David Schell

Mr. Schell began his career as a systems analyst for IBM Corp., and subsequently managed technical support and documentation efforts for Honeywell Information Systems and the Data General Corp. In the early 80's, he participated in founding one of the first UNIX-based workstation companies, Cadmus Computer Systems, where he directed marketing operations and the development of a comprehensive library of third party software offerings. He went on to manage third party business development operations for Masscomp (later Concurrent Computer Corporation), where he focused on Measurement & Control, Signal Processing, Remote Sensing and geospatial technology markets. In 1990, Mr. Schell joined Okidata Microsystems, a division of Oki America, where he directed development of advanced Document Image Management (DIM) systems and related DIM and Geoprocessing market development for Oki Electric's U.S.-based workstation imaging operation.

From 1985 to 1992, Mr. Schell worked extensively with the US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USACERL) on commercialization of its GIS product, the "Geographical Resources and Analysis Support System" (GRASS). During this period, Mr. Schell worked closely with the both public and private sector members of the GRASS-GIS users community to implement effective technology transfer in support of computer marketing and open-systems business development programs. In 1991, he was elected to represent the private sector on the board of the GRASS-GIS Users Organization, a non-profit corporation founded to provide community support and technology transfer services for public sector GIS software.

In 1993, Mr. Schell reorganized the GRASS-GIS User Organization to become the OpenGIS Foundation (OGF), expanding its scope to include the promotion of open system technologies for geoprocessing, and implementing a commercial membership program to support public-private sector collaboration for the development of interoperable geoprocessing. During the following year, with the support from both public and private sector organizations, Mr. Schell led the effort to define the OpenGIS Project, and founded the Open GIS Consortium to develop the community participation and resources needed to evolve "OpenGIS" into a global standard for interoperable geoprocessing. Mr. Schell currently serves as President & CEO of the Open GIS Consortium, and Executive Director of the OpenGIS Project. In October of 2002, CIO Magazine presented Mr. Schell with a Vision 20/20 award as a "visionary creator/seller of technology."