Norcross, GA — With the recent acquisition of IONIC Software, Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging is pleased to announce that Vincent Dessard, former CEO, will join the executive management team as Vice President of Business Development. Vincent will continue to manage IONIC Software during the integration process over the next several months.

IONIC is a world-renowned company, offering enterprise geospatial technology with the most advanced service-oriented platform available for web-based and distributed systems. Leveraging his rich, diverse background, Dessard will help continue to build Leica Geosystems’ position as an industry leader.

Dessard has spent more than fifteen years in the geospatial information industry, vitally contributing to the interoperability and standards definitions for both the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). In 1999, Dessard co-founded IONIC Software in Belgium, and, in 2001, co-founded IONIC Enterprise, IONIC’s presence in the USA. During his time at IONIC, Dessard served as CEO and Executive Director, in addition to spearheading sales and business development efforts. Dessard continues to serve as a member of the OGC Management and Planning Committee and Chairman of the OGC Europe Forum.  In addition, he is also the head of the Belgian Delegation at ISO-TC211.

“We are pleased Vincent has joined the executive management team at Leica Geosystems,” said Bob Morris, President and CEO, Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging. “Providing continued leadership and insight into the geospatial enterprise movement, Vincent is an invaluable asset as we enhance our solution offerings.”

“It is an honor to join a company with such a rich history and an impressive growth strategy,” noted Vincent Dessard. “I am excited to integrate IONIC’s RedSpider technology to further enhance Leica Geosystems’ data management capabilities for service-oriented enterprise systems, empowering the continued development of solutions with seamless interoperable spatial data infrastructure based on OGC/ISO standards.”

After graduating from the University of Liege in Belgium with a degree in computer science and an additional year as research fellow, Dessard held various positions at Siemens throughout Europe and later served as a Product Director for Star Informatic.

About Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging
When building image-based maps, you need reliable measurements and solutions for your entire workflow. So when it has to be right, more geospatial professionals trust Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging, to help them collect, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is powering geospatial imaging by putting precise imaging to work. Its broad array of photogrammetry and remote sensing software solutions capture data efficiently, reference imagery accurately, measure and analyze easily and present spatial information, even in 3D. Those who use Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging products every day trust them for their precision, their seamless integration, and their superior customer support. Delivering geospatial imaging solutions with precision, integration, and service from Leica Geosystems. When it has to be right.

Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden.  For more information about Leica or its products and services, call +1 770 776 3400, toll free +1 866 534 2286, or visit http://www.gi.leica-geosystems.com.