Published: March 24th, 2025
We are excited to share that McElhanney’s involvement in two influential industry councils is helping shape the future of infrastructure design and technology. Our very own Kristen MacKay, Design Technology Program Manager, and Brendan Walashek, GIS Branch Manager, have been invited to contribute to Autodesk’s AEC Customer Advisory Board and the Esri Joint Customer Council.
These strategic groups bring together leaders from across the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry to enhance the integration of Autodesk’s building design and drafting software with Esri’s geographic information systems (GIS) technology. As a member of Autodesk’s AEC Customer Advisory Board, Kristen provides insights that inform Autodesk’s product development, helping ensure its tools align with evolving industry needs. Meanwhile, both Kristen and Brendan contribute to the Autodesk-Esri Joint Customer Council, which focuses on improving GIS and CAD interoperability to streamline workflows and enhance decision-making across infrastructure projects.
“I am so proud to represent McElhanney on Autodesk’s AEC Customer Advisory Board,” reflects Kristen. “Evolving technology and changing design processes have an enormous impact on the way we do our work. I am so grateful to have a window into the changes coming and a voice to share our needs as a consultant. It is incredibly insightful to meet and discuss opportunities and pain points with other consultants, government agencies, and the Autodesk team.”
Brendan also weighs in: “Being part of the Autodesk-Esri Joint Customer Council gives us a unique opportunity to influence the future of GIS and CAD integration. It’s exciting to collaborate with experts from both Autodesk and Esri to create connected, efficient solutions for infrastructure projects.”
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Autodesk and Esri for providing McElhanney with the opportunity to participate in these critical councils. By contributing to the development of these tools, we’re helping ensure our teams, clients, and the broader AEC industry have access to the most advanced and efficient solutions available.
To learn more about the Autodesk-Esri partnership, visit https://www.autodesk.com/partners/aec-partners/esri.