Staff

Andy Robertson

After serving as lead Project Manager for over 10 years, Andy Robertson assumed the position of GeoSpatial Services Director on June 01, 2015.  In his role as Director, Andy is responsible for oversight and management of all GeoSpatial Services projects, activities and staff.  He continues to lead the management of project resources for a wide range of spatial data development and natural resource related projects as well as provide supervision and development for technical staff. Andy also has primary responsibilities for customer relationship management, marketing, proposal preparation, hiring, and integration of GeoSpatial Services with the broader University community at Saint Mary’s.  Andy has over 30 years of GIS project experience and has worked for a variety of public sector organizations, private companies and GIS/forestry consultants. Before joining GSS, his work activities were focused on forest management and providing GIS and IT consulting services to the forest products industry. From prior positions, Andy also has a diverse background in environmental management; site specific and regional level environmental impact assessments; the development of local and regional watershed management plans; implementation of biodiversity surveys and development wildlife management strategies. Through all of these initiatives, his focus has been on implementing appropriate GIS applications and other information technologies, such as GPS; image analysis, and field computing, to facilitate information gathering, analysis and decision support. Andy earned a Forest Technology Diploma from Sault College of Applied Technology in Ontario, Canada and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies Degree from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.  He also completed post-graduate courses and research in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto.  Andy is a Registered Professional Forest Technologist and a member of the College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologists, the National Association of Wetland Managers, the Canadian Institute of Forestry and the Society of American Foresters.

Kevin Stark

Kevin Stark is the Assistant Director at GeoSpatial Services. In addition to his responsibilities as Assistant Director, Kevin contributes to GSS’s wetland science and mapping work. Kevin earned a B.S. of Forestry from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point in 1999, providing him with a broad natural resource education. From this degree, he followed a career path in arboriculture several years focusing on scientifically-based tree care. Then, after a few years advancing in retail management for a private electronics company, Kevin began the Masters of Science in GIS at Saint Mary’s. While earning his M.S. of GIS, Kevin began his time at GeoSpatial Services in 2006 as a student GIS technician. Then, from 2008 until 2015, he was a full-time GIS & Natural Resource Analyst, working on a wide variety of projects from the very first Natural Resource Condition Assessment to one of the first wetland functional assessment that GSS completed. Over the last several years, Kevin contributed to GSS projects ranging from oil industry GIS data conversion, imagery processing, wetland mapping, wetland field verification, and natural resource condition assessments for Alaska and Northern Great Plains National Parks. During his time working on natural resource condition assessments, Kevin focused on topics such as land cover/land use, native plant communities, and natural disturbance regimes (e.g., wildfire). Currently, his focus lies in wetland functional assessments and in advancing mapping techniques through the use of elevation derived products, hydrologic toolset parameters, and other GIS data. Outside of work Kevin loves spending time with his wife and three young boys, and he enjoys fishing, photography, canoeing, scuba-diving, and gardening (both native plants and vegetables).

Eric Lindquist

Eric began working at GeoSpatial Services in January of 2016 after a rewarding and lengthy career (16 years) in Collegiate Athletics. A desire for career change and a love of the outdoors led him to pursue a Master of Science in Geographic Information Sciences at Saint Mary’s University. Originally, from Richfield, MN, Eric and his wife have loved living in the Winona area with their 2 dogs for many years. A passionate hunter and fisherman, he is more often than not found hunting and fishing and exploring the upper Mississippi and bluff lands of SE Minnesota, Western Wisconsin and the western US.

Jeff Knopf

Jeff graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Geography with an emphasis in environmental studies from the University of North Dakota.   Jeff started at Saint Mary’s University as a GIS technician working on utility mapping projects in the spring of 2001. Prior to this he spent two years working for the Upper Midwest Aerospace Consortium at the University of North Dakota as a geospatial technician creating weekly vegetation maps for several states and analyzing satellite data for farmers using precision agricultural practices. As a GIS analyst for Geospatial Services he currently supervises the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) update projects being conducted throughout the State of Alaska.  He is also a technical advisor with the Alaska Hydro Working Group, where he assists with technical advice and development of editing standards for a group of agencies in Alaska working on NHD updates.  Jeff also instructs, mentors, and trains graduate students in the use of GIS. In his free time Jeff likes to be with his family, restore classic cars, and is very involved with volunteer work in his community.

