Welcome to the first edition of the Mapping Specialists online newsletter, the next step in the evolution of our company newsletter. We are very pleased to be launching this new form of communication with you, our clients. While many of you enjoyed our printed newsletters in the past, this digitally delivered newsletter will allow us to keep all of you informed of important developments in a timely manner. And we save a few trees in the process. So, welcome.

What a challenge all of us face in these difficult economic times. I purchased Mapping Specialists, Ltd. (MSL) on January 5, 2009, right in the middle of the national financial crisis. I have been with the company since October of 1986, and consequently I can relate to the changes and challenges all of you are facing. Never in my wildest dreams did I picture a year like the one we just experienced. Like many companies, we have downsized and become “leaner and meaner,” as they say. Through this period we have focused on services that our clients need the most: quality cartography, editorial services, research, and database development. Additionally, we have and are developing services that we see our clients needing as the economy recovers–web development, Adobe Flash and Flex programming, animations, etc. The bottom line is, I'm happy to report that we are still here and plan to keep serving you well into the future.

If there is a bright spot in all of this turmoil, I believe it is opportunity. As the economy recovers, opportunities will present themselves. I wish I had a crystal ball and could tell all of you what those opportunities are going to be, but of course I don't. I do know that the staff here at MSL is ready to help you turn your opportunities into realities and move all of our companies forward.

I wish all of you the best of luck as this year continues to unfold.

We value your feedback, so please let us know if you have any comments about this newsletter or our company.