Tampa, Fla., April 28, 2006—The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) announced today that C. Warren Ferguson of Kerrville, Texas, has been given GITA's 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes an individual’s outstanding contributions and long-standing commitment to the geospatial industry. The presentation was made at GITA’s Annual Conference 29, April 23-26, 2006, at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla.

As the son of a map company owner, Warren Ferguson learned the value of location very early on. Through his belief in that value over the past 44 years, he founded, bought, or joined a number of geospatial businesses—local and global. Warren practiced what came to be known as Ferguson’s "Five Fs" for growing a business—fast, focused, flexible, fluid, and fun—and taught those principles to the talented and dedicated employees he hired.

An active member of the geospatial community, Warren knew participation in user groups and technical and professional organizations strengthened him, and he encouraged his employees to get involved, too.

Warren's career has covered the geospatial spectrum—from electro-optical sensors and systems, map publishing and retail map stores, commercial printing, data conversion, consulting, and GIS and application software and services, to GIS implementation services and precision indoor location systems. The long list of companies on Warren's résumé include Texas Instruments, Ferguson Map Company, Ultragraphics, Ferguson Cartotech and Cantex, Praha Data Conversion, Plangraphics, Smallworld and General Electric, and TenSails/Ubisense.

Throughout his career, Warren achieved great success through his belief  in the value of location and his use and development of technology that ultimately caused rapid growth in the geospatial industry.

Upon accepting the award, C. Warren Ferguson stated that "understanding the value of location, and being able to communicate it, is perhaps my greatest contribution to the geospatial community."