During the opening plenary session of the 2023 Washington GIS Conference, WAGISA was pleased to present the 2023 Summit Award for GIS Person of the Year to Maria Sevier. 

Maria has been absolutely dedicated to the GIS profession and WAURISA/ WAGISA for well over 20 years.  All those who know her are impressed with the energy and enthusiasm that she brings to every GIS effort she is involved in; whether she is developing curriculum to teach a certificate program at local community colleges, bringing GIS technology to a local food bank, working tirelessly during COVID at the Health Department, or volunteering with WAGISA in a variety of ways.  Maria has served on the Professional Development Committee, the Board of Directors, as the Conference Liaison, as Conference Coordinator, and most recently as organizer of WAGISA Conference Speakers for the 2023 Conference.  In all of these roles, Maria has worked tirelessly to make the WAGISA programs and Conferences successful. 

For a significant portion of Maria Sevier’s professional career she has worked as a GIS consultant, including with the City of Lakewood, WA and with the Tacoma/Pierce County Public Health department.  During that time Maria has completed many successful projects.  When COVID first arose, she developed a method to upload data from Tacoma / Pierce County to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.  Maria pours her whole heart and soul into everything she does.  And for all of us on the WAGISA Board we are pleased that she is receiving this award and recognition of all of her hard work and dedication. 

Thank you, Maria, for your many years of mentorship and volunteer service to the GIS community in Washington State.