The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation marks its fifth anniversary as a not-for-profit educational organization committed to promoting the geospatial intelligence tradecraft and building a stronger GEOINT Community.

Herndon, Va. –  The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) marks its fifth anniversary as a not-for-profit educational organization committed to promoting the geospatial intelligence tradecraft and building a stronger GEOINT Community. “I am amazed with and proud of the Foundation’s accomplishments over the years,” said K. Stuart Shea, USGIF chairman and CEO. “In five short years, USGIF, its board of directors and its membership, have achieved so much and created a truly unique organization that continues to be a key player in the tradecraft’s continuous growth and success.”

In 2003, a group of leading authorities realized an inherent need for a unified vision and approach to promoting the geospatial intelligence tradecraft after the success of the GEO-INTEL 2003 conference-the predecessor to the annual GEOINT Symposium. The hard work of this small group resulted in the official establishment of USGIF. The Foundation’s mission was, and continues to be, to bring together government, industry, academia, professional organizations and individuals for the advancement of the geospatial intelligence tradecraft as it relates to national security.

Being the first and only organization of its kind, USGIF has helped to advance the tradecraft through its many events and programs, such as the highly acclaimed GEOINT Symposium and technology focused TECH DAYS. The Foundation currently has 156 sustaining member organizations supporting and assisting in executing the Foundation’s objectives. The Foundation also has made education a top priority, exemplified by its scholarships, college and university accreditation programs, grants to underprivileged K-12 schools and other initiatives.

USGIF President Keith J. Masback, who joined the Foundation in March 2008, said, “The remarkable partnership that makes up the Foundation has accomplished so much in its first five years, and I’m absolutely thrilled with the opportunities that I see for us in the coming five years and beyond. I especially look forward to increasing the Foundation’s educational outreach, and we are all excited about the future as we continue to foster the Community and further establish GEOINT as the foundation for all intelligence disciplines.”

“Finally,” Masback concluded, “I’d like to take a moment this day to thank our small staff and to recognize the many volunteers from our member organizations, as together they epitomize the essence of what make not-for-profit organizations like USGIF special, and without whom we wouldn’t have accomplished so much.”

To learn more about the Foundation or the USGIF Awards Program, please visit us atwww.usgif.org.