Employee News

Team Member Spotlight: Matt Junker

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Matt and his talents further expand the services aspect of the Cloudpoint team. His previous professional exposure has given him a rare set of tools that allow diversity in our workforce. However, each previous employment opportunity has seemingly prepared Mr. Junker (pronounced: Yunker) to be a cohesive part of our team. Professionally, Matt has worked for public and private entities. His work includes cadastral data maintenance, creation and maintenance of GIS data for various county departments, development and maintenance of mapping applications, technical support for highway department sign inventory, and review of orthophotography proposals from vendors.

Matt plays a key role in providing managed GIS services for our clients and he plans to obtain his GISP certification in 2019 as he continues to take advantage of training and educational opportunities. Some of his favorite things to do in his spare time:

  • Travel the Midwest on family adventures

  • Play / watch sports (Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks, Fighting Ilini)

  • Outdoor activities

  • Listening to live music

When asked about his most interesting fun fact Matt says, “I was born during a blizzard, and my parents made it to the hospital with the assistance of County and State snow plows.” Thank goodness for our public servants who work so hard to keep the roads cleared. To describe where his interest in GIS started, Matt recalls, “My interest in maps started when I received a pocket atlas at about age 7. I collected my own traffic data on Route 89 in Varna from the living room window later on. After early plans for Architecture or Engineering fizzled, I chose Geography and worked as a Cartographer for my first professional gig. The interest in GIS built from there.”

Matt resides in Metamora, IL with his wife, Amy, and three young children. Cloudpoint Geographics is blessed to have Matt as part of our team of professionals.

Another trip to The Esri User Conference in San Diego

Cloudpoint's Erin Strickler was able to attend the Esri User Conference, the world's largest GIS conference, in San Diego for the first time this year.  This is the fifth time that the Cloudpoint team has been represented at the conference where over 17,000 people gather to hear the latest GIS news and enjoy thousands of hours of one-on-one networking, collaboration, and fun with fellow attendees.  Erin shares some of her highlights of attending this year's conference in this blog.

Erin Strickler Joins the Cloudpoint Team

Cloudpoint Geographics is pleased to welcome Erin Strickler to our staff!  Erin is a 2003 graduate of Bradley University's civil engineering program and earned her professional engineer's license in April of 2017.  She comes with a strong background in engineering, surveying, and local governments and...

Stephenson earns GISP certificate

Congratulations to Cloudpoint's, Paul Stephenson, for becoming the team's latest certified GIS Professional (GISP).  Paul was one of the very first people to sit for the newly established GISP examination through the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) which he took last November.  With his professionalism and outstanding work ethic it was no surprise that he passed with flying colors.  Obtaining a GISP certificate involves an extensive application process which now includes the exam requirement.  With Paul's achievements, he joins Jon & Micah bringing the total number of GISP certified staff members at Cloudpoint to three.  The following are some notes highlighting what makes a certified GISP:

Pictured are Paul Stephenson (left) and Jon Hodel (right) with Paul's new GISP certification

Pictured are Paul Stephenson (left) and Jon Hodel (right) with Paul's new GISP certification

  •  Certified Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional endorsed by a 3rd party (GISCI) though a peer-reviewed evaluation. 
  • Has met the minimum standards for educational achievement, professional experience, and manner in which he or she contributes back to the profession, and practices in an ethical manner. 
  • Must abide by higher guidelines for ethical behavior. 
  • Continues to educate and reeducate him or herself while preparing for recertification. 
  • Has had their professional background scrutinized and reviewed by an independent third party organization. An Institute comprised of leading non-profit associations (AAG, NSGIC, UCGIS, GITA, URISA, and GLIS) focused on the application of GIS and geospatial technology. 
  • Can come from anywhere in the world, and current, active GISPs reside in all 50 States and 25 foreign countries.
  • Is more than a practitioner of GIS technology. 
  • Is a Professional.

Well done Paul!

Coming to an Office near you!

Here's an update as to what's going on at Cloudpoint Geographics. 

Office Remodel: 

I've had some people say they heard we were moving a while back but nothing since then.  We are deep into the remodel project and can see light at the end of the tunnel.  Here are some quick snapshots of the work being done.


employee spotlight:

Our new office manager, Jodi Hoffman, has been doing an awesome job.  Outside of work, Jodi keeps track of three fine young boys (four if you count husband Eric) and keeps things rolling smoothly at home and in the office.  We are thankful to have her on our team.


ILGISA Conference 2015: 

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We are heading to the ILGISA conference in Springfield, IL very soon.  Hoping to get moved in to the new office just before that.  Be sure to stop by our booth and say hello to our team.  We will all be there!

Also Cloudpoint will be sponsoring the new Monday night social so don't miss out on the fun.

Meet Joe!

Though often bearded, I've never seen a mustache this big!

Though often bearded, I've never seen a mustache this big!

Joe Christian joined the Cloudpoint team at the beginning of April. The first day, Joe showed up in business dress but with a backpack of clothes for field work. He said, "I didn't know what to expect, so I wanted to be ready". Great job Joe! passed on-the-job test #1. Joe is a former employee of LT Environmental in Colorado and the City of Bloomington (IL) Engineering Department. Many people might also recognize him from his dugout dancing days working for the Peoria Chiefs organization or being lead guitarist/singer in local band "The Kritters". Joe graduated in 2014 with a degree from ISU in Geography, as well 2008 from Western Illinois. We're excited to have Joe's energy and talents to work for us. He will be quite useful in the field tagging traffic signs as well in the office kicking out the map projects, however we don't have any dugouts to dance on.