Briefly
Michael Williams is a Geographer in the Research Support Branch at the Economic Research Service. His work at the agency focuses on geospatial analysis and cartographic design, but also provides solutions for work and data automation and visualizations using a variety of business intelligence tools and techniques.
Michael has worked with geospatial technologies since 2001 on projects ranging from research and development to exploration geophysics. Some of his past projects include the preservation of historic maps through digitization and georeferencing, cadastral surveys with research of land and title records in California, Colorado, Louisiana, Texas, and West Virginia, and numerous topographic and bathymetric survey projects covering thousands of square miles throughout the United States.
Background
Before joining the Economic Research Service, Michael served as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist for Louisiana’s Office of Conservation where he managed the location reporting and tracking of natural resources and associated assets and infrastructure across the State through the Statewide GIS: Strategic Online Natural Resource Information System (SONRIS). Prior to his public service, Michael spent 15 years in the private sector where he held roles managing projects, overseeing business operations, and providing consulting services.
Education
Michael graduated Cum Laude from Fort Hays State University where he received his bachelor’s in Geoscience with a focus in Geography and a minor in Management Information Systems. He continues to study Geospatial Sciences at Lamar University.`
Professional Affiliations
Michael is a certified Geographic Information System Professional (GISP) and is active in several communities of geospatial science including the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) where he assisted with coordination and provided sponsorship at the organization’s annual conference in 2019. He also maintains active membership with the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), The Association of American Geographers (AAG), and the American Geophysical Union (AGU) to name a few.