Chris Lyons
GIS Analyst III
Spatial Developer
Published Researcher
Building tools at the intersection of geospatial science and software engineering. Environmental regulatory GIS by day, open-source spatial tooling at every other hour. Based in Frankfort, Kentucky.
About
GIS Analyst III at the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, where I design enterprise geodatabase workflows, automate environmental regulatory data pipelines, and develop custom ArcGIS Pro SDK add-ins for mine permitting and reclamation programs.
My practice sits at the intersection of legacy government GIS infrastructure and modern cloud-native spatial development. I publish peer-reviewed research, maintain open-source Python packages on PyPI, and write about GeoAI through the Null Island Dispatch newsletter.
Research & Writing
First Author · Peer Reviewed · 2024
Evaluating Spectral Properties of Invasive Plant Species in Central Kentucky Recreation Areas
Spectral analysis of invasive plant species in central Kentucky recreation areas, evaluating reflectance properties to distinguish invasive species from native vegetation. Underpins the spectral signature datasets in speclib and classification workflows in KyCanopy.
Esri YPN Blog · Content Ambassador
Feb 2026
From Prompt to Product: How I Use AI Tools to Supercharge My GIS Workflow
A practitioner's take on integrating AI into ArcPy and Pro SDK workflows — and why domain knowledge matters more, not less, in the age of AI.
Jul 2025
Bridging the Gap: Helping Non-GIS Users in the Public Sector
Designing GIS tools for non-technical government workers — custom add-ins that prioritize outcomes over complexity.
Apr 2025
Making the Most of Conferences: Insights from a Fellow Professional
Practical advice for young GIS professionals on preparing for and following up after geospatial conferences.
Newsletter · Weekly
Null Island Dispatch
A practitioner-focused newsletter on large language models and geospatial technology. Written by someone who builds the tools, not just writes about them.
Read / Subscribe →
Experience
GIS Analyst III
Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet — GIS Branch
June 2023 – Present
- Lead GIS analysis supporting mine permitting, compliance monitoring, and regulatory reporting
- Automated spatial workflows using Python, ArcPy, and ArcGIS Pro SDK — cutting manual processing time by ~45%
- Develop and maintain custom ArcGIS Pro SDK add-ins to replace legacy tools and standardize operations
- Manage enterprise Oracle SDE geodatabases and coordinate with DGI on statewide data standards
GIS Technician
NV5 Geospatial
Nov 2022 – June 2023
- QC and validation of statewide high-resolution orthoimagery covering 3,000+ square miles
- Aerial triangulation, accuracy assessments, and metrology documentation
Engineering Technician
Qk4, Inc.
May 2021 – Nov 2022
- 2D/3D plats in AutoCAD and MicroStation for transportation and civil infrastructure projects
- UAS data collection, photogrammetric processing, and QA for construction monitoring
- Won AASHTO GIS-T Map Gallery People's Choice Award (2022) for a DSM visualization project
Projects
WatershedIQ
activeContainerized watershed intelligence platform. FastAPI + deck.gl + MapLibre 2D, Babylon.js 3D terrain panel, animated particle flow. KyFromAbove DEM integration, pysheds + WhiteboxTools.
Echelon
activeOpen-source GEOINT intelligence dashboard. React/TypeScript + MapLibre GL + Deck.gl, FastAPI, H3 resolution breakpoints, Z-score convergence scoring against 365-day rolling baselines.
ArcLink
in devGPL-3.0 MCP bridge connecting ArcGIS Pro to AI agent ecosystems. Python/arcpy headless server + C# Pro SDK interactive server. Targets ArcGIS Pro 3.6+ / .NET 8.
tissot
activeVisual projection diagnostics engine. Per-feature distortion heatmaps, CRS recommendations with quantified evidence, offline MapLibre reports. Rust core, PyO3 bindings, WASM, QGIS plugin.
speclib
in devSpectral signature library platform. Federated ingestion from USGS, ECOSTRESS, EMIT. Kentucky collections for invasives, minerals, reclamation substrates. Seeded from Lyons et al. 2024.
CoalTrace
in devMulti-temporal reclamation segmentation. SAM2 zero-shot + spectral classification, ResNet-50 multi-task segmentation + bond release classification. Pilot: Pike County, KY.
Open Source Packages
Python packages on PyPI for geospatial remote sensing, LiDAR processing, and data engineering.
AbovePy
PyPI · Python
STAC client and data access library for the KyFromAbove LiDAR and orthoimagery catalog.
earthForge
PyPI · Python
Cloud-native geospatial data engineering toolkit. GeoParquet I/O and spatial ETL utilities.
occulus
PyPI · Python
LiDAR point cloud processing. Change detection, volumetrics, and terrain profile extraction.
Community
25 Young Geospatial Pros to Watch in 2025
xyHt Magazine
Map Gallery People's Choice Award · 2022
AASHTO GIS-T Symposium
National recognition for a DSM visualization project, selected by attendees spanning DOT agencies from nearly every U.S. state and territory.
Vanguard Cabinet — 2025–2027 Cohort
Geospatial Professional Network (GPN)
Leadership cabinet for the next generation of geospatial professionals.
Content Ambassador
Esri Young Professionals Network (YPN)
Regular contributor to the YPN blog on GeoAI and ArcGIS Pro SDK development.
Current Participant
Energy & Environment Cabinet Leadership Academy
Graduate · 2023
Leadership Shelby
Community leadership development focused on civic engagement and strategic thinking, Shelby County, KY.
Active Member
American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS)
Active Member
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Member
Cloud Native Geospatial Forum
Advancing cloud-optimized open standards: COG, GeoParquet, STAC, PMTiles, GeoArrow.
Past Board Member · General Member
Kentucky Association of Mapping Professionals (KAMP)
Previously served as Director of the Membership Committee.
Skills
GIS Platforms
- ArcGIS Pro
- ArcGIS Enterprise
- ArcGIS Online
- QGIS
- Global Mapper
Development
- Python / ArcPy
- C# / .NET
- TypeScript
- Rust
- R
Spatial / Cloud
- COG / STAC
- GeoParquet
- PMTiles
- DuckDB Spatial
- H3 / PostGIS
Databases
- Oracle SDE
- Enterprise GDB
- PostGIS
- SQL Server
ArcGIS SDK
- Pro SDK (.NET)
- DAML / WPF / MVVM
- JS SDK 5.0
- Calcite
Web Stack
- React / Vite
- MapLibre GL
- Deck.gl
- Three.js / Babylon.js
- FastAPI
Remote Sensing
- Hyperspectral
- LiDAR / Point Cloud
- KyFromAbove
- DTM / DSM
- GPS & GNSS
CAD & Survey
- AutoCAD
- MicroStation
- Civil 3D
- UAS / Drone Ops
- Photogrammetry
Education
M.S. Environmental Studies
Kentucky State University
2018 – 2021
B.S. Agriculture, Food & Environment
Kentucky State University · Minor: Geospatial Technology
2014 – 2018
Contact
Get in touch
Open to conversations about geospatial engineering, GeoAI, cloud-native spatial infrastructure, ArcGIS Pro SDK development, or open-source collaboration.