2002 Individual Achievement Award

Woolpert LLP business developer and IMAGIN member, James A. Living, CP, recently received IMAGIN's first ever Outstanding Individual Achievement Award at the 11^th Annual IMAGIN Conference. The Outstanding Individual Achievement Award is given to an IMAGIN member, in recognition of career-long dedication and commitment to the organization, it's geospatial professionals, colleagues, members and the public that it serves.

From left: Brad Fugate (Woolpert), Sharon Vanderbout (Kent County GIS Coordinator and IMAGIN Board Member), and Jim Living (Woolpert - award recipient)

"I'm honored to be the recipient of such an award," Living stated. "I'm privileged to be a part of the IMAGIN organization and the ideals it represents," he explained when he accepted his plaque at the Tuesday night April 30, 2002, award ceremony. In front of a crowd of nearly 300 people, Brad Fugate, Woolpert Photogrammetry Project Director and Living scholar for nearly 20 years, gave a PowerPoint presentation summarizing Living's career GIS accomplishments.

Living began his career in 1957 when he went to work for Spartan Air Service in Ottawa, Ontario, flying WWII Mosquitoes - fighter-bombers converted for aerial photo reconnaissance. During his six-year tenure at Spartan, he flew international photo missions, spending summers in the Arctic Circle and winters in South America.

In 1963, Living accepted a position with Abrams Aerial Survey in Lansing. Over the years, he participated in hundreds of mapping projects, logging thousands of air miles around the U.S. before moving into sales in 1972. With his outgoing personality and knowledge of aerial photography, he adapted to the new position very well. Living's honesty and eagerness to assist was quickly recognized by clients, making him a leading salesperson and very much in demand.

In 1983, Living accepted an offer to join Woolpert and lead its sales/marketing operations from Holt. He has been serving as Woolpert's Photogrammetry's Business Developer ever since. His career spans the technological leap from the days of analog plotters through the introduction of analytical equipment to the newest ventures in light detection and ranging (LiDAR). Living was integral in establishing Woolpert's Okemos office in 2001 and he continues to be a valuable resource for providing services to local and state government, education, and private sector clients.

Jim Living and Wife Carole.

Woolpert award ceremony attendees (left to right): Chris Mannix, Dan Paulsen, Tom Mochty, Jeff Lovin, Savo Slijepcevic, Larry Christenson, Brad Fugate, and John Przybyla.

During the ceremony, it was announced that the Jim Living (Lifetime Achievement) Award has been established, in a partnership between IMAGIN and long-time sponsor Woolpert LLP. Beginning in 2003, and continuing on an annual basis thereafter, the Jim Living (Lifetime Achievement) Award will be given to an IMAGIN member, in recognition of career-long dedication and commitment to the IMAGIN organization, the geospatial professionals, colleagues, members and the public that it serves. Award winners will receive a plaque. Woolpert LLP has endowed a scholarship in Jim Living's name, which will also be awarded to a student who has begun an outstanding academic career in the Geospatial Sciences and in the IMAGIN Organization. Woolpert, LLP is sponsoring the Jim Living (Lifetime Achievement) Award and Scholarship for the next five years.