Kristen Knopf

Kris earned a B.S. in environmental geography from the University of North Dakota. She moved to Winona in 2001 to pursue her master’s in GIS at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and began working at GSS at that time. While at GSS, Kris has worked on numerous projects and has helped develop and implement the procedures used for the various projects including: utility mapping, image processing, photo interpretation, data conversion and The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) in Alaska. Kris also serves as a mentor to both undergraduate and graduate students allowing the students to obtain hands-on experience in the use of GIS.

David Rokus

David is wetland interpreter and GIS Analyst with GeoSpatial Services, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He obtained a B.S. in Geography – Physical Environment and minor in GIS from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point in 2001. He then worked as a survey technician for RLK Inc. in Minnetonka, MN; performing registered land and topographic surveys, tree inventories, wetland delineations, preliminary and final plats, construction and utility staking, building layouts, and property and easement descriptions. For Vilas County, Wisconsin in 2003 he updated land use planning databases and survey descriptions and collected aquatic, invasive species data in local lakes. In 2005 he acquired a M.S. from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Geographic Information Science – Natural Resource Management. Since then he has been involved with a number of a wetland mapping initiatives with GeoSpatial Services. Projects include partners from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, state DNRs, Army Corps. of Engineers, National Park Service, public universities, and private businesses. David is familiar with the following mapping standards: National Wetland Inventory, Wetland Status and Trends, Wetland Functional Capacity, Landscape Landform Water Flow Water Body Mapping, and Anderson Land Use classification. He focuses on wetland classification, signature matching, field verification and navigation, quality assurance and quality control, and convention documentation with GeoSpatial Services. David enjoys spending his free time engaged in outdoor activities, brewing beer and mead, gardening, cooking, and training his border collie.

Andy Nadeau

Andy graduated from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2007 with an Environmental Biology major. Following the completion of his undergraduate research, he went to Boise State University in order to obtain a Masters Degree in Raptor Biology (’12). His Masters research focused on the population genetics of Bald Eagles in the Pacific Northwest, and the population’s recovery following a genetic bottleneck. Andy’s field experience includes avian surveys and population counts; fish mark and recapture, electro shocking, exotic species removal; and raptor capture, surveys, and bald eagle banding. In his free time, Andy is an avid disc golfer and continues his hockey career in adult hockey leagues. He also enjoys playing broomball in the winter with his wife Missy.

Kathy Allen

Kathy attended Knox College in Illinois as an undergraduate, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in biology with a concentration in environmental studies and earning honors for a senior research project in animal behavior. She went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development at UW-Madison. Her focus there was on land management and she participated in a project with the Wisconsin DNR, studying the expansion of a State Natural Area. She has worked for Prairie Restorations, Inc., as a management crew leader and with the MN Department of Agriculture’s gypsy moth trapping program. She also worked at a public charter school where she enjoyed sharing her passion for biology and love of the outdoors with children of all ages. Kathy joined GSS in 2010 and has worked on numerous Natural Resource Condition Assessments (NRCAs), the Badlands Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA), and National Wetland Inventory (NWI) updates for Minnesota and North Dakota. Outside of work, Kathy is an avid cyclist and a board member for the local Sierra Club group.

Roger Meyer

Roger joined the GeoSpatial Services team as a GIS Developer/Analyst in January of 2017. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s Degree in Geographic Information Science for Development and Environment from Clark University in Worcester, MA. Roger has served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Botswana, Southern Africa, where he worked with local communities and government agencies to improve the management, protection and infrastructure of the Kgaladi Transfrontier Park and Tsodilo Hills National Monument. He also has diverse work experience with GIS and remote sensing-based projects, including 6 years of experience in developing and applying geospatial solutions for investigating the spatial components of aquatic ecosystem research for the Great Rivers and Great Lakes Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program at the EPA Mid-Continent Ecology Lab in Duluth, MN.  Prior to joining GSS, he spent 7 years leading a project to map terrestrial habitats on the islands of American Samoa using remote sensing data.  Roger enjoys spending his free time with his family, hiking, camping and traveling.

Nick Lemcke

Nick graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2008. After earning his undergraduate degree, Nick interned with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in the invasive species division. In 2010, Nick began pursuing a Masters of Geographic Information Science at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. During his graduate studies, he worked at GeoSpatial Services. As a student worker, Nick's projects primarily focused on: wetland data conversion, photographic interpretation of wetlands, and updating the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). In 2017, Nick accepted a full time position at GeoSpatial Services as a GIS Technician and is currently working on the National Wetland Inventory (NWI) update for North Dakota. Outside of work, he likes to golf, fish, and cook.

Katie Engelmann

Katie is a Natural Resource & GIS Analyst with GeoSpatial Services, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Throughout her education and career, integration of wetland science and technology has been an ongoing aim. In 2008, Katie obtained a B.S. in Natural Resources from the University of Minnesota. She worked for Federal and local government organizations, aiding farm and land owners in conservation. She has been a Certified Wetland Delineator in Minnesota since 2011. In 2017, she earned a M.S. from the University of North Dakota in Geography & Geographic Information Science. Her research utilized remote sensing to inventory and monitor wetlands at Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Minnesota. As an environmental consultant in northern Minnesota, she conducted delineations and wetland monitoring services in a variety of wetland types. Most recently she served as a volunteer educator in a remote wilderness community in the North Cascades of Washington. Aside from work, Katie enjoys travel and wilderness hiking with her husband and two children, honing traditional folk skills, and reading.

Dave Orndorff

Dave started as a GIS Analyst at GeoSpatial Services in summer of 2021. He completed his Bachelor's Degree in Geography at Virginia Tech in 2008 and has worked within VT's College of Natural Resources since then, mostly leading efforts to update the National Wetlands Inventory in the eastern United States. Other work has included wetland data conversion, Anderson coding, soils classification, riparian mapping, and invasive species management. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, in his free time he enjoys spending time outdoors, fishing, and all things music.

 Mike Knudson

Mike joined GSS as a GIS Technician in January 2021. In 2010, Mike earned his B.S. in Natural Resources from the University of Minnesota. In 2014, he obtained an M.S. from the University of North Dakota in Earth System Science and Policy. His research integrated remote sensing and environmental monitoring to create a habitat suitability index for the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera praeclara) on the Sheyenne National Grassland in eastern North Dakota. He also collaborated on research that analyzed annual terrestrial water budgets in the Coteau des Prairie of eastern South Dakota. Mike brings a diversity of professional experience including GIS, environmental monitoring, and teaching. He aims to apply his experiences in decision support and education. Mike comes to Saint Mary’s University following a year of volunteering in a remote wilderness community in the North Cascades of Washington. He enjoys traveling and wilderness exploration with his wife and two children, along with wood crafting and upland bird hunting.

Elise Rosengren

 Elise joined GSS in 2022 as a GIS Programmer/Analyst having worked in geographic information science and natural resources since 1999. She earned two degrees from the University of Minnesota: B.S. Recreation Resource Management and Master of Geographic Information Science. Elise has experience working for government agencies, universities, non profit organizations, and private companies. She is largely interested in spatiotemporal GIS work in a civil service capacity. This allows her to explore creative solutions to complex problems relating to the biophysical, managerial, and social issues surrounding natural resources. You can find Elise catching up with the latest cozy video game, petting all the dogs at the dog park, investigating the newest brewery/food truck combo, or chasing waterfalls on the North Shore. She lives in Minneapolis with her partner Chris, her dog Kota (Kota Bean, Pups, Goofus), and her cat Basil (B-bud, BeeZEE, B).

