The CGIA Community Forum presentation on Overture Maps happened on July 7, 2026. As promised, the slides, notes, and recording are now available.
Link to the slides: https://cgia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SLIDES_CGIA-Community-Forum_-Overture-Maps_20260707.pdf
Link to the notes: https://cgia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/NOTES_OvertureMaps_CGIACommunityForum_20260707.pdf
The video is posted on our YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/n_pBhpczIoo?si=XMxFMnNf-_GpKKYH
The CGIA Community Forum has long been focused on the status of California's Spatial Data Infrastructure. For this Forum, we invited you to learn about Overture Maps and the Overture Maps Foundation, which, according their website, is "A platform for bringing together tech companies, mapping organizations, government agencies, open data communities, and researchers to build open, reliable, and interoperable map data infrastructure."
The featured speakers were Will Mortenson, Ryan Lopez, and Steven Moore:
Will Mortenson is the Executive Director of the Overture Maps Foundation and a transformational leader with over 25 years of experience driving innovation across federal, military, and geospatial organizations. Prior to joining Overture, he served as Director of the Office of Geography at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), where he led modernization efforts powered by AI, machine learning, and emerging technologies. Will has consistently turned strategic vision into operational results, leading automation initiatives, strengthening workforce capabilities, and building cross-sector partnerships. His previous roles include Senior GEOINT Authority for Human Geography and Cartography, Deputy Director of NGA’s Office of Geography, and Director of the Joint PED Operations Center at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He holds a Doctor of Organizational Leadership, a Master of Strategic Studies, and a Master of Criminal Justice, and is known for aligning people, processes, and technology to deliver lasting organizational impact.
Ryan Lopez is a seasoned GIS professional leading Fresno County Department of Public Works & Planning’s geospatial initiatives, where he oversees data strategy, integration, and innovative mapping solutions. With over a decade of experience in public-sector GIS, Ryan Lopez has championed open-data collaborations that enhance transparency and community engagement. He played a key role in forging Fresno County’s partnership with the Overture Maps Foundation, developing workflows that ensure data accuracy and interoperability. Ryan Lopez is passionate about harnessing geospatial technology to drive innovation, streamline government services, and empower broader access to reliable mapping data.
Steven Moore is a GIS Engineer working on Esri's Living Atlas team. He has been with Esri since 2012 and for the last several years has focused on creating Open Data content products for ArcGIS Users.