The National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC), a Federal Advisory committee authorized under the Geospatial Data Act of 2018 and sponsored by the Department of the Interior, provides advice and recommendations related to the management of Federal and national geospatial programs, the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), and implementation of the Geospatial Data Act (GDA) of 2018. The NSDI promotes geospatial data sharing across all levels of government, the private and non-profit sectors, and the academic community.
Last month, the Department of Interior announced appointment of 12 new members to the NGAC. Interior also announced appointment of a new Chair – Mr. Keith Masback, who previously served as the NGAC Vice Chair, Mr. Masback, currently serves on the board of directors and is the former Chief Executive Officer for the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation.
Sanjay Kumar, Secretary General & CEO of the World Geospatial Industry Council, is among the newly appointed members at NGAC. He said, “I am honoured to be appointed the NGAC. I have been associated with the global geospatial industry for over two decades now and this opportunity will help me represent the cross section of stakeholders, who I have been working with and provide them a holistic view of the geospatial community ecosystem.”
The NGAC includes up to 30 members, who are selected from varied interests associated with geospatial programs and technology, for a balanced representation. The NGAC provides a forum for reviews and comments on geospatial policy and management issues and also conveys views of representative members of non-federal stakeholders in the geospatial community.
The NGAC operates under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, enacted by Congress in 1972 to ensure that advice rendered to the executive branch by advisory committees, task forces, boards, and commissions formed by Congress and the President, be objective and accessible to the public. The USGS (US Geological Survey), a bureau of the Department of Interior, provides support services to NGAC.
Additional information about the NGAC, including a complete list of the committee members, is available at www.fgdc.gov/ngac. For more information, please contact at [email protected]