James Loken

James originally started at GSS as a student worker in the Fall of 2017 while pursuing an undergraduate degree. James graduated from Saint Mary’s with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/GIS in May 2019. He remains enrolled at Saint Mary’s to finish out a Master’s degree in Data Intelligence and GeoAnalytics (DIGA). In his free time James enjoys kayaking, hunting, fishing, riding motorcycle, and helping his parents out with their various businesses.

Josh Balsiger

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Josh graduated from Saint Mary's University of MN with his Bachelors in Environmental Biology while playing soccer, running track, and working at GSS. After starting as an intern in 2018, Josh joined the team permanently as a technician in the fall of 2020. With a natural sciences educational background and work experience in aquatic ecology research, he looks to use the skills he's learned in GIS to inform his life-long passions for sustainability and conservation. He currently is a grad student at the university working towards his MBA. Josh is also very involved in the soccer community of SE Minnesota. After coaching at the club and HS level, he now assists the Men’s team at SMUMN, captains a minor league team in Rochester: Med City, and in his free time enjoys fly fishing, hunting, and all things outdoors.

 Madalyn Bollig

While Madalyn earned her B.A. in Environmental Biology from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, she worked as a Student Intern at Geospatial Services until her graduation in May 2020. There, Madalyn, along with her advisor Dr. Ben Pauli published research on the Analysis of preferred habitats of needlegrass (Hesperostipa spartea) and spotted knapweed (Centaurea biebersteinii) in the Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area, a research project that used GIS and MaxEnt speciation analysis to document and predict the relationship between invasive and native species establishment patterns. In the summers, she worked as Parks and Recreation Specialist for the WI Department of Natural Resources at Interstate State Park (St. Croix Falls, WI) and Straight Lake State Park (Luck, WI). Madalyn then went on to earn her M.S. in Biology with a Geospatial Certificate from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD (May 2022) and Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle License from the Federal Aviation Administration (March 2021). There, she and research advisor, Dr. Mark Dixon, conducted research on the Ecological Changes of the Lower Niobrara River to Lewis and Clark Lake Delta from Past to Present, using GIS, remote sensing, and traditional field methods to analyze the sedimentation and riparian vegetation shifts along the Niobrara (NE) and Missouri Rivers from 1985-2020. Madalyn is very excited to be back home with her SMU GSS family and hopes to make a positive impact on the community around her.

Kyle Good

Kyle is a GIS Analyst with GeoSpatial Services of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (SMUMN). He is an alumni of SMUMN, class of 2015, where he earned an M.S. in Geographic Information Science.  Kyle’s undergrad is from Valparaiso University in Indiana, where he earned a B.S. in Geoscience, class of 2012. Kyle has diverse work experience with a background working with the National Park Service as an environmental educator as well as wetland delineation and classification and professional writing with GSS. He also has professional GIS experience working in local municipal government and commercial food/beverage services. He specializes in database configuration and development, GIS systems management, cartography, mobile mapping application development, and web mapping solution development. In his spare time, Kyle enjoys photography, model making, travel, and spending time with family and friends.

Nicole Ryan

Nicole joined GSS as a GIS Analyst in August 2023. In 2020, they earned a B.S. in geography from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. Nicole has worked in the public works and utilities sectors of the geospatial industry. They also have experience as a middle school substitute science teacher and environmental educator. Nicole values the importance of science literacy and believes that tools like geographic information systems play a critical role in visualizing environmental impacts for all folks to understand. You can find Nicole enjoying time in nature, hiking in all seasons, cycling with their partner Tom, and spending time with their cat Ella.

