PRESENTER(S)
Sean E. Crager was named the Chief Technology Officer for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in February 2019.
Sean participates in the development and execution of the commonwealth’s information technology strategic plan. Sean has specialized in leading modernization efforts for the organizations he serves and has developed nationally recognized software that has been adopted and implemented by numerous states and universities.
Prior to this role, Sean served as the CIO of the Commonwealth of PA’s Conservation and Environment Delivery Center, CIO of the PA Department of Environmental Protection, CIO of Franklin County, PA, Assistant CIO of the PA Liquor Control Board, Director of Enterprise Strategic Technology Services of the PA Office of Administration, and CIO of the PA Department of Agriculture.
Sean graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Geoenvironmental Studies at Shippensburg University with a certificate in Geospatial Technologies and earned his Master Certificate in Information Systems and Technology Project Management from Villanova University. Sean is ITIL Foundations certified and earned his Certified Government Chief Information Officer qualification from Harrisburg University. Sean is a veteran of the United States Navy where he served honorably as an Operations Specialist (Fleet Marine Force) attached to Tactical Air Control Squadron Eleven in San Diego, CA.
Eric Jespersen has over 35 years of professional experience, including 25 years of leadership in coordinated GIS development in Pennsylvania. He has both participated in and led many and varied ground-breaking projects, starting with GPS applications in the early 1990’s, land tenure reform in El Salvador, nationwide GIS data accuracy assessments for the US Census Bureau, PAMAP Program promotion and development, and advocacy and involvement in the creation and development of the State Geospatial Coordinating Board in Pennsylvania. Eric is an avid student and researcher of civic boundaries in PA, and helped establish a Civic Boundary Working Group to improve data and practice. His other long-term project is the improvement of our surface water representation, replacing our current 2D stream layer with 3D elevation-derived hydrography; that effort included active engagement in securing lidar updates for the entire Commonwealth.