Chris Ackermann, The Travel Channel, New York, New York

Chris Ackermann leads overall strategy for Travel Channel products and services delivered through new, emerging media platforms, including web and mobile. In this role, he identifies and evaluates new opportunities and strategic partnerships to extend the network’s reach beyond its television base. Prior to joining Travel Channel, Ackermann was Product Manager at Zoombak, a wireless LBS startup backed by Liberty Media where he managed the development of new location-enabled mobile media services. Previously, he was Product Manager at Spirent Communications, where he played a key role in the development of emerging wireless location technologies. Ackermann received a BS in Computer Engineering from Villanova University and received an MBA from Rutgers Business School.

Ceri Carlill, BP, London, United Kingdom

Ceri Carlill is a Technology Director in BP's Chief Technology Office, bringing over 20 years' experience in innovative and emerging digital technology, from R&D through product development to senior roles in consulting and large-scale systems integration.

Ceri is responsible for identifying new technologies with significant potential for BP, and piloting them within the company. He currently leads CTO's Game Changer initiative focused on Location Intelligence, whose objective is to apply geo-location and geo-spatial technologies across BP's businesses. The Game Changer has so far stimulated business applications in domains as diverse as corporate strategy; new business development in Alternative Energy; safety and operations integrity; regulatory transparency; energy trading and humanitarian assistance in hurricane zones. he Game Changer initiative is tasked with bringing annual benefits to BP of at least $50 M.

Prior to joining BP in 2006, Ceri was a Partner in Accenture, where he was Director of Accenture Technology Lab in Europe - Accenture's technology R&D organisation responsible for identifying technology trends and bringing technology innovation to clients. In that role he was responsible for many prototype developments, including a scaleable RFID infrastructure; a digital pen application for healthcare; a real-time instant messaging translator and a novel system for digital rights management. Ceri also led implementation projects throughout Europe (and beyond) at clients ranging from financial services to government, with an emphasis on pioneering eCommerce engagements.

Ceri holds BA (Hons) First Class and MLitt degrees from Oxford University. He is married with two sons.

Fran Marshall, National Geographic Maps, Washington DC

Fran Marshall is president of National Geographic Maps. In this position, Marshall oversees strategic business and product development, sales and marketing of National Geographic Maps award-winning reference, trail and interactive map products for both consumer and professional markets. National Geographic Maps also produces a variety of maps for National Geographic magazine, the official journal of the Society, as well as maps for the Society's other magazines, National Geographic Books (including the Society's signature "Atlas of the World"), Nationalgeographic.com, International Licensing and Alliances and the Society's Mission Programs.

Prior to being named president of maps in 2003, Marshall served as National Geographic Maps chief operating officer and before that as vice president of finance and administration for National Geographic Ventures, where she was involved with many aspects of National Geographic Maps, including acquisitions, strategic planning, business development and traditional financial/administrative functions. Two acquisitions included Trails Illustrated and Wildflower Productions.

Marshall joined the Society in 1992 as director of finance for the National Geographic Membership Center in Gaithersburg, Md. In that capacity she was instrumental in the creation of relationships with customers and transition of significant customer activity to various third-party service providers. Marshall later joined National Geographic Ventures, where she helped guide the corporate migrations of Nationalgeographic.com and National Geographic Maps to the taxable subsidiary. She has also been actively involved with the Enterprises Group, Nationalgeographic.com, National Geographic Maps and National Geographic Television & Film.

Prior to joining National Geographic, Marshall was vice president of finance and administration at Time Life Customer Service. She has also held various tax, audit and litigation support positions at a private company and a leading accounting firm. She has a BA in Economics, from the University of Illinois and an MBA form the College of William and Mary. Marshall is married, has two children and lives in Evergreen, Colo., where National Geographic Maps is headquartered

Bruce Bartlett, The Columbus Dispatch, Columbus, Ohio

Bruce is the Database Routing Manager for The Columbus Dispatch and has been employed there for for 34 years. During his distinguished career with the newspaper, Bruce has held a number of various positions including, Customer Service Rep, District Manager, Training District Manager, Transportation Supervisor, Depot manager and his current position of Database Routing Manager.

