Meet Our Trainers
Our team combines decades of practical consulting experience with expert instruction to deliver training that bridges the gap between theory and real-world application.
Our GIS Training Team
At NGIS, our instructors aren’t just teachers – they’re practicing consultants who work daily with clients across mining, government, and infrastructure sectors, solving complex spatial challenges and implementing enterprise-scale solutions. This means our training is enriched with practical insights, current industry challenges, and innovative solutions that go beyond theoretical knowledge.
When you learn with NGIS, you’re not just getting standard instruction; you’re benefiting from the combined expertise of professionals who understand both the technical aspects and the practical applications of geospatial technology in today’s business environment. Our trainers’ ongoing involvement in major projects ensures that course content remains relevant, practical, and aligned with industry best practices, while our structured training programs are designed to build lasting capability within your organisation.
Abby Boulter
Manager of Training
Abby leads our Geospatial Training and Capability Building Program, bringing a unique blend of experience to the role.
With over 10 years as an urban planner in the public sector and 5 years as a Customer Success Manager for a US-based satellite imagery company, she has first-hand experience in using spatial data and geospatial technology to support informed decision making. Abby is passionate about making GIS accessible to everyone through professional training, demystifying complex concepts, and assisting teams in building the confidence, capability, and skills they need to succeed.
From initial inquiry to the successful implementation of your entire training program, Abby is dedicated to ensuring you get the most out of your investment.
Marcel Maron
Senior GIS Team Lead and Lead Trainer
Marcel brings over 20 years of geospatial industry experience with a strong focus on training delivery and team leadership. As NGIS’s Lead Trainer, he has developed and delivered numerous courses including Introduction to ArcGIS, ArcGIS Pro Foundations, ArcGIS Pro Intermediate and QGIS Foundations. His extensive background includes significant work with environmental and resource sector organisations , where he led GIS teams and implemented enterprise-level spatial solutions.
Marcel holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Cartography and GIS from Curtin University. His combination of technical expertise across the Esri stack, FME, and remote sensing tools, coupled with his experience in both government and industry sectors, makes him particularly effective at relating course content to real-world applications.
Nick Chai
Technical Review and Principal GIS Consultant
With over 10 years in the GIS industry, Nick combines technical expertise with extensive training experience. He has been instrumental in developing and delivering industry-leading GIS training to clients throughout both private and public sectors, most notably our Skyline TerraExplorer Pro course for 3D data visualisation and analysis.
Nick’s background spans multiple GIS technologies, from enterprise-level implementations to desktop solutions. His depth of experience with major mining clients provides valuable industry context to training sessions. As a certified Google Data Engineer, he brings additional expertise in cloud technologies and modern spatial solutions. Nick holds Bachelor’s degrees in Aquatic Resource Management and Coastal Zone Management from Curtin University.
Paul Backhouse
Senior GIS Analyst
Paul is a seasoned geospatial professional with 18 years of experience across various spatial technologies and platforms. His expertise in spatial networks, database methods, and utility data models in conjunction with extensive work with government departments makes him particularly well-suited for advanced technical training.
His in-depth knowledge of ArcGIS Utility Network, migration from Geometric Network, and extensive experience with the ESRI stack positions him well for delivering specialised technical training. Paul holds a BSc in Cartography from Curtin University and brings strong mathematical and analytical skills to his training approach.
Alison Blackstock
Principal GIS Consultant
As a Principal Consultant at NGIS, Alison works with clients in both consultant and analyst contexts to help identify their needs before delivering fit-for-purpose solutions. Alison has 20 years of experience in the geospatial industry in both Australia and Canada, and has delivered major projects within the environmental resource management, infrastructure, utilities and resources sectors. She has a passion for spatial analysis, visualisation and empowering non-spatial users to make better informed decisions through web maps, apps and dashboards.
Alison holds a Bachelor of Geomatics Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts, and brings her enthusiasm for teaching and GIS technologies together to deliver NGIS’s ArcGIS Pro Foundations course.
Dion Fleming
Principal GIS Consultant
With extensive expertise in enterprise-level GIS implementation and enhancement, Dion specialises in environmental GIS and infrastructure planning support. His proficiency with FME workflow design and Python scripting makes him an excellent instructor for automation and data processing courses. Dion’s experience includes significant work with state government departments, providing real-world context particularly valuable for public sector training.
He holds a BSc in Geographic Information Science and is certified in Google Maps Platform technologies. His background in process improvement and workflow optimization adds practical value to training sessions, especially in FME and Python-based courses.
Shawn Pace
Senior GIS Consultant
Shawn brings over 10 years of geospatial industry experience across both the private and public sectors around Europe and Australia. Previous roles involved training junior colleagues on bespoke GIS platforms, web maps, Esri’s ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap, QGIS, FME and PostgreSQL. Shawn has undertaken consultancy work and managed projects across a range of geospatial software packages.
Shawn holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Earth Systems from the University of Malta and a Masters degree in Geographical Information Systems from Lund University, Sweden. Throughout his career Shawn has also jumped at the opportunity to raise awareness of the value of geospatial data and uses this passion to train clients, junior users and members of the public in geospatial systems.
Pierre Kurth
Principal GIS Consultant
Pierre is an experienced GIS specialist and Cartographer with over 18 years in print publishing, digital mapping, and the spatial industry. He has a strong background in delivering GIS training programs, guiding clients through transitions to GIS environments, and providing ongoing support to enhance their GIS capabilities.
Since joining NGIS in 2022, Pierre has further specialised in GIS training, focusing on ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Desktop, and the open-source application QGIS, helping clients build confidence and proficiency in these platforms.
Conway Pene
Principal GIS Consultant
Conway brings over 20 years’ experience in the spatial industry, focusing on enterprise systems for the infrastructure and asset sector including implementing spatial and asset management systems and managing field surveys.
From a training perspective he has 10 years of GIS instructor experience in higher education not only teaching courses in GIS, spatial analysis, remote sensing, and surveying but building and delivering courses in a variety of spatial applications including ArcGIS, QGIS and AutoCAD.
Client Success Stories: Impact in Action
See how our customised training programs have transformed organisations across industries. Our collaborative approach has helped industry leaders like Rio Tinto and Queensland Health build robust GIS capabilities, enhance workflow efficiency, and drive technological innovation across their teams. Explore these success stories to learn how we can help your organization achieve similar results.
Rio Tinto – GIS Capacity Building
NGIS Australia worked in close collaboration with Rio Tinto Iron Ore to design a GIS training program that would enable the effective use of Esri technology across the business.
Improving Public Health Insights with GIS Training at Queensland Health
Partnering with NGIS, HPRB set out to close skill gaps, efficiently utilise existing investment in technology, and support its workforce in visualising, analysing, and sharing public health information and data more effectively.
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