Third Win for Kappa Mapping at National Geospatial Excellence Awards Program

Friday, December 9, 2011

Bangor, ME –  In November, Kappa Mapping took part in the fifth annual MAPPS Geospatial Products and Services Excellence Awards competition and won an award in the Small Projects category for the third consecutive year.
 
Kappa’s winning entry – Innovative Software use for Danbury Airport (DXR) Obstruction Mapping –  complied with government data collection and attribution requirements and supported precision approach analysis and certification.

 “Certification attracts aviation business and increases air access to the region, enhancing the airport’s economic viability,” explained Kappa Mapping President Claire Kiedrowski, who attended the awards ceremony in mid-November.

 The Bangor-based firm was recognized by MAPPS, the only national association for private geospatial firms, on November 15 at the 2011 MAPPS Fall Policy Conference in Herndon, VA.

 A panel of independent judges evaluated a wide variety of projects in seven categories – airborne and satellite data acquisition; photogrammetry/elevation data generation; remote sensing; GIS/IT; surveying/field data collection; small projects; and technology innovation. The judges made their selection on the professionalism, innovation, and societal benefit of each submission.

"These awards highlight ongoing challenges that geospatial solutions address and solve. The projects demonstrate ingenuity and professionalism MAPPS members strive to provide on a daily basis,” said John Palatiello, MAPPS Executive Director.

“We’re honored to receive this award for our airport obstruction mapping,” said Kiedrowksi. “To successfully map the treetops and other obstructing objects, we needed to display the airport’s approach and related surfaces in 3d. We accomplished this using in-house software and hardware – and a little creativity – which avoided the purchase of expensive, specialized software and saved our client money. Our solution met both our client's needs and the newest FAA requirements, which support precision approach design. “

According to Robert Burtch, chairman of the judges’ panel, Kappa Mapping won the Small Projects award for two reasons: their ingenuity and flexibility.

“Larger firms may have more assets, but Kappa expertly modified their hardware and software to meet client needs,” said Burtch. “They were willing and able to adapt when the scope of the project changed. Kappa Mapping is very deserving of this award and should be recognized for their hard work and dedication.”

In addition to chairman Robert Burtch PS, CP of Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan, the judges’ panel included Christine "Kristi" Grahl, editor of P.O.B. magazine, Troy, MI; Leonard Gilroy, AICP, director of government reform at Reason Foundation, Los Angeles, CA; and Donn Dears, president of TSAugust.org, a nonprofit think tank conducting research on energy and economic issues; and Thomas Palmerlee, associate director, Technical Activities Division at the Transportation Research Board (TRB), Washington, DC.

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About Kappa Mapping, Inc.
Kappa Mapping  provides high-quality photogrammetric and GIS services that help a wide variety of clients – architects, engineers, surveyors, developers, airport planners, utility firms, municipalities, and government agencies – solve complex problems, monitor important resources, and better manage their communities.   Kappa Mapping is a woman-owned business. For more information, call 866.836.8834 or visit kappamap.com.

About MAPPS
Formed in 1982, MAPPS is the only national association exclusively comprised of private firms in the remote sensing, spatial data and geographic information systems field in the United States. Current MAPPS memberships span the entire spectrum of the geospatial community, including Member Firms engaged in satellite and airborne remote sensing, surveying, photogrammetry, aerial photography, LIDAR, hydrography, bathymetry, charting, aerial and satellite image processing, GPS, and GIS data collection and conversion services. MAPPS also includes Associate Member Firms, which are companies that provide hardware, software, products and services to the geospatial profession in the United States and other firms from around the world. MAPPS provides its 160+ member firms opportunities for networking and developing business-to-business relationships, information sharing, education, public policy advocacy, market growth, and professional development and image enhancement. For more information, please visit MAPPS.org.

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Bangor Business Owner Named to Board of National Geospatial Association

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Bangor, ME – MAPPS, the only national association of private sector firms specializing in aerial surveys, remote sensing, spatial data, and geographic information systems, recently announced the election of Kappa Mapping President Claire Kiedrowski to its board of directors for a two-year term, 2011- 2013.

"This is truly an honor," said Kiedrowski, who is one of three newly elected board members. "I look forward to working with my highly respected colleagues and to giving back to an organization that has benefited me both professionally and personally."

According to nominating committee chair Bobby Tuck, the group put together a slate of 16 candidates who met nine criteria including peer recognition and respect for work in the geospatial field, strong management skills, and the political acumen necessary to serve MAPPS well.

