Employee Spotlight