One professor, two campuses

Brian Rizzo brings to the University of Mary Washington vast GIS experience in both academic and corporate environments. In addition to teaching at the University of Virginia, the University of Western Ontario, Hollins University, and Southern Illinois University, Rizzo helped found Isosceles Information Solutions, a company focused on the development and delivery of GIS solutions, and served as GIS Division Manager for Infinity Systems Group.

 A leading authority on GIS, Rizzo has worked with engineers, planners, and IT professionals and has helped develop and integrate GIS solutions for airports, security companies, municipal governments, and businesses.

Rizzo received his Ph.D. in environmental sciences from U. Va. Before coming to this country for his doctoral work, he was a senior research officer at Environment Canada. There, he helped maintain the Canada Geographic Information System (CGIS), arguably the first operational GIS in the world, and conducted research in the ecological effects of climate change. 

“My public- and private-sector experience has taught me that geographic visualization enables more informed decision-making,” Rizzo said. “I see GIS becoming an integral part of the business environment.”

Rizzo, working with faculty on both the Fredericksburg and Stafford campuses, will develop a range of GIS-related courses.