We are excited to welcome Gabe Upchurch to the Paulding Putnam team! Gabe is stepping into the role of GIS Administrator and brings valuable experience in mapping and software.
Here's a fun Q&A with Gabe to help our members get to know the newest member of our Paulding Putnam family.
Tell us a bit about your family and where you're from.
"I grew up in North Carolina and lived there for 40 years. I attended UNC Wilmington on the coast of North Carolina, where I studied Physical Geography and was first introduced to Geographic Information Systems technology. I eventually returned to school at Appalachian State University in the mountains of North Carolina, where I studied Geographic Information Science and began my career as a GIS professional. In 2023, I moved to the gravel cycling capital of the world, Emporia, Kansas, to pursue my racing ambitions. I currently lead a bachelor's life and take full advantage of it to pursue a life of challenge and adventure."
Why did you want to work at Paulding Putnam?
"Paulding Putnam is a forward-thinking organization with a great team of professionals. I think I can add value to the team and contribute to the success of Paulding Putnam in their current and future endeavors. There is considerable opportunity for me to apply the knowledge and skills I have amassed over the years, and also opportunities for me to grow and learn. I will have the ability to shape and develop the GIS Administrator role and help guide Paulding Putnam in the adoption and use of GIS technology, which is quite exciting."
Tell us about your work history.
"I came to Paulding Putnam from NISC, where I assisted members (like Paulding Putnam) in better utilizing NISC's mapping and staking software applications. I did this by providing training and technical support to users. My previous GIS experience includes working for the industry leader in GIS Software, Esri, and GIS positions at other employers such as the US Forest Service and UT-Knoxville. Beyond GIS, I have a diverse work history that includes being a high school science teacher, a cellarman and production manager at the 85th highest producing craft brewery in the US, and a freight thrower and conveyor/sorter operator at a Target Distribution Center."
What will you be doing here at Paulding Putnam?
"I am Paulding Putnam's first Geographic Information System Administrator. I will have a wide range of responsibilities but some of the major tasks I will work on include improving the quality of the data used in Paulding Putnam's maps, ensuring the data functions correctly in applications used for engineering modeling and outage prediction, developing and maintaining the various maps used by employees and members, managing the integration of the new fiber infrastructure into Paulding Putnam's maps, and training users in the various map-based tools in use at Paulding Putnam."
What are you looking forward to?
"I have spent much of my GIS career helping others become better GIS professionals. I'm looking forward to getting in the game and applying the huge amount of knowledge and skills I've developed over the years. Also, it is exciting to be able to play a part in the growth and evolution that Paulding Putnam is currently experiencing."
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of work?
"I'm a competitive gravel cyclist specializing in the single speed category, where I do long distance races on gravel and dirt roads riding a bicycle with only one gear. My longest race was 153 miles, but I'm preparing for a 200-mile race at the end of May. I spend most of my free time training, racing, and doing all the other stuff required to be successful in the sport. I'm working toward becoming one of the top single-speed amateurs in the nation."
A fun fact about you?
"I've ridden a bicycle from the shore of Hilo Bay to the Mauna Loa Observatory on the Big Island of Hawaii. It was 45 miles continuously uphill from sea level to 11,000 feet. It's one of the biggest cycling climbs in the world."
A favorite quote or motto that inspires you or that you like to live by?
"First say to yourself what you would be and then do what you have to do." - Epictetus
Anything else you would like to add?
"I'm really excited to join the PPEC team and can't wait to see where this new adventure goes!"