked to build the geospatial program. She has worked on a variety of client driven and grant funded projects throughout her career. Her research program is focused on using geospatial analyses to frame and explore issues related to the environment, and to help inform policy related to preserving and enhancing the sustainability and resiliency of our communities and environment. Jennifer has been a member of VAMLIS and an active participant in the Virginia GIS Conferences for many years. She has served on the VAMLIS Nominating Committee, on the VAMLIS Conference planning committee, and on the Executive Board as President-Elect.