Show-Me State Times

Mark Munsell, a former executive at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), has been appointed as the new Project Lead for GeoFutures. This initiative, under Greater St. Louis, Inc., aims to position St. Louis as a leading center for geospatial technology.

Dustin Allison, Interim CEO for Greater St. Louis, Inc., commented on the appointment: “St. Louis is a thriving geospatial community where this year we’ll get to celebrate the opening of NGA St. Louis and are showcasing our emergence as a national hub for defense tech.” He added, “As our geospatial ecosystem enters its next phase of growth, we are extremely fortunate to have Mark Munsell lead our efforts. There is no one in the geospatial industry better qualified to help St. Louis write the next chapter of geospatial excellence than Mark Munsell.”

Munsell expressed his enthusiasm about working with the local community: “As a St. Louis native, I cannot think of anything more important than working with the community to bring new emphasis to job growth, startups, and capital investment, as well as assist existing geospatial technology companies grow business in the region.” He highlighted that "the intersection of geospatial with agriculture, biosciences, and defense – all accelerated with common AI innovation – is St. Louis’ greatest opportunity for long-term growth."

The announcement comes amid significant developments in St. Louis' geospatial sector over recent years. These include major firms expanding due to NGA's presence and initiatives like the Taylor Geospatial Institute and Engine aimed at advancing research and commercialization of new technologies.

Further enhancing these efforts is Project Connect which seeks to strengthen ties between the geospatial sector and local communities around NGA’s facility. Educational programs have also been developed to support workforce needs in this growing industry.

Munsell will oversee this evolving landscape while opportunities increase for collaboration across sectors such as agtech and biosciences.

Legislative support has also bolstered these initiatives; notably through last year's passage of the National Geospatial Innovation Hub Advancement Act within broader defense legislation.

U.S Senator Eric Schmitt previously convened a roundtable meeting involving industry leaders in anticipation of this legislation which includes plans for developing skilled workforces tailored towards defense intelligence requirements potentially housed at NGA St.Louis.

Munsell brings extensive experience from his previous roles at NGA including serving as Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer where he integrated AI efforts across operations along with holding various technical leadership positions throughout his career beginning at NOAA before transitioning back into government service post founding IMAPS offering digital planning services globally since 2000 onwards until rejoining federal ranks again by mid-2000s onward contributing significantly ever since then until present day appointment here now announced today officially marking another milestone forward collectively together alongside everyone involved moving ahead positively united always striving forward ultimately toward achieving shared goals mutually beneficially aligned perfectly fittingly altogether finally indeed conclusively so forth henceforth hereby thereby duly noted acknowledged affirmed stated declared pronounced enunciated articulated voiced conveyed communicated broadcasted 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