In his current position Bruce uses the Route Smart and ArcGIS software extensively. The use of this software has allowed The Dispatch to undertake a number of operational changes with a minimum amount of disruption to it's subscribers, contractors and advertisers. Bruce has been a central Ohio resident his entire life and earned his B.A. at The Ohio State University in 1983

Chris Johnson, GISP, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama

Chris Johnson is Vice President of Geospatial Technologies at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and is responsible for management and operations associated with Geospatial Training and Application Center (GTAC) and the Geospatial Technology programs. She also serves as Principal Investigator for USDA, NASA, Department of the Army, and Department of Homeland Security grant programs totaling more than $2M. Further, on a volunteer basis, she is a member of the Tennessee Valley Corridor Homeland Security Coalition, which works in partnership with various organizations and agencies coordinating Geospatial Technology efforts on both a state and federal level.

Ms. Johnson has over 18 years of experience in systems design; systems development and testing: and over 14 years of experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) development; Relational database systems development; Network engineering; Global Positioning Systems (GPS) development, Remote Sensing (RS) and communications. She has served as a consultant to the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Defense Intelligence Agency, Space and Missile Defense Command, NASA, USDA, National Guard Bureau Counter Drug, Criminal Justice Information Center, Homeland Security, and state and local agencies on issues related to system development and the use of GPS, GIS, Remote Sensing and communication systems. Further, Ms. Johnson is a member of the National Guard Bureau Counter Drug Technology Consortium

Mike Swartz, First American Flood Data Services, Austin, Texas

Mr. Swartz is Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for First American Flood Data Services, the nation's leading provider of guaranteed flood zone determinations and other flood risk management services to the mortgage lending and insurance industries. He is a Certified Floodplain Manager and a member of the "Land Parcel Databases: A National Vision" committee of the National Academy of Sciences.

Prior to his employment with First American, Mr. Swartz spent 11 years in various information technology and financial research positions on Wall Street. Mr. Swartz holds a M.S. degree in Computer Science from New York University and a B.A. degree in Computer Science, from Dartmouth College.

Paul Bissett, CEO, WeoGeo

Paul Bissett is the co-founder and CEO of WeoGeo, Inc., a company focused on managing and monetizing your digital mapping assets. WeoGeo's products include WeoGeo Market (www.WeoGeo.com), a one-stop geo-content marketplace, and WeoGeo Server (Server.WeoGeo.com), a network appliance for the archival, discovery, and delivery of an enterprise's geo-content. Paul has also founded and served as the Executive Director of the Florida Environmental Research Institute (FERI). For the past nine years, FERI has been at the nexus of basic and applied remote sensing and computational science. Bissett received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Marine Science from the University of South Florida, a CFA from the Institute of Charter Financial Analysts, and a B.S. in Finance and Economics from the University of Florida. He is an author on nearly 40 peer-reviewed publications in the fields of oceanography and remote sensing.

Ian Clemens, CTO, IDV Solutions

Ian Clemens is the chief technology officer for IDV Solutions. In this role, he spearheads the vision for IDV's technology and products. Bringing more than 10 years experience in the technology and consulting industries, he oversees research, product development and technology strategy. Clemens is an expert in map-based data visualization, location intelligence and GIS, and prior to joining IDV, he was director of technology solutions for Universal Map, a map publisher and distributor, and senior consultant for BBK Ltd. / Anderson Economic Group a consulting firm specializing in economics, finance, and public policy. Ian holds a degree in Applied Mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and master's degree in Christian Studies from Regent College, Vancouver, BC.

Ron Di Grandi, Director of Business Development, Time Warner Cable Los Angeles South Division

Ron is the Director of Business Development for Time Warner Cable Los Angeles South Division which services approximately 1.8 million homes passed with three lines of business, Video, High Speed Data & Telephony.  He has managed four core sales areas, which include Marketing, Direct Sales, Tap Audit and Business Development. With 25 years of cable industry experience and managing multiple areas of sales channels, Di Grandi is thoroughly experienced with data analysis to maximize sales opportunities. In 1999 Di Grandi created a new mapping process called Advanced Penetration Mapping through Multi Level Range Targeting. His mapping processes provide a wealth of location intelligence data for optimal opportunities.