Spatial Data Research is a GIS and GPS 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. GPS and field validation of 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 more than 100 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 of 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, 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.

Steed Bell is the President of Spatial Data Research and is responsible for the strategic direction and performance of the company.

Steed joined SDR in 2004 to help SDR better serve it’s customers through the provision of high quality services and products. His 20 years of experience includes executive management, operations, professional project management, sales, and purchasing for both start-up and established businesses in information security, technical sales, and retail environments. Steed is a Derby, Kansas native and a graduate of Wichita State University.

Before joining SDR, Steed served as the President of Secure Network Group, Inc. of Lawrence, Kansas, an information security services firm. Before serving as the company’s President, he was Director then Vice President of Operations. As President, he led the company through a successful acquisition by RedSiren, Inc. of Pittsburgh, PA and continued with RedSiren as the Director of Midwest Sales.

Steed’s strong team leadership, technical expertise, and interpersonal management style continue to have a positive effect on SDR’s business allowing us to offer innovative solutions to our clients’ E9-1-1, mapping and GIS needs.

Susan Cunningham is the principle owner of Spatial Data Research and serves as Vice President. Susan began her career in E9-1-1 and GIS with the incorporation of SDR in 1993 and has since served in almost every capacity within the organization including Business Development, Software Design and most importantly 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 and GIS for E9-1-1 projects and has produced critical E9-1-1/GIS technical and process documentation, white papers, and manuals. She developed and helps to organize yearly and semiannual E9-1-1/GIS training sessions in New Mexico for 200 Addressors, GIS Providers and E9-1-1 personnel. Currently, Susan serves as SDR's technical/E9-1-1 consultant to the State of New Mexico's E9-1-1 program and manages key projects in several other states, helping to implement Enhanced 9-1-1, Wireless 9-1-1 and GIS creation and integration for E9-1-1.

Susan 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.  Susan is a native of St. Louis and lives and works in the St. Louis area.

Mike Richey is the Vice President of Operations for Spatial Data Research, Inc. and is responsible for the overall performance of the technical operation of the company.

Mike joined SDR in February, 2008 to help provide better services and products to our customers through the efficient operation of our professional services, project management, and product development departments. Mike possesses more than 20 years of experience planning and implementing CAD and GIS projects. His experience includes developing GIS software applications, managing technical teams, and leading mapping operations for US government agencies as well as private sector companies in the US and abroad. Mike is a graduate of the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, CA and holds a B.S. degree in Design Engineering Technology from Brigham Young in Provo, UT.

Before joining SDR, Mike was the GIS Manager for the Transportation Group, Road & Highway Division of the Parsons Corporation in Pasadena, CA. Prior to that he served as the Principal GIS Specialist for Buildings, Health & Education (BHE) in Iraq.

Mike’s hands-on leadership and technical knowledge will have a positive impact on the level of service SDR is able to provide to our customers and we are excited to have him onboard.

Keith founded SDR in 1993. Before launching SDR, Keith spent five years as a consultant to GTE where he managed 30 large GIS implementations and designed GIS software for emergency services.  Before that, Keith worked at the Census Bureau building the TIGER Line Files.

Keith holds a doctorate degree in Geography with an emphasis in artificial intelligence for GIS. While at the University of Kansas, he helped teach graduate seminars in advanced GIS, Urban GIS, and GPS for GIS. 

Today Keith is active in the research and development of visualization software for LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).  This employs his academic background with artificial neural networks and feature extraction using cognitive models.  He continues to develop his academic credentials with numerous technical articles, classes, and editorial work on photogrammetry, LiDAR, GPS, and CAMA.