Gene Trobia, who was Arizona State Cartographer for the last 17 years, is joining the University of Arizona to help establish and head the Center for Geospatial Innovation, Science and Technology (GIST).
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) is creating the GIST Center to promote geospatial innovation and to establish long-term relationships with local, state, tribal, federal and other groups in order to facilitate the growth of Arizona’s high-tech economy.
Trobia, who holds a BLA and MLA in landscape architecture from the University of Arizona, is uniquely positioned to lead the new center. He has over 30 years of experience in professional public geographic information systems (GIS).
As the Arizona State Cartographer, Trobia helped establish state GIS standards, coordinate multi-agency projects, and improve access to geospatial databases. He was the director of the Arizona Geographic Information Council (AGIC), which is the leading GIS professional organization in the state. He collaborated with the Western Governors Association Geographic Information Council; the Southwest GIS User Group and Western Regional Partnership; and the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC). Trobia was also appointed to the National Geospatial Advisory Committee by the Secretary of the Interior. In 2013, Trobia received both the AGIC President’s Volunteer Service Award and the NSGIC Lifetime Service Award.
“Gene Trobia is very well-known within the geospatial industry,” said John Paul Jones, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “His background lends itself to forging stronger interdisciplinary linkages and with advancing workforce development in Arizona’s burgeoning information economy.”
Trobia says he’s excited to join the UA. “I’m an alumnus, so I have a fond place in my heart for the UA.”
“In my position as State Cartographer, I’ve been trying to promote GIS and facilitate its use throughout the state,” said Trobia. “At the UA, I can share my networks and knowledge base to do similar things, but on an even broader range of topics, such as public service projects. I tend to be very collaborative, so I want to work with people who are already involved in GIS and see how we can leverage expertise and resources and try to accomplish things together.”
The primary site for the GIST Center will be the UA Downtown building, located on the northwest corner of Stone Ave. and Pennington St. in Tucson. The GIST Center will also maintain a presence at UA Chandler because of the large geospatial industry in the greater Phoenix area.
Under the direction of Trobia, the GIST Center will conduct outreach and community projects using GIS technology. The GIST Center will apply for and assist with the development of grant proposals, provide contracting and subcontracting services with companies and agencies, assist public agencies with their geospatial needs, facilitate non-degree seeking workshops and certificates (online and in person) through the Outreach College, and offer geospatial internships for undergraduate and graduate students at the UA.
“The Center will be a wonderful addition to our growing outreach activities,” said Lydia Breunig, the director of community outreach and special projects for the College of SBS. “The GIST Center allows us to create new community partnerships, share our expertise with those who need it, and supply continuing education opportunities in a growing field.”
GIS is currently used by more than 140,000 organizations globally to solve problems in environmental and resource management, the health sciences, business, and urban/regional development. In addition, the United States Department of Labor has declared geospatial technologies an “emerging industry” with vast potential for job and industry growth.
Chris Lukinbeal, the director of the UA’s Geographic Information Systems Technology master’s and certificate programs, says he is fielding a growing number of requests for the expertise of the students and instructors. Current projects range from developing a land use plan for the Tohono O’odham Nation to help it identify urban agricultural opportunities, to using GIS and remote sensing to help predict how western forest ecosystems respond to climate change.
Lukinbeal adds that environmental technology, renewable energy, water resource management, and “green” or sustainable industries will play a significant role in Arizona’s economy in the future, all of which will require the expertise offered by the GIST Center.
“I think it’s a perfect time to create a center like this,” said Lukinbeal. “Our GIST graduate degree and certificate is growing, and students need and want hands-on experience. Public and private organizations in Arizona also have an increased need for GIST expertise and data. On top of that, hiring someone of Gene Trobia’s caliber to the UA really emphasizes our commitment to emerging technologies.”
Contact: Chris Lukinbeal, School of Geography and Development,
clukinbe@email.arizona.edu, 520-621-6181