Published: January 24, 2024
Trailblazing GIS Innovation: Brendan Walashek on the Pathfinders Podcast
In one of the latest episodes of the Pathfinders Podcast, an online community dedicated to collecting the stories of those who have a unique commitment to pioneering new ideas and methods in their industry, one of McElhanney’s very own experts, Brendan Walashek, shares his remarkable 25-year journey in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Brendan’s career began at a time when digital mapping technology was in its infancy – predating platforms like MapQuest and Google Maps. On the podcast, Brendan reflects on his evolution from a coder who worked on website designs to finding a passion in geography and evolving into a leader of transformative GIS initiatives, including projects in urban planning, emergency response, and environmental sustainability at McElhanney. His story emphasizes the importance of adaptability and teamwork, sharing that “innovation comes from listening closely and persevering,” in navigating the ever-evolving tech landscape.
The episode delves into his journey with McElhanney, where he started off as one of only two GIS technicians in the entire organization. “All of a sudden I had all this access to data – we were satellite imagery sellers and flew our own ortho for all the municipalities and we did all the mapping for their roads and utilities, so we had a lot of data,” Brendan shares. He describes how he was able to take his internet and web development background and really push data into GIS where he was able to display and disseminate data across Canada and worldwide – a game changer for those who need to visualize intelligent data on maps to collaborate on complex projects.
Now, engaging with McElhanney’s diverse teams of experts, Brendan drives projects forward by creating geospatial tools like our proprietary web mapping product, Vertisee, for disaster response, 3D modeling, and GIS solutions tailored to sectors ranging from asset management to civil engineering. Brendan’s passion for harnessing GIS as a force for positive change inspires his colleagues and the podcast’s listeners to explore its potential across industries.
Discover how GIS can transform industries and inspire innovation by tuning into Brendan’s episode on the Pathfinders Podcast:
https://www.pathfinders.social/post/brendanwalashek
Want to find more information on how GIS could be used for your new project? Learn more about our services and project applications here:
/services/geospatial/
Have a question for Brendan? Connect with him on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-walashek/