About SDR

Spatial Data Research is a Geospatial consulting firm. We build detailed GIS databases for a variety of needs including 9-1-1 dispatch, environmental protection, transportation planning, and utility asset management. Utilization of GPS with field validation for all GIS data, ensuring accurate and complete information for analysis, is central to SDR's services.

SDR opened its doors in 1993 with E-911 mapping/addressing jobs in Texas and Missouri. Since then, we've broadened our scope to include a full range of GIS services, programming and consulting and have served hundreds of county governments, municipalities and private clients across the United States. SDR is committed to a service-oriented philosophy and to staying at the cutting edge of GIS technology. SDR is a licensed business partner of Trimble and ESRI.

In 1995, SDR was the first to incorporate GPS into E-911 mapping and data collection, and has worked with GPS leaders to further integrate GIS and GPS. In 1996, SDR participated in the Wireless Integration Project (WIP) as the GIS/GPS consultant. The WIP proved that cellular 9-1-1 calls could be automatically located on a map and was the technological foundation for the FCC's cellular and wireless communications standards. Since 1998, SDR has been the primary 9-1-1 mapping and addressing vendor for the State of New Mexico. In 2002, SDR became the sole vendor and is today assisting the State with all aspects of 9-1-1 database creation, maintenance, and wireless call mapping. This support extends to all Indian reservations and Pueblos in the State.

Whether we are working for a rural Arkansas county government seeking to bring Enhanced 9-1-1 services to its citizens or a large metropolitan transportation service offering bus and light rail service to two states or a State 911 Advisory Commission, SDR offers professional service, proven solutions and timely implementations. For more information, contact SDR at info@sdrmaps.com.

Leadership

Robert Robert D. Morris
President & Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Morris is President & CEO and an owner of Spatial Data Research. He brings more than 25 years experience in the geomatics/geospatial industry to SDR. His most recent role was President & CEO of ERDAS, Inc., which represented the Geospatial Imaging Division of the Hexagon/Leica Geosystems group of companies. During his tenure in this position, Mr. Morris was responsible for directing the development and delivery of Leica’s market leading airborne sensors, photogrammetric and remote sensing applications and geospatial enterprise software solutions. Additionally, Mr. Morris brings to SDR extensive experience in developing new businesses and product lines as well as his broad knowledge of the global geospatial industry and markets.

He started his career in forestry where he worked in various technical production and engineering roles. He continued his career in the private surveying and civil engineering sector until 1989, when he moved into product development for surveying, mapping and GIS solutions. Mr. Morris has held various senior positions in development, marketing and management with leading industry manufacturers including Trimble, Sokkia, Point and Leica Geosystems. Mr. Morris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Humboldt State University, Arcata, California.

Susan M. Cunningham
Vice-President - Sales & Marketing

Ms. Cunningham is Vice President and an owner of Spatial Data Research. At SDR she has served in almost every capacity within the organization including business development, software design and in the consulting and technical production areas. She has served as project manager and technical consultant on more than 100 municipal, county and state E9-1-1 projects. Currently, Ms. Cunningham serves as SDR's lead consultant to the State of New Mexico's E9-1-1 program and manages business in several other states, helping clients prepare for the GIS and database demands of Next Generation 9-1-1. Ms. Cunningham holds a BA, BJ and an MA from the University of Missouri, Columbia. She is a member of NENA and APCO and frequently attends E9-1-1 and GIS seminars and trainings to stay at the forefront of developments in the industry.

Keith Keith W. Cunningham, PhD,
Vice President & Chief Technology Officer

Mr. Cunningham is Vice President & CTO and an owner of Spatial Data Research. Since 1986, Mr. Cunningham has provided 911/GIS/GPS consulting on more than 200 projects. Prior to founding SDR in 1993, he served five years as a 9-1-1 GIS consultant for GTE, and before that, as a Geographer with the Census Bureau.
His PhD is in Geography with an emphasis in automated feature extraction from imagery using artificial neural networks. While at the University of Kansas, he helped teach graduate seminars in GIS and GPS. He is currently also a researcher with the University of Alaska developing digital elevation modeling technology using synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Mr. Cunningham maintains his industry credentials with articles, classes, and editorial work for 9-1-1, photogrammetry, GPS, LiDAR, and elevation modeling.

Brian Welde
Director Professional Services

Mr. Welde is a geospatial integration specialist with 12 years of experience designing, implementing, and managing a wide variety of geospatial solutions for a broad range of customers. His support runs from Department of Defense (DoD) policy formulation and geospatial program building (architectures, people, policy, processes) to county government spatial data development and application design. He is adept at leveraging and maximizing customer’s resources to re-engineer critical geospatial business processes. Brian helps customers develop data models and modernize their work flows to more effectively and efficiently integrate geospatial information into their operations.

Mr. Welde has a Master of Arts in Geography degree from the University of Missouri and is a certified Project Management Professional. He began his career at SDR in 1999 with field data collection and 9-1-1 addressing projects before leaving SDR in 2001 to build enterprise geospatial solutions for the U.S. Air Force. After 10 years supporting the geospatial consulting needs of the DoD and Federal Government Agencies, Mr. Welde returned to SDR to lead the Professional Services Group.

Mike D'Atillio Mike D’Atillio
Director Product Development

Mr. D’Atillio holds a BA degree in Mathematics and Engineering and an MA degree in Geography from the University of Kansas. His Masters emphasis was in GIS analytic modeling and artificial neural networks for GIS database construction. Mr. D’Atillio has extensive experience in building custom solutions for utilities and government agencies using multiple programming environments and is SDR’s primary database manager. Mr. D’Atillio was the primary developer for SDR’s Go2It, a product designed to help public safety officials locate house addresses, road intersections, and latitude/longitude positions.

Mr. D’Atillio directs SDR’s product development group and serves as the lead developer. He provides custom GIS/GPS programming and develops special database applications for video imaging, GPS data collection, and telecommunications. He also has a strong background and continuing work in GIS applications for electric utilities. Mr. D’Atillio’s notable 9-1-1 projects include wireless call applications and developing custom ALI databases including systems for “private-switch ALI.” He has also provided GIS/GPS integration support video appraisal systems, working on the Nation’s largest GIS datasets and parcel mapping systems.

Prior to joining SDR in 1998, Mr. D’Atillio developed GIS for war-game simulations at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.

Bruce Balke
Director Finance & Operations

Mr. Balke joined SDR in 2002 and serves as Director of Finance and Operations. Mr. Balke holds a BS degree in Business Administration from Central Missouri State University and maintains his qualifications as a CPA.

Mr. Balke oversees corporate financial management for the company. Additional responsibilities include financial planning and analysis, financial modeling, and various operational reporting and analysis. Mr. Balke also handles the general business operations for SDR.

Mr. Balke started his career in the public sector as a tax auditor and manager for the Missouri Department of Revenue. He then moved into the private sector where he has held a number of senior financial positions with companies specializing in application software development and services for the telecommunications industry.