A landscape architect by training, Jack Dangermond founded Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) in 1969 with a vision that computer mapping and analysis could help us design a better future. Under Dangermond's leadership, that vision has continued to guide Esri in creating cutting-edge GIS and GeoDesign technologies used in every industry to make a difference worldwide.

Dangermond fostered the growth of Esri from a small research group to an organisation recognised as the world leader in GIS software development. Esri employs 2,700 people in the U.S.; many who shared his passion for GIS in the early days are still with the company and remain dedicated to helping our users be successful.

Education

• M.S., Landscape Architecture, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University, 1969
• M.S., Urban Planning, Institute of Technology, University of Minnesota, 1968
• B.S., Landscape Architecture, California Polytechnic College–Pomona, 1967

Honorary Doctorates

• University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 2008
• Loma Linda University, California, 2006
• University of Arizona, Tucson, 2006
• Technical University for Civil Engineering of Bucharest - Romania, 2005
• California Polytechnic University – Pomona, 2005
• State University of New York – Buffalo, 2005
• University of West Hungary, 2003
• City University of London, 2002
• University of Redlands, 1999
• Ferris State University, 1993

Selected Awards

• Alexander Graham Bell Medal, National Geographic Society, 2010
• Patron's Medal, Royal Geographical Society, 2010
• Public-Private Partnership Award, National Governors Association, 2009
• Carl Mannerfelt Medal, International Cartographic Association, 2008
• Outstanding Service Award, American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 2007
• Inductee, GIS Hall of Fame, Urban and Regional Information Systems Association, 2005
• Outstanding Service Award, American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing    (ASPRS), 2007
• Henry Shaw Medal, Missouri Botanical Garden, 2006
• Fellow of ITC, The Netherlands, 2004
• Distinguished Public Service Award for outstanding contributions to national and international affairs, U.S. Department of State, The Secretary's Open Forum, 2002
• LaGasse Medal for Excellence in the Management of Public Lands and Natural Resources in the Public Interest, American Society of Landscape Architects, 2000
• Brock Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievements in the Evolution of Spatial Information Sciences, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 2000
• Cullum Geographical Medal of Distinction for the advancement of geographical science, American Geographical Society, 1999
• EDUCAUSE Medal for developing outstanding, technology-based teaching and learning programs in geography, EDUCAUSE in partnership with the Association of American Geographers, 1999
• James R. Anderson Medal of Honor in Applied Geography, Association of American Geographers, 1998
• Ed Forrest Award for Excellence in Design/Construction Design Automation, A/E/C Systems International, 1997
• John Wesley Powell Award, U.S. Geological Survey, 1996

Professional Organisations

• National Geospatial Advisory Committee, NGAC
• National Geographic Education Foundation, NGS
• Earth System Science and Applications Advisory Committee, NASA
• Science and Technology Advisory Committee, NASA
• National Steering Committee, Task Force on National Digital Cartographic Standards
• Role, International Eurasian Academy of Sciences
• Executive Board, National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA)
• National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT)
• Information Impacts Committee, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Board of NCGIA—University of California at Santa Barbara
• National Science Foundation:  SBE Advisory Committee and AC-ERE Advisory Council
• Committee on Social Science Association (COSSA)
• Committee on Geography, National Academy of Science
• President's Engineering Advisory Council, University of California at Berkeley
• Editorial Advisory Board, GEO World
• Editorial Advisory Board, Geospatial Solutions