Association members then elected three of the nominees, and re-elected five others, during the MAPPS summer conference at the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing (Lake George), New York in June.

"Our members had a tough decision to make this year," said MAPPS President Richard McDonald, Director of Geospatial Services for Pennsylvania-based T3 Global Strategies, Inc, "There were many outstanding candidates, and I know that Claire ranked high thanks to the active role she's taken in MAPPS and her reputation as a very astute business woman. I'm sure she'll use these same leadership qualities to benefit the entire geospatial community, and I look forward to serving with her on the board."

Kappa Mapping is a woman-owned business providing photogrammetric and GIS services to help clients solve complex problems, monitor important resources, and better manage their communities. For more information, call 866.836.8834 or visit www.kappamap.com.

MAPPS provides 180+ member firms representing the geospatial community with opportunities to network and develop business-to-business relationships, share information, learn about and advocate for public policy, and to develop and enhance their company's image in the marketplace. For more information, please visit. www.MAPPS.org.

Kappa Mapping Wins Small Projects Award for Second Time at National Geospatial Excellence Awards Program

Friday, December 10, 2010

Bangor, ME – Kappa Mapping recently received the Small Projects award for the second year in a row as part of the fourth annual MAPPS Geospatial Products and Services Excellence Awards competition.

Kappa’s winning entry – Tenant's Harbor Buoy Counting Project – used photogrammetry to inventory the number of buoys marking lobster traps in Tenants Harbor, Maine, an innovative approach that proved to be much more reliable than the traditional method of hand-counting from a boat.

The Bangor-based firm was recognized by MAPPS, a national association of photogrammetry, mapping, and geospatial firms, on November 17 at the 2010 MAPPS Fall Policy Conference held this year in Orlando, FL.

Kappa Mapping, Inc. Launches New Website

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 at 2:45 pm

Bangor — Claire Kiedrowski, president of Bangor-based Kappa Mapping, today announced the launch of the firm’s new website at kappamap.com.

Kappa Mapping provides aerial photography, photogrammetry, and digital mapping services to clients across a variety of markets, including architects, engineers, surveyors, utility firms, municipalities, and airport planners.

“As we begin our eighth year, we wanted a new website, one that highlights our growth from a subcontract firm to a firm that’s a leader in project management,” said Kiedrowski, who is one of just under 500 ASPRS-certified photogrammetrists in the US, a small number when compared to the 1.5 million employed US engineers.

Contract Award-Augusta State Airport

Monday, August 30th, 2010 at 6:16 pm

Kappa Mapping, Inc. is pleased to announce that a successful teaming competitive bid has been awarded to the Prime Airport Consultant - Hoyle, Tanner and Associates – by the Maine Department of Transportation for Airport Planning and Engineering Services for the Augusta State Airport.

The contract is for a five-year procurement of AUG engineering and mapping activities. As part of the team, KAPPA Mapping, Inc. will be called upon to provide obstruction or on-airport mapping services when needed.

 

City of Portland

Friday, July 30th, 2010 at 7:13 pm

Kappa Mapping, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has completed a multi-faceted contract with the City of Portland, Maine to update Cliff, Peaks, and Cushing Islands orthophotos, and develop mainland drainage-pattern data in support of the stormwater compliance program. Based on available photography and related inputs, KAPPA tailored the tasks to accomplish the City’s goals. In addition, Kappa converted existing mapping data into road, parking lot, driveway, and sidewalk polygons in support of the city’s effort to quantify impervious surfaces.

Staff Addition-Robin Howard

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 2:35 pm

Kappa Mapping, Inc. is proud to announce and welcome Robin L. Howard to our staff as a CADD Technician.  Robin brings with her over 20 years of CADD experience.  In 2003, Robin received a BS in Computer Information Systems from the University of Maine at Augusta, UCB Campus where Robin graduated suma cume laude.  We are pleased to have Robin on board and look forward to her contributions to our organization.

City of Belfast

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 2:43 pm

In accordance with the City’s objectives, Kappa Mapping Inc. was contracted to prepare new tax maps and update the City of Belfast’s tax parcels. Our staff worked in collaboration with the Assessor’s Department and the Planning Department  to ensure parcels were concurrent with state orthophotographs and town road widths.  Software for the project included both  ArcView 9.3 and MicroStation v8. Kappa Mapping delivered 37 PDF maps now available for viewing on the town’s website as well as plots and GIS data.