About
David Sampson is currently employed with the Federal Government of Canada as a Technology Analyst in the field of Geomatics.
Dave Sampson is a wilderness traveler and experiential educator turned desk-jockey, Open Source GIS Geek. Starting as a camper with Scouts Canada, Dave transitioned into leadership roles throughout his youth. Dave retired from the vocation of professional camp councelor and wilderness guide after 10 summer seasons traveling the wilds of Ontario's back country. Starting in Eastern Ontario, migrating to the Algonquin region and finally ending in the reaches of Northern Ontario.
Dave holds a Honours Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation Parks and Tourism, a Bachelor of Arts in Geography with a minor in Occupational ethics as well as a certificate in Tourism Resource Management from Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Ontario.
He has always blended his intrigue of the scientific process with his love for the natural world. Early influences such as John Muir impacted his understanding of his surroundings. This often resulted in combining philosophy with science to gain a greater understanding of the world
“ When we try to pick
out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the
Universe. ,
-- John Muir My First Summer in the Sierra, Chapter 6
First being introduced to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) through a provincial pilot project while attending Confederation High School in Ottawa, Dave is now an active member in the Free and Open Source Software for Geomatics (FOSS4G) community. As a co-founder of the Ottawa Chapter of the Open Geospatial Foundation, he remains active in many FOSS4G projects.
Dave is an advocate of open source technology and a supporter of sustainable open source projects. Where feasible, Dave helps NRCAN employees and management implement open source solutions that can help save time, money and increase productivity. This has become increasingly possible with the Treasury Boards position on Open Source.
Dave is quite excited about the adoption of open source throughout his evolving career.
"a great babbling bazaar of differing agendas and approaches." „ -- '
Currently working with the program as a technology analyst, Dave reminisces on his time living on lakes and in forests while providing support to the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastrucutre (CGDI) and advising on the implementation of standards from the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC).
While considering his role as a public servant, his future ambitions include project management, a stint in policy (NRCAN's Science Policy Integration Branch?) and always looking for opportunities as an intrapreneur within the Government of Canada.
To help navigate opportunities in the waters of NRCAN carreer direction and professional development Dave is working with a mentor. This is a great opportunity for young professionals like himself to learn everything required to strive for career opportunities as a public servant that can't be found in a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document.
Outside of work Dave keeps himself busy with various passions. Other interests include anything outdoors in the fresh air. If he could, Dave would move his office to a picnic table under a tree. In the winter, Telemark Skiing occupies the majority of Dave's time. He co-founded Freeheelers United, a Telemark ski school servicing the National Capital region. With interruptions to skate, shovel and play in snow forts. Once the snow melts, out come a plethora of other toys like bikes, canoes, tents and backpacks.
“ we are what we
repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit „
-- Will Durant The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the
World's Greatest Philosophers
Throughout all seasons a camera can be found not too far away from Dave's side. Although he focuses mainly on Nature and Landscape, with the advent of digital photography Dave has experimented with many other genres such as people, architecture and abstract, as he continues to develop his own style and tastes. Check out his online photo album at Photo.net