Blake Draper
About Blake Draper
Blake Draper is a Development Team Lead and Supervisory Developer at the U.S. Geological Survey, with a background in software development and public service. He has held various roles, including Lieutenant at the Village of McFarland and has a strong educational foundation in International Affairs and Geographic Information Science.
Current Role at U.S. Geological Survey
Blake Draper currently holds the position of Development Team Lead and Supervisory Developer at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Madison, Wisconsin. He has been in this role since 2023, overseeing a team of 5-10 developers, which includes both federal employees and student contractors. Draper actively contributes to both front-end and back-end application development, supporting the USGS mission. He leads the coordination of the WIM team's collaborative development efforts, focusing on establishing code management standards and development workflows.
Previous Experience at U.S. Geological Survey
Prior to his current role, Blake Draper worked at the U.S. Geological Survey as a Software Developer from 2012 to 2019 in Middleton, Wisconsin. During this period, he contributed to various software development projects that aligned with the agency's objectives. He also served as a Senior Software Developer from 2019 to 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin, further enhancing his expertise in software solutions for geological research and data management.
Firefighting Experience at Village of McFarland
Blake Draper served as a Firefighter for the Village of McFarland from 2019 to 2023. In this role, he was responsible for responding to emergency situations, providing fire suppression, and ensuring public safety. His experience in this position contributed to his leadership skills and ability to work effectively in high-pressure environments. In 2023, he transitioned to the role of Lieutenant within the same organization.
Educational Background
Blake Draper studied at Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in International Affairs from 2004 to 2007 and a Master's degree in International Affairs from 2008 to 2009. He also attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he completed a Capstone Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Cartography from 2011 to 2012. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his roles in software development and geographic information systems.
Research and Technical Roles
In addition to his roles at USGS and the Village of McFarland, Blake Draper worked as a Researcher and GIS Technician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2011 to 2012. This position involved utilizing geographic information systems to support research initiatives. He also served as an Election Official for the City of Madison, WI, from 2016 to 2018, where he contributed to the electoral process.