California CIO Announces Members of Geospatial Information Systems Task Force

California Chief Information Officer Teri Takai on Thursday 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 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, CIO. "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 CIO 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

The task force co-chairs include:

• Cynthia Bryant, director Governor's Office of Planning and Research
• Christy Quinlan, chief deputy director Office of the Chief Information Officer

Members include:

• 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, CIO, 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 the 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.