Strategic Alliance Consulting, Inc. (Strategic ACI) is proud to announce one of their employees, Marisa Hess, was recently selected to the Board of Directors for USGIF (United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation), as well as Co-Chair for the Young Professionals Working Group. As a member of the board, Marisa provides input into the foundation’s decisions and strategies. She also supports the Tradecraft and Professional Development Committee, where they cover and implement ways to assess the need for geospatial intelligence professionals to support government, industry and academia.
In May of 2015, Marisa graduated from James Madison University where she studied Earth Science. As a result of her passion for science, Marisa initially focused on meteorology. However, after taking some geospatial classes, Marisa realized that she had an interest in maps, further exploring our world through geography. Her interest in the geographic sciences field profession brought her to Strategic ACI and the GEOINT industry.
Currently with Strategic ACI, Marisa is a Geospatial Data Manager for the Army National Military Cemeteries (ANMC) program. In this role, she manages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technical and analytical services to assure quality analysis and quality control of the GIS Database and the Enterprise Interment Scheduling System. Prior to supporting ANMC, she was Deputy Project Manager at MDA Information Systems, managing a team of 41 individuals conducting remote sensing and mapping projects for the Department of Defense (DoD).
Marisa says, “I enjoy my work immensely and look forward to the opportunities that being selected to the USGIF Board of Directors will bring.”
Marisa feels that combining her interest in science and research along with her professional efforts with USGIF will enable her to support further development of the community and the young professionals who follow in her footsteps. Marisa recently attended the USGIF’s GEOINT 2019 Symposium, where she provided onsite coordination for the USGIF Young Professional Group and USGIF Golden Ticket winners. She shared her thoughts on being a young professional, telling others in attendance, “Be kind, open and transparent. Go with your gut in decision making and always do the right thing!”