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MAGIP Board Elections

MAGIP elections are held annually in the spring. The primary purpose for elections is to elect incoming members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may bring additional initiatives (e.g. revisions to the MAGIP Bylaws or Constitution) to the membership for a vote during annual elections. Annually, Nominations open for Board Positions in April so that Elections can be finalized prior to the June Board of Directors Annual meeting.  

You must be a member of MAGIP to vote in the elections.  Please visit the MAGIP Membership page if you would like to join.


2025 MAGIP Elections 

Election Schedule   |   Open Positions  |    View Nominees


Election ballots will be sent April 28, 2025

The Election will be held April 28 - May 12, 2025. If your MAGIP membership is up to date, you should receive your e-mail ballot on April 28, 2025. The ballot is sent using Wild Apricot (the email may appear to be sent from admin@magip.org) and is unique to each MAGIP Member. If you are a MAGIP Member and you do not receive a ballot, please check your spam and junk folders, and then contact MAGIP to have one sent to you.


ELECTION Schedule

  • March 11 - Nominations Open/Send Out Call via email and on MAGIP website
  • April 21 - Nominations Close 
  • April 28 - Election Begins (via email)
  • May 12 - Election Closes
  • May 20 - Election Results ratified at Board Meeting 
  • May 27 - New Members Officially take office
  • June 17 - First Board Meeting for new Board Members

Open Board Positions

President - Elected to two (2) year term (President, Past President): This is a special election since the MAGIP Board appointed a Vice President to the Vacant Position following the 2024 Election.

  • Develop Agenda for Board Meetings and post the Agenda to MAGIP website and email list (at least two weeks prior to the board meeting in accordance with the Bylaws)
  • Attend and facilitate board meetings 
  • Present “MAGIP Update” at quarterly MGIAC meetings, or appoint someone to do this 
  • Attend Committee Meetings and help plan MAGIP events 
  • Plan Board Strategic Planning Meeting  

Vice President - Elected to three (3) year term (Vice President, President, Past President)

  • As Parliamentarian they need to be aware of bylaws and meeting procedures
  • Step in for presidential duties when necessary
  • Help plan MAGIP Events and Promote MAGIP

    Treasurer - Elected to two (2) year term

    • Keep track of MAGIP accounts
    • Create draft annual budget for Board review and approval
    • Provide budget updates at Board meetings

    Secretary - Elected to two (2) year term

    • Record minutes at Board meetings
    • Post meeting agendas, minutes, and board decisions to the website

    Technical Committee Chair - Elected to two (2) year term

    • Responsible for planning and coordinating workshops at the annual conference
    • Responsible for advising the board and membership on technical issues

    Scholarships & Grants Committee Chair - Elected to two (2) year term

    • Responsible for planning and coordinating Grant and Scholarships
    • Review applications and awards grants and scholarships

      Note: All Elected Members of the Board must be MAGIP members in good standing for their entire period of membership. Meetings of the Board shall be held at times and places specified by the Board, but there should be no less than four (4) board meetings per year.  Board members must attend at least one (1) board meeting in person. Presently, the Board meets in person quarterly from 10am -2pm. Additionally, they hold one (1) hour check in meetings during months when they do not meet in person. Currently, these occur on the third Tuesday of each month from 2-3pm.

      View position descriptions in the MAGIP Board and Committee Chair Responsibilities Document (PDF) and Board Terms in the MAGIP Board Organization Chart (PDF). For more information visit the MAGIP Board Meeting page.

      Constitution & Bylaw Amendments to be Voted on by the Membership

      None at this time


      View the Nominees

      President (Special Election) - Elected to two (2) year term (President, Past President)


      Jackson Rose was born and raised in Montana, Jackson is a research scientist and GIS instructor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Montana State University. He also co-leads the Geospatial Core Facility, a central GIS hub supporting research and applied geospatial work across campus and beyond. His expertise includes spatial analysis, UAVs, and geostatistics. Outside of work, Jackson enjoys exploring Montana’s landscapes through hiking, skiing, and fishing.


      Vice President - Elected to three (3) year term (Vice President, President, Past President)

      Mike Powell is the GIS Manager for Yellowstone County. Mike has worked for Yellowstone County for 23 years, starting out as a GIS Technician. When he became a GIS Analyst, he oversaw the parcels and all layers that were associated with parcels. 9 years ago, he became the Address Coordinator adding the responsibilities of addressing, 911, E911, NG911 and road naming. Within the last few years, he has become the GIS Manager of the county. Before coming to Montana Mike lived in WI and worked for 5 years in the private sector doing GIS work with AutoCAD and MicroStation. Mike has been a MAGIP Member throughout his time in Montana. Mike has made great connections, friends around the state and now looks forward to getting more involved with MAGIP. 


      Treasurer - Elected to two (2) year term

      Nick Lewis moved to Montana in 2016 to pursue a GIS-focused degree at MSU. After graduating in 2020, he has been lucky enough to explore a career path that has continued developing his skills in GIS and Land Surveying. As an early career professional, he is eager to contribute to MAGIP and support the growth of spatial knowledge, awareness, and community across Montana.




      Secretary - Elected to two (2) year term

      Lauren Wilcox is a GIS Analyst with over seven years of experience in both public and private sectors. She currently works for the City of Bozeman, where she supports spatial analysis, system integration, and map creation to help departments make data-driven decisions. Lauren earned her degree in GIS and Planning from Montana State University and has held GIS roles at MSU, Gallatin County, and Wildfire Defense Systems. Her work has included everything from emergency response mapping to 911 data management and enterprise GIS support. She’s known for her organized, adaptable approach and passion for clean data, clear maps, and practical solutions.


        Technical Committee Chair - Elected to two (2) year term

        Dave Rea has worked as a GIS Analyst in both Alaska and Montana over the past seven years. My experience with Esri's tools and other GIS solutions has given me a strong foundation in digital mapping, spatial data processing, and solving complex real-time challenges.

        One of my most formative roles involved GIS operations in the remote Arctic, where I mapped frozen water bodies in order to support safe navigation for field crews and provided project reports and information to our clients for decision-making. This work developed my technical skills and reinforced the importance of efficiency paired with accuracy.

        Before and during my transition into the geospatial field I spent a decade in wildland fire. Leadership, teamwork, and staying organized under pressure were skills I learned which continue to apply to my work today.

        I would be grateful for the opportunity to help support MAGIP’s mission in whatever way I am able, and to contribute to the GIS community across Montana.


        Scholarships & Grants Committee Chair - Elected to two (2) year term

        Dr. Robert Ahl has degrees in Biology, Environmental Science, Forestry, and is affiliate faculty in the University of Montana Department of Geography. He works as Geospatial Systems Specialist for the USDA Forest in Missoula, MT, for a National Land Status team.

        At a MAGIP conference in Billings, MT Robert was approached by members of the MAGIP Board of Directors and asked if he would be interested in serving on the Education Committee. He gladly accepted and has had the honor of serving on what is now called the Scholarship and Grants Committee since 2014. This has been an extremely rewarding experience, and over the years Robert has helped the committee increase the annual scholarships and grants budgets and helped fund over two dozen undergraduate and graduate student scholarships alike, as well as provide grants to Tribal, private, and public schools.


        For more information, please contact Mike Powell, Past President and Election Committee Chair.

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