2025 Fall NYGeoCon
2025 NYGeoCon
NYS GIS Association Annual Meeting
Meeting Minutes
NYS GIS Association Annual Awards Presentations
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the profession
Lucius Willis
Binghamton University
Originally from Indiana, Lucius Willis began his career in Binghamton University’s Geography Department after receiving his Master’s degree from the same institution in 1984. After 41 years of dedicated service, he has retired.
His role in the department has evolved over the years along with the technology. He initially ushered in “digital mapping” within the department with use of punch card systems and large format digitizers. As the technology moved towards personal computing in the 1990’s, he managed the department computer labs and began teaching GIS. He taught using a range of ever-changing GIS platforms including the ESRI suite of software (ArcInfo, ArcView, ArcMap, ArcGIS Online), MapInfo, Open-Source GIS such as Q/GRASS, and remote sensing specific software such as ERDAS and Idrisi. He helped to shape the lives of thousands of students over the years through his engaging teaching methods. Countless students have been transformed into GIS professionals through his mentorship. Luke’s presence in the department was felt strongly as he was liked and admired by everyone. An example of his leadership includes inviting international graduate students into his home as they navigated assimilating into our country. Luke has also shared his GIS knowledge and been involved in many projects in the community throughout his tenure such as working with the Food Bank, CHOW, local planning departments, and many more.
Luke has been a leader in our field for over four decades and is very deserving of recognition.
Michelle Debyah
Town of Pittsford
Michelle was appointed as Secretary of the NYS GIS Association in 2013 and has dedicated her time and expertise to the Association every day since. She brought many years of experience to the NYS GIS Association Board after serving as Secretary of the Genesee/Finger Lakes Region GIS/SIG. From detailed minutes and website posts to Mailchimp emails, PO Box set up, and everything in between, Michelle has truly gone above and beyond in keeping the Association running behind the scenes. She has directly impacted every single member of the NYS GIS Association, not only by carrying forward the institutional knowledge of the founding of the Association, but by making sure that everyone’s attendance and participation credits are correctly recorded in our membership database. Unlike the Board of Directors, the Secretary does not have a term limit, thus making Michelle mission critical to the operations of the Board each year. She has done an incredible job documenting processes and procedures to ensure we continue to run smoothly as she transitions into a new role with the Communications Committee.
Michelle not only works hard to make our state GIS community a better place but also works to improve the Town of Pittsford community in her role as GIS Analyst. The Association could not be what it is today without the dedicated efforts of Michelle Debyah, and we thank her for her immeasurable contributions over the years.
Individual Contribution to the Profession Award
This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the profession over the past year.
Tal Litwin
Office of the Brooklyn Borough President
Tal Litwin created and designed a series of maps for Brooklyn’s first Comprehensive Plan in 2025. The maps are based around Brooklyn constituents access to opportunity; transit, jobs, education, etc. The work behind the maps themselves included data analysis of various datasets both from NYS and NYC, combining correlated data at the census block level.
Outstanding Achievement in Geospatial Communications
Caitlin Jessop-Humphris
Caitlin initially came to us as a member of the Communications Committee to assist with our graphics and social media, and she quickly distinguished herself in both areas. She recreated a high-resolution version of our logo and came up with inspired designs for our new banners and t-shirts, imbuing both with a visually striking cartographic aesthetic, and followed through on getting both printed and delivered. She combined her graphical skills with social media savvy to create engaging, stylish Instagram and Facebook posts, and coordinated their posting with our members maintaining our other social media platforms. As she grew within the Association, she was a natural choice for the role of Co-Chair of the Communications Committee. She continued to provide her graphical insight and social media expertise, while taking on new responsibilities in coordinating work across the Communications Committee, managing our email distribution, and making website updates. She further contributed by serving as a photographer for both GeoCon and the GeoSpatial Summit, providing us with numerous professional quality photos. Caitlin really stepped up to bring the Association’s brand into the modern age. Throughout all of her time with us Caitlin was always responsive, upbeat, and eager to help, and she dedicated countless hours to any task she was asked to take on with enthusiasm and professionalism. Her contributions were invaluable to the Association and its mission, and she has more than earned the distinction of Outstanding Achievement in Geospatial Communications.