Mark Reichardt's blog

Friday the 14th February 2020 was my last day with OGC as an employee, completing a transition plan that I initiated in March 2018 when I notified the OGC Board of Directors of my intent to retire. Going forward, I plan to provide my support to the Consortium on occasion as a consultant to address specific OGC mission topics. I will also remain connected with the geospatial community through my involvement in activities such as the US National Geospatial Advisory Committee. I am also looking forward to spending much more time with family and the pursuit of a few new opportunities - including helping build computers for the less forunate, as well as good amount of fishing and time spent enjoying the Atlantic coast.

The 9th session of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) was held at the UN headquarters in New York on the 7th-9th of August. ISO/TC 211, the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC), and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) participate jointly as Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) supporting the Committee. Led by United Nations Member States, UN-GGIM aims to address global challenges regarding the use of geospatial information. Much focus is now on developing an Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF) that Member States can use to develop and enhance their own geospatial management, capabilities, and programs.

2018 was another productive year for OGC, as well as a year of adaptation to a rapidly changing global location information and technology marketplace. I am writing to share with you a few of our major accomplishments in 2018.

After almost 18 years with OGC, 14 years as President, I plan to transition to part-time work with OGC early next year. In my new capacity, I will focus on strategic opportunity development in the areas of membership value and growth, and the advancement of key programs and initiatives in support of OGC’s technology and marketplace priorities.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as OGC’s President and CEO, and I am honored to have been able to serve the geospatial and standards communities in this capacity. This transition is something that I have carefully considered for some time, and I believe that it is time for new leadership to help take OGC to the next step in its evolution.

2017 was an exciting year for OGC, welcoming our first Community Standards, as well as successful initiatives related to some of the geospatial industry's biggest growth areas.

As we transition into the 2017 New Year, I thank OGC members for their continuing contributions to improve location information sharing and interoperability.

Recent guest blog for the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) by our CEO Mark Reichardt

As we enter the New Year, I want to take this opportunity to summarize some of the accomplishments of the Consortium over the past 12 months, and to provide you with insight into some of the activities envisioned or already underway for 2016. 

2015 proved to be a productive year for the OGC. OGC members advanced a range of new and revised standards and associated best practices of value to the community. Accomplishments include: