This award, named after the distinguished scientist, explorer and second director of USGS, recognizes a representative of state or local governments whose outstanding achievements have made significant contributions to the advancement of the USGS mission.

As Spokane County GIS manager, Von Essen negotiated cooperative agreements to share data and cooperate with the USGS on the one of the first nine pilot projects for The National Map. He also served as a technical consultant, facilitated and encouraged other counties in eastern Washington and northern Idaho to participate in The National Map, advance the compatibility of regional data sets and encourage new collaboration and partnerships with USGS.

Von Essen currently serves as a member of a national team that includes USGS, the National States Geographic Information Council and the National Association of Counties to develop strategies for furthering the implementation of The National Map nationwide.

The John Wesley Powell award will be presented to Ian Von Essen at an honor awards ceremony at USGS headquarters in Reston, Virginia, in October.

Source: USGS, Sept. 2, 2004