 Klaus Friedli

Klaus started working for GSS as a student in the summer of 2018 while completing his undergraduate degree in Environmental Biology at SMUMN. He joined the team full-time in November 2021, after working in Montana on the Invasive Species Strike Team for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Klaus worked in the front and backcountry across the entire state of Montana, doing fieldwork on mainly invasive plants and other research projects, but Missoula was where his home was. He is currently enrolled in SMUMN’s Data Intelligence and GeoAnalytics Masters program. Outside of work, you can find him fly fishing from his canoe or in a trout stream, downhill skiing, or hiking in search of unique wildflowers. Go Pack go!

Madison Mitchell

Madison grew up in Washington, Illinois, and graduated from Winona State University with a B.S. in Geology. She started working at GSS shortly after graduation. In her free time, Madison enjoys playing board games and video games with her roommates and friends. Other than hanging out with friends, she enjoys learning about space and geologic Earth processes, longboarding, painting, and listening to fun conspiracy theories.

 Teddy Oberle

Teddy (TJ) is from and lives in the suburbs of the Twin Cities area and earned his Bachelor’s in Environmental Biology and Master’s in Human Development with an emphasis in Diversity and Inclusion from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. While an undergrad, he worked in the GSS department for the summer of 2014 and has returned in 2022 to pursue his career in the field. Teddy spends his free time with his two dogs, partner, and backyard chickens or woodworking in the garage.

 Avrey Simonson

Avrey graduated from Saint Mary’s University in 2022 with a degree in Environmental Biology, where she worked for GSS as a student intern during her senior year. When she isn’t working, she is reading and missing the days of bingo.

Andrew Smith 

Andrew joined GSS as a GIS Technician in November 2022. He holds a B.A. in Geology, with minors in Geography & Biology, from Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN. His experience includes geospatially-focused activity for local government and companies in Minnesota and Florida, earning GISP and CFM certifications along the way. His early experience with EOR, a water and natural resources engineering firm in Oakdale, MN, introduced him to environmental principles that directed his later efforts in the GIS industry. He has held GIS positions at Carver County, MN, Saint Johns County, FL, and at Taylor Engineering in Jacksonville, FL, where he was part of a team subcontracted to cooperatively provide riverine and coastal flood-related GIS products and services for local governments and agencies around the southeastern U.S. Andrew has additional experience working in lumber yards and bait shops, as well as waiting tables, cutting grass, and once worked an unforgettable 10-day stint as a VIP chauffeur during Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, during which one VIP client was so impressed with his driving in traffic and snow, and ability to ‘be there’ waiting amidst the chaos, that they tipped him a ticket to the game! His other interests include golfing, cycling, traveling, beach bumming, photography, genealogy, and sports/gaming collectibles.

Valerie Robeson

Valerie transitioned to GSS in 2023 from a career in higher education where she taught and created curriculum for undergraduate (social sciences) and graduate (GIS) students. She considers it a real treat to continue working with and learning from former students in the GSS apprenticeship program! As a continuing member of the university Institutional Review Board she contributes expertise in ethical research design. Valerie is excited to add work with geographic coordinates to her portfolio because spatial data is a powerful way to weave evidence and wonder into stories about places and people. Stories are a profound means to awaken each other, to nurture curiosity, and to empower us encounter each other with full attention. Away from GSS, you will find Valerie getting regular doses of "dirt therapy" (gardening, hiking) and doing the messy work of humaning with eyes wide open and (when weather allows) the top off the Jeep.

Katie Grover 

Katie grew up on the outskirts of Winona and graduated from UW-La Crosse with a degree in GIS and Public Administration. With a deep-rooted passion for the environment, she has a particular fascination in the intricate relationship between urbanization and ecological systems. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the local bluffs, taking road trips, and playing with her two cats.

 Jessica Sherlock

Jess is originally from Stillwater, MN and currently calls the Driftless area of southeast Minnesota home. After working in the mortgage industry for the past 14 years, she is ready for a new professional adventure. When not working, Jess is planning her next travel trip, neglecting her vegetable garden, buying second-hand books, and raising three young boys.

