Frank LaFone Joins Tephracor as Director of Spatial Science and Data Modeling, Bringing Over 20 Years of Geospatial Expertise
Tephracor is delighted to announce the appointment of Frank LaFone as the new Director of Spatial Science and Data Modeling. With over 20 years of experience as a geospatial professional, Frank brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, furthering Tephracor’s mission of advancing sustainable agricultural solutions through innovative spatial science.
Frank LaFone's career in West Virginia has seen him involved in a diverse array of projects on local, state, national, and international scales. His work spans multiple subject areas, including carbon sequestration, infrastructure development, emergency management, virtual reality, health mapping, and tourism. Notably, he was one of the primary developers for the National Carbon Atlas (NATCARB) for the Department of Energy and the West Virginia Atlas for carbon sequestration. Frank's focus on creating user-friendly, accessible tools has been instrumental in effectively communicating complex scientific information to users.
A founding member of the West Virginia Association of Geospatial Professionals, Frank has served as President, Vice President, and is currently a board of directors member. His commitment to the geospatial community extends to co-founding and co-hosting the internationally award-winning podcast VerySpatial, which is now entering its 19th year.
In addition to his professional achievements, Frank serves as a faculty member at Fairmont State University, where he teaches GIS and Geography and operates as the Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Quality Initiatives. He is in the final stages of completing his Ph.D. in
Geography and Geographic Information Science. Frank holds a Master’s in Political Science from West Virginia University, a Master’s in International Studies from Syracuse University, and dual Bachelor's degrees in Computer Science and International Relations from West Virginia University.
Frank's multidisciplinary background has equipped him with a unique perspective on integrating technology and environmental policy. His extensive research contributions include publications in top-tier journals and book chapters on topics such as public sector geospatial data infrastructure, literary virtual geographies, and the role of citizen sensors in informal spatial data infrastructure. He has presented his work at numerous national and international conferences, including the National Sequestration Conference, sharing insights on flood risk communication through 3D visualization and the spatial analysis of childhood obesity.
Frank has played a pivotal role in various research projects funded by prestigious organizations, including the USDA, DOE, and NETL. Notable projects include the National Carbon Sequestration Viewer, the Marcellus Shale Energy and Environment Laboratory, and the USDA Carbonscapes initiative.
Tephracor is confident that Frank LaFone’s extensive expertise and innovative approach will significantly enhance the company’s spatial science and data modeling capabilities, driving forward our commitment to sustainable agricultural solutions.