Amy Roust, Douglas County Senior GIS Analyst, has received first place in the 2019 GIS Certification Institute Map Contest for her entry titled, “Risk Assessment for Alien Abduction.” It’s a statistical analysis on the probability of being abducted by aliens based on sightings around the world.

Douglas County GIS Coordinator Bryce Hirschman described the contest as fiercely competitive. “All of the exhibits are very well done,” he said.

Criteria includes: accuracy, design and layout, legibility, visual appeal, effective communication, effective use of geographic information and originality.

For the winning entry, Roust will receive a $250 prize and her renewal fees will be waived for the next GIS Professional recertification. Her map will be entered and displayed at the ESRI 2019 User Conference in July in San Diego, California. The conference typically draws 18,000 attendees and Roust will be among them.

Roust has worked in Douglas County’s Geographic Information System (GIS) Department for about five years. She has helped create a variety of interactive maps, including ones that show election polling places, property holdings and road closures. “She is tactically and technically very proficient. She is a good resource for the organization and for the citizens of Douglas County. She’s awesome,” Hirschman said.

View the Alien Abduction map and other map contest entries.