California CIO Announces Members of Geospatial Information Systems Task Force
For Immediate Release - July 3, 2008
California Chief Information Officer Teri Takai today announced the members of the Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Task Force. Governor Schwarzenegger recently called for the creation of a task force to develop a statewide strategy to enhance the technology for environmental protection, natural resource management, traffic flow, emergency preparedness and response, land use planning and health and human services.
“During last year’s firestorms, GIS helped firefighters to see through the smoke, giving them a powerful tool to fight the blaze. This is just one example of a technology that we must tap further into and coordinate throughout the federal, state and local governments,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “California has a proud tradition of being an innovator and leading the development of technologies. We must keep pushing forward to build new applications that will better serve the people of California.”
GIS allows users to access mapping resources, layered with data, to navigate in an environment where they can visualize scenarios in unlimited new ways.
“The Governor recognizes the value of GIS to better serve our people and give policy makers and the public enhanced decision-making tools,” said Teri Takai, State Chief Information Officer. “I look forward to working with the task force and my colleagues throughout the state to streamline the deployment of GIS applications to maximize the use of this technology.”
Led by State Chief Information Officer Teri Takai and Chief Deputy Christy Quinlan, the task force will present the Governor with a strategic plan for statewide coordination within 90 days.
The GIS Task Force includes:
Co-Chairs:
Cynthia Bryant, Director
Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
Christy Quinlan, Chief Deputy Director
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Members:
Coco Briseno, Chief, Division of Transportation System Information
California Department of Transportation
Michael Byrne, GIS Architect
Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
Frank Calvillo, Chief of Staff
Governor’s Office of Homeland Security
Kris Caceres, Senior Information Systems Analyst
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Debbie Endsley, Chief Deputy Director
Department of Personnel Administration
John Ellison, Agency Technology Officer
California Resources Agency
Johanna Fenton
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Cynthia Garcia, Air Pollution Specialist
Air Resources Board
Mark Greninger, Geographic Information Officer
County of Los Angeles
Kris Higgs, GIS Specialist
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Mary Cook Hurley, Chair 2008-2009
California Geographic Information Association
Randell H. Iwasaki, Chief Deputy Director
California Department of Transportation
Julia Lave Johnston, Senior Planner
Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
Michael Liang, Deputy Secretary for Information Technology
Business, Transportation and Housing Agency
Bill Naddy
California Department of Transportation
Terrence Newsome, Research Specialist
Governor’s Office of Homeland Security
Warren Roberts
California Community Colleges
Donald R Turos, Jr, Colonel
United States Army
Mark Weatherford, Director
Office of Information Security and Privacy Protection
Gary Winuk, Chief Deputy Director
Governor’s Office of Homeland Security
Kevin Yarris, Chief Information Officer
County of Yolo
Robert Yoha, GIS Coordinator
California Department of Food and Agriculture
In June, more than 250 state officials participated in a forum focused on leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to improve government services and better protect Californians. Held in Sacramento, the forum included more than 20 exhibits of GIS applications, including systems that:
- Enhance preparedness, response and recovery from all forms of disasters and improve public safety and homeland security services by helping government agencies safeguard citizens, borders, and critical infrastructure.
- Enable effective policy decisions that help local government and citizens understand how to plan land use, the construction of critical infrastructure to accommodate growing populations while balancing quality of life, economic opportunities, preserving natural resources, avoiding disproportionate impacts to disadvantaged communities (e.g., environmental justice) and minimizing our carbon foot print.
- Promote Californians’ health by helping to quickly locate and deliver health care services, identifying gaps in service, facilitating response to disease outbreaks and food borne contamination, and fostering the understanding of the link between the sources of pollution and threats to public health.
- Inform the traveling public on road and traffic conditions across the state and assist in the planning of transportation, utilities, broadband and other communication infrastructure that will physically or electronically connect citizens in the future.
For more information on specific GIS applications, visit www.cio.ca.gov/gis.html.
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