EarthData expands involvement in international and government affairs
November 17, 2003
Washington, DC - EarthData today announced the promotion of Jorge A. Canovas to the new position of director of international and government relations.
The appointment of Canovas, an attorney experienced in international relations and federal affairs, is another step in EarthData's drive both to provide international markets with the same advanced technologies and services available in the United States and to continue building congressional support for critical domestic geospatial preparedness and other programs. As director of international and government relations, Canovas will expand EarthData's business in nations where geospatial services are critically needed, as well as broaden EarthData's government affairs practice to increase the U.S. legislative constituency for and awareness of the latest mapping technologies.
"With Canovas taking the lead in international and government affairs, EarthData will focus lobbying and international efforts, increase the company's visibility with international organizations in the nation's capital and abroad, and pinpoint the ripest new markets," said Bryan Logan, chairman and CEO of EarthData.
Canovas said his initial goal will be to educate EarthData customers and U.S. government decision- makers about EarthData's two exclusive technologies: ISTAR® and GeoSAR. "Internationally, I will inform agencies about the benefits of EarthData's technologies and the remarkable impact they can have in nations where areas have not been well mapped," he said. "Domestically, I look forward to working with specific members of Congress and their staffs to boost support for U.S. mapping opportunities as well as to highlight the significant potential EarthData's rapid response mapping system offers in support of Homeland Security."
Prior to his position with EarthData, Canovas served as chief operating officer for an international internet company with offices in the United States, India, and the Philippines. During a previous six-year tenure with the Swiss Procurement Company, Canovas directed all foreign government relations and general business operations throughout Latin America, Africa, and the Far East. For the last year, he has been director of EarthData's legal and regulatory affairs.
EarthData is an airborne data collection, mapping, and GIS services company that provides clients with customized products and services to support a wide range of land management activities. With its fleet of aircraft, the company collects aerial photography, uses an airborne laser sensing system (lidar) and imaging radar (GeoSAR) to produce 3D terrain models, and develops or deploys other remote sensing technologies to detect information about the earth's surface. EarthData offices nationwide use this data to create and supply photogrammetric, lidar, radar, and digital orthophoto mapping and GIS applications and services.
Contact:
Mary Hiatt
301-948-8550, ext. 111
mhiatt@earthdata.com
