PASSING THE BATON
HOW INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT SHAPES OUR FUTURE
When our Co-President, Kelly Francis, stepped down as President of MAPPS, it marked the close of a chapter that has been deeply meaningful—not only for him personally, but also for Aero-Graphics as a whole.
It’s not every day you get the privilege of helping steer the direction of an entire industry. Yet over the past several years, Kelly has done exactly that—bringing his voice, vision, and steady leadership to the MAPPS community.
“Serving as president of MAPPS has been one of the great privileges of my professional life,” Kelly shared. “Over the past years, we’ve advanced our advocacy on Capitol Hill, strengthened our partnerships across the public and private sectors, expanded our reach through conferences and collaborations, and continued to elevate the voice of private geospatial firms in a changing world.”
WHY WE’RE INVOLVED
For Aero-Graphics, MAPPS isn’t just another membership—it’s a place where the future of the geospatial industry takes shape. More importantly, it’s where private firms join forces to advocate for policies that matter, champion innovation, and share solutions that move us all forward.
As Kelly explained, “MAPPS creates space for collaboration. It’s where private geospatial firms share what’s working, tackle challenges together, and find common ground—even in a competitive marketplace.”
That spirit of connection drives us every day at Aero-Graphics. We believe in agility, accuracy, and responsiveness—not only in our client work, but also in how we contribute to the industry as a whole.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The work MAPPS leads—building relationships with lawmakers, pushing back on government insourcing, and hosting conferences that spark innovation—benefits every geospatial professional. As a result, when the industry’s collective voice grows stronger, we can all deliver better solutions, support stronger communities, and innovate with purpose.
AN INVITATION
As Kelly passes the baton to incoming MAPPS President, Renee Walmsley, we’re excited to watch the organization continue to grow. At the same time, we hope more private geospatial firms will get involved. Your voice matters. Your experience matters. And together, we can shape a future that benefits everyone.
Ultimately, leadership is about showing up, contributing your perspective, and leaving things better than you found them. That’s why industry engagement matters now more than ever.
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