Isabelle Ostrem

Isabelle started at GSS in September of 2019 while pursuing a B.A. in Environmental Biology at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Having graduated in December of 2022, she now spends her time mapping wetlands across the western United States. Isabelle has, almost exclusively, specialized in the mapping of the New Mexico region during her career here at GSS. She primarily focuses on image interpretation, the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) classification of wetlands, and verifying the quality of the data in the region. Outside of the office she loves to spend time exploring national parks across North America and hopes to complete her remaining US parks within the next 10 years. Her other hobbies include kayaking, doodling, searching for small mammals, hiking, and reading.

 Morgan Polodna

Morgan grew up in Winona, MN, and graduated from Winona State University in the spring of 2023. She double majored in Ecology and Environmental Science. In her free time, Morgan enjoys reading, baking, cycling, and spending quality time with her family.

Isabelle McNeill

Isabelle started working at GSS as a student in May of 2022. She recently graduated from Winona State University with a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology and Environmental Science, with an interest in crop genomics. Outside of work, Isabelle enjoy beings outdoors. She spends her winter snowboarding and indoor climbing and in the summer enjoys tubing down the Root River, fishing, and hiking.

 Tyler Holmen

Tyler started out at GSS as a student worker in June of 2022. He completed his Bachelor's Degree in Geoscience-Environmental Science at Winona State University in spring 2023 and took an internship with Rio Grande Return over the summer. He returned to GSS as a GIS Technician in August 2023. In his free time, Tyler enjoys many outdoor activities such as: golf, fishing, hunting, rock climbing, hiking, snowmobiling, snowboarding, hockey, and ice fishing. Other than hanging out outdoors, he enjoys cooking and conversing with friends and family, as well as watching sports.

Abbie Perlinger

Abbie graduated from Winona State University in 2023 with a double major in Environmental Science and Ecology. She eventually plans to go to grad school for Marine Biology. Her goal is to work with sharks and participate in marine exploration.

Laney Ruehmann

Laney grew up in Cochrane, WI, and graduated from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in the spring of 2023. She double majored in Geography and American Indian Studies with a certificate in Anthropology. During her time at school, she was able to be part of research projects that looked at deep learning models and utilizing UAVs for crop water stress. In her free time, Laney enjoys riding motorcycle, reading, camping, and playing with her dog, Huckleberry.

 Andrew Smith

Andrew is originally from northwest Wisconsin and he earned a B.S. in GIS and B.A. in Geology from the University of Minnesota Duluth. During this time he completed several internships as a GIS technician on state and city government projects, along with a summer working in precision agriculture. He began working with Saint Mary’s GSS full time in late 2023, and is also pursuing an M.S. in Data Intelligence and GeoAnalytics with the university. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, reading, and playing both board and video games.

 Larissa Kramer

Larissa is a full time student at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She will graduate with a Bachelor’s in Languages with a focus on Japanese and a minor in Alaska Native Studies at the end of the Spring 2024 semester. She lives in Anchorage, Alaska and spends her summers hiking, exploring, longboarding, and fishing and her winters playing video games with her friends.

 Jack Broaders

Jack is from Chicago, Illinois and graduated from SMUMN in 2023. He majored in Literature with a Writing Emphasis with a minor in Biology, and hopes to pursue a career in technical writing and/or authorship. In his free time, Jack enjoys reading, writing, hikes, and playing board games.

Evan Thiss

Evan recently graduated from SMUMN with a degree in Environmental Biology. He is originally from Lanesboro, Minnesota, and enjoys engaging with all forms of life from insects to reptiles. Working in sustainability or with the environment are his major career goals and he hopes to leave the world a little bit better than how he found it. Outside of work, it would not be uncommon to see him hanging out with friends and playing tabletop roleplaying games such as Dungeons & Dragons.

Ben Moonen

Ben is from Sturgeon Lake MN, and recently graduated from Winona State University with a major in Ecology and a minor in GIS. He moved down to Winona with his wife three years ago. When not at work, he enjoys hunting, fishing, running and woodworking.