Mapping Specialists' CEO Jeff Kranz announces that effective January 1, 2006, David Knipfer is promoted to President of Mapping Specialists Ltd. Dave has a long history of playing important roles within MSL, and has been a crucial part of the company's growth over most of the 21 years since MSL's founding. His years of working closely with our clients and managing the operations of the company make him well-suited to take over the role of company president.

“When I joined MSL in 1989,” says Kranz, “it became apparent to me that Dave had the skills to someday manage this company. Dave is that rare individual who combines outstanding technical and interpersonal skills.”

Dave is a long-time resident of the Madison area, having grown up just to the south in the village of Oregon. He received a degree in geography, with an emphasis in cartography, from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1986. While there, he developed experience in the mapping industry by working at the Wisconsin Natural History and Geological Survey, and by interning during the summers with the City of Fitchburg Parks Department.

Dave was hired by Mapping Specialists in 1986 as a cartographer, and was quickly promoted to Project Manager in 1987. In 1990, he was assigned to estimate project costs for MSL's clients. He was again promoted, to Vice President of Marketing and Operations, in 1993.

Over the years, Dave has been actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the company, such as addressing staffing needs, allocation of human and financial resources, and proactively planning for MSL's future. He has also been the leader of the marketing team, interacting on a regular basis with many of our clients.

Dave and his wife Brenda live in Brooklyn, Wisconsin, with their three children (Matt, 15; Cara, 12; and Lucas, 9). Dave is an avid outdoor sportsman, enjoying both hunting and fishing.

Dave's interest in the outdoors led him to propose a line of products for anglers and other water sports enthusiasts, MSL's 3-D Lake Maps®. He led MSL staff in developing the process that allows us to show the lake bottom and underwater structure of popular Wisconsin recreational lakes in a three-dimensional form. The products, which include wall maps and fold maps, have proven very popular since the line debuted in 2001. The maps are available through bait shops and other outdoor retailers.

As the team leader that developed 3-D Lake Maps®, Dave was asked to participate in a television show, The Fishing Guide, a syndicated show that airs regionally. He filmed an episode of the show in late 2001 as a guest angler on Madison's Lake Monona, proudly landing a feisty muskellunge. MSL also provided map graphics and sponsored the show.

In 2004, Dave was elected to the Board of Directors of IMTA (International Map Trade Association), a position he still holds. With members in more than 50 countries, IMTA represents the commercial interests of the global mapping and spatial information industry.

Dave has played an integral part in the development and growth of MSL. Those years of helping to “build the business” set the stage for his ascension as company president. Everyone at MSL offers their congratulations and support to Dave as he provides MSL with direction and stability in his new role.

“It has been a great 19 years at Mapping Specialists. I look forward to the challenges that my new position will present. I especially look forward to working with our clients to plan a course of growth at MSL that will help meet their ever-changing needs. With an outstanding staff around me, we will be ready, willing, and able to meet these needs.”