News
Recognizing the Service of Our Public Partners
Since 1985, Public Service Recognition Week has been observed during the first week of May. The week is dedicated to recognizing the people who serve our nation as federal, state, county, local, and tribal government employees. Our team has been fortunate to regularly work alongside public agency staff. Over the past year, we have admired…
Eric Sack, GISPFLO President Becomes an Admin for a Day
On Friday, April 16, 2021, I had the opportunity to work as an administrative teammate. I was told to be on-site in our Portland office at 8:00 a.m., bring a mask, and remember social distancing requirements. I decided to get to the office a little early so I could get set up, but when I…
Steven P. TaylorDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion at FLO: Progress and Future Plans
In 2019, FLO launched a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative. Three core values guide DEI at FLO: Everyone deserves a safe, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We can better serve the communities where we work by increasing the diversity and cultural competence of our firm. We must work to resist and reverse systemic racism within our firm,…
Jennifer KingRedistricting for Local Governments: What You Need to Know
When people think about redistricting, the first thing that comes to mind is usually congressional districts. However, many local government agencies are also required to reapportion their voting districts every ten years. Due to challenges with the latest census, this year’s data release has been delayed until September. Unfortunately, this delay could mean that local…
John McKenzieResults for "2018"
Two new experienced GIS professionals have joined the FLO team—Elliot Frank and Jenny Elstrott. Elliot comes to us from the Big Apple, where he worked as a GIS aide at the New York City of Transportation, honing his skills in spatial...
Leora WernerWhere are you from and where do you live now? I’m originally from New Zealand, and now I live in Seattle, Washington. What do you do at FLO? I manage a number of Local Government and Utilities Sector projects, including those we...
Leora WernerCongratulations to Rachel Roberts, who was recently promoted to GIS Technician 2! Clients and FLO team members alike recognize Rachel’s commitment to excellence in her work, keen analytical perspective, and an ability to calmly juggle a host...
Jenny AxelrodAttendance area boundary updates are just like a "giant sudoku puzzle" as one Bend-La Pine Schools boundary update committee member recently put it. I couldn't agree more. Boundary updates are also complex, lengthy, and can be quite...
Tyler VickAt the Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) Conference, senior GIS analysts Grant Herbert and Ruth McColly will be presenting on the nuts and bolts of GIS technology, its ability to manage assets, and considerations for...
Leora WernerThe Association of Washington Cities (AWC) and FLO partner to run the GIS Consortium, an AWC program that helps Washington cities and non-city entities (conservation districts, utility districts, and more) implement or improve the use of GIS....
Grant Herbert, GISPExtreme summer heat, mega forest fires, super storms and flooding—global climate change is already having a significant impact on communities and the environment across the United States, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. How...
Jenny AxelrodIn 2016, FLO joined a multidisciplinary team tasked with evaluating Pierce County’s existing land use policy for designating agricultural resource lands (ARL)—lands that “have long-term significance for the commercial production of food...
Jenny AxelrodCongratulations to North Clackamas School District on the new boundaries! It’s another boundary review success! After many months of hard work on the part of District staff and community members, the North Clackamas School Board approved new...
Jenny AxelrodThe Association of Washington Cities (AWC) and FLO partner to run the GIS Consortium, an AWC program that helps Washington cities and non-city entities (conservation districts, utility districts, and more) implement or improve GIS for their...
Ruth McColly, GISPWe are excited to welcome a new senior GIS analyst to our growing team! Ruth McColly comes to us with 12 years of professional GIS experience, both as a consultant and as an in-house GIS expert. Ruth’s extensive capabilities include...
Leora WernerThe 26th Annual GIS In Action Conference, hosted by the Columbia River Region of the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) and the Oregon-Southwest Washington Chapter of the Urban and Regional Information Systems...
Leora WernerGeographic Information Systems (GIS) provide local government with tools to improve the lives of citizens through increasing internal efficiency, boosting citizen engagement, and improving the delivery of services. But when it comes to...
Grant Herbert, GISPAt some point during the year, most school districts will fall into one of these three areas: Thinking about planning a bond measure Attempting to pass a bond Trying make the most of the bond they just passed No matter which...
Tyler Vick