"...It's Time to Go Hiking?"

The Utah GIS portal blog includes an announcement today of the planned retirement of Utah Automated Geographic Reference Center (AGRC) Manager Dennis Goreham, who will step down at the end of the year after 24 years (19 as manager) with AGRC and another 6 with the US Forest Service. Jeanne Watanabe, AGRC's Business Manager, will take over as Manager starting January 1.

Along with the impressive list of accomplishments noted on the Utah portal, Dennis will be fondly remembered by NSGIC members as a strong voice for the western states in national GIS discussions, as a calm and logical thinker, and as an amused and amusing companion.

Dennis is quoted as saying "I had the best job in state government but it's time to go hiking." He probably will do some hiking, but he won't stop being a part of the national GIS discussion. He remains as a member of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee and will continue working with NSGIC.

I think I speak for many among the NSGIC crowd when I say, "good." We're happy Dennis gets to retire, but we're not ready to let go of him just yet.