[gpl_list] FW: John Waffenschmidt retirement!

[SMITH Cy * DAS]

Hi folks, I wanted to pass this announcement along.  John was a member of OGIC for several years, part of the stakeholder group that put together the OGIC statute a few years ago, and a long time part of the geospatial community in Oregon.  I know many of you know him and worked with him.

cy


Cy Smith, GISP
Enterprise Information Services
Data Governance and Transparency|Geospatial Enterprise Office
(503)378-6066, http://gis.oregon.gov 
“Ensuring user-friendly, reliable and secure state technology systems that serve Oregonians.”


-----Original Message-----
From: Eli Adam <eadam at co.lincoln.or.us> 
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 3:33 PM
To: Eli L Adam <eadam at co.lincoln.or.us>; John Waffenschmidt <honekiri at gmail.com>
Subject: John Waffenschmidt retirement!

Hi all,

After 30+ years at Lincoln County as County Surveyor, IT Director, GIS Manager, Deputy County Surveyor, and everything in between, John is retiring!  Our current times and situation don't allow for a large in-person gathering like would usually be appropriate (look for that next year), so we're trying something else - sort of a digital storytelling and reminiscence.  Please send me and/or John your stories and recollections, these stories and recollections can come in any format that works for you (email, photos, video, voice recording, etc).  If you want them widely shared, please let me know and I'll send them out to everyone.  If you don't ask for them to be shared widely, I'll just pass them along to John. John can be reached via email at honekiri at gmail.com.

John has worked with many people in different realms over the years and I don't have all of their contact info so please pass this on to anyone who you think might be interested.

Best regards, Eli




P.S. To start the stories, I'll share just a short one here about the influence John has had on me and my career.  Fourteen years ago, when I first started working for Lincoln County as a GIS Analyst it was interesting and unusual for a GIS program to be run by a licensed land surveyor.  In the first week, John mentioned I could potentially have land surveying and licensure as a growth opportunity.  At the time, I thought nothing of it but through working on projects and learning more from John on the surveying side my interest was sparked and my eyes opened to what was available on the surveying side!  14 years ago, I did not even consider working in surveying, I certainly didn't think that I would be licensed but through John and Eathan's mentorship, I've come a long way to be licensed and work in surveying.
John taught me more than surveying, he also taught me history, the many roles of different departments and offices at the County, and about the natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities here.
I'm grateful for all the enjoyable work, interesting challenges, and opportunities from working together.  It has been a joy and honor to work for John.


--
Eli L Adam, PLS
Lincoln County Surveyor's Office
880 NE 7th Street | Newport, OR 97365
eadam at co.lincoln.or.us | 541-574-1289