Our Team

Eric is the founder and owner of GeoSpatial Training Services (geospatialtraining.com) and has over 25 years experience as an application developer, data scientist, and trainer using ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, and ArcGIS Pro. Eric is currently focused on data science applications with Python, R, and GIS.

Eric is the author of
Programming ArcGIS with Python Cookbook
Building Web and Mobile ArcGIS Server Applications with JavaScript
Spatial Analytics with ArcGIS
ArcGIS Blueprints
Programming ArcGIS Pro with Python

Eric has a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Texas A&M University and a Master's of Applied Geography degree with a concentration in GIS from Texas State University.

Tripp is Chief Executive Officer and Lead Instructor for eGIS Associates (our business partner). He is an award winning Esri Certified Trainer with over twenty years of experience orchestrating and managing surveying, mapping and GIS projects. Tripp is also the current President of URISA.

He is recognized as an industry expert with a variety of geospatial software packages including Esri, Autodesk and Trimble products. Tripp was the primary author of several of our GIS courses including: Using AutoCAD data in ArcGIS class, ArcGIS Desktop Associate Exam Prep, ArcGIS 10: What’s New and assisted in the development of our ArcGIS Server Basics class.

He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the GITA Southeast Chapter and a past board member of URISA International and the Georgia URISA Chapter. Tripp holds many certifications including GIS Certified Professional, ArcGIS Desktop Associate, ArcGIS Enterprise System Design Associate, Esri Certified Trainer, CompTia Certified Technical Trainer, Microsoft Certified Professional, URISA Workshop Instructor and Certified Floodplain Manager.

Tripp is also the author of Learning ArcGIS Pro.

Mark is an authorized Esri and CompTIA CTT+ certified instructor, Esri certified Web Developer Associate and experienced web development professional.

In a career spanning over 15 years, Mark has built dozens of sophisticated web applications and taught others to do the same, and has a particular interest in web mapping.

Highlights include the development of a highly complex volcanic ash cloud modeling system for the UK's Met Office and using ArcGIS Server and the Flex API, and a state of the art cell phone tracking system for a defense contractor using the ArcGIS Server API for JavaScript.

He has taught hundreds of GIS professionals how to build custom applications using Esri's ArcGIS Server and open source platforms (MapServer, OpenLayers, Leaflet) and delivered geospatial software tutorials and demonstrations to thousands.

Mark is the author of
Building Web and Mobile ArcGIS Server Applications with JavaScript
Leaflet.js Succinctly

Kara is the GIS Analyst for Valley County in Idaho and owner of an independent consulting business, Dynamic Vision Mapping Services. She has worked as a consultant on a variety of projects related to archaeology, health, fisheries, timber, ecology and fire with a strong focus on presenting results through online maps and hybrid web applications. Collaborative efforts for her project work have included working with a diverse set of departments and agencies, including private to state and federal agencies and international companies.

In addition to working as a GIS Analyst, Database Manager or Cartographer within the contracting world, she has been an active member of the GIS community through participation on multiple boards and committees. These experiences range from leading sub-committees for URISA International, helping to plan conferences as Treasurer for Northern Rockies-URISA or reaching out to students and young GIS professionals through her position on URISA's Vanguard Cabinet of Young Professionals.

Kara has a Bachelor's of Science degree with an emphasis on Marine Science from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a Master's of Environmental Science degree with a concentration on Geospatial Analysis from the University of Colorado-Denver.

Eric van Rees is a freelance writer and editor. His specialty is GIS technology. He has more than eight years of proven expertise in editing, writing and interviewing as editor and editor-in-chief for the international geospatial publication GeoInformatics, as well as GIS Magazine and CAD Magazine, both published in Dutch. Currently, he writes about geospatial technology for various clients, publications and blogs.

Eric is the author of
Mastering Geospatial Analysis with Python

Jeff has over 20 years of experience implementing GIS solutions and developing GIS applications for both public and private sector clients. He has extensive experience in GIS strategic planning and implementation, GIS database design and development, enterprise GIS deployment with the Esri platform, GIS workflow automation with .NET and Python, and GIS application development for desktop, web, and mobile platforms.

Prior to starting FocusGEO, a GIS services and 3D mapping company, he was a GIS project manager and developer for an engineering and GIS services company for 15 years, where in addition to his GIS role he was the project manager and technical lead for mobile lidar services.

He has developed and taught numerous GIS courses over his career. His first teaching experience came as an authorized Esri instructor. He went on to develop and teach his own GIS courses, teaching those courses through the Northwest Environmental Training Center, Wenatchee Valley College, and to individual clients.

Jeff holds a B.S. in Anthropology with an emphasis in archaeology and GIS, and a B.A. in Geography also with an emphasis in GIS, both from Central Washington University. He also earned two certificates from the University of Minnesota in Client/Server Application Development and C++ Programming.