Taylor Cochran
About Taylor Cochran
Taylor Cochran is a GIS Operator and Team Lead with extensive experience in geographic information systems and cartography. Currently based in Denver, Colorado, Cochran has held various roles in organizations such as Insight Global, Xcel Energy, and CARTO, contributing to projects in land cover classification and team training.
Current Role at Insight Global
Taylor Cochran serves as a GIS Operator and Team Lead at Insight Global, a position held since 2021. In this role, Taylor leads a team of five GIS Operators and is responsible for training new members of the LCC Editing Team. The responsibilities include performing Land Cover Classification manual editing tasks utilizing Microsoft's Image Processing Framework and Map Impress. Additionally, Taylor provides weekly productivity reports to the Project Lead, ensuring effective communication and project management.
Previous Experience in Geographic Information Systems
Prior to joining Insight Global, Taylor Cochran held several positions in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Taylor worked as a GIS Analyst at Xcel Energy and Amazon Logistics from 2021 to 2022. Additionally, Taylor gained experience at Zayo Group and Crestone Peak Resources in 2018 and 2019, respectively. These roles involved analyzing geographic data and contributing to various GIS projects, enhancing Taylor's expertise in the field.
Education and Expertise in GIS and Botany
Taylor Cochran holds a Master's degree in Geographic Information Science and Cartography from Kent State University, achieved between 2016 and 2020. Additionally, Taylor obtained a Master's degree in Cyber GIS and Environmental GIS from the same institution from 2017 to 2020. Taylor also earned a Bachelor of Science in Botany/Plant Biology from Miami University, completed in 2014. This educational background provides a strong foundation in both GIS technology and environmental sciences.
Internships and Early Career Experience
Taylor's early career includes various internships and positions that contributed to professional development. Notably, Taylor worked as a Cartography Intern at CARTO from 2018 to 2019 and as a Cartographer at Tombolo Maps & Design for four months in 2018. Additionally, Taylor served as a Field Technician/Botany Assistant at Cleveland Metroparks in 2015 and as a Wilderness Intern with the US Forest Service in 2014. These experiences provided practical skills and insights into the fields of cartography and botany.
Outdoor Leadership and Personal Achievements
In addition to professional roles, Taylor Cochran has pursued outdoor leadership training through the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) since 2013. Taylor completed an Outdoor Leadership Semester in India and achieved Outdoor Leadership certification. Furthermore, Taylor accomplished a Southbound thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail, covering 2,186 miles from August 24 to December 21, 2014. These experiences reflect a commitment to outdoor education and personal growth.