Alumnus Returns to Speak about GIS Technology

Winters, who is a GIS manager for the New York State Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination (CSIC), will deliver his talk, "Everything Happens Somewhere: Applying Geography to Real World Business," on Monday, Nov. 12 at 4:15 p.m. in the Cardinal Lounge in Angell College Center.

The talk will include information about how GIS technology allows data from business and government operations to be combined and made searchable using locations. For instance, using geography, searches of data about locations with poor pavement can be combined with searches about locations that have higher accident rates and searches about the financing of road work. Thus, businesses and governments can make more informed decisions about spending.

Winters, who graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1987, was nominated for the Distinguished Visiting Alumni Award by Eileen Allen, coordinator of the GIS laboratory for earth and environmental sciences, and Dr. Don Bogucki, professor of earth and environmental sciences.

"We're extremely pleased that Frank has gotten this well-deserved recognition," said Allen. "Whenever we've asked him about questions about the GIS profession, he's always been right there. He's been dedicated to education and generous with giving his time to his alma mater.

"He is gifted with GIS and well respected in the GIS community, both nationally and state-wide. In addition, he's brilliant with people. When I've spoken to people at his former job, they just revere him."

After graduating fro SUNY Plattsburgh, Winters went to the University of Idaho where he earned his master of science in geography. He has worked as a cartographer with the Metropolitan District Commission in Hartford, Conn. He also worked with the New York State Department of Transportation before starting in his role with CSIC. His current responsibilities include coordination of GIS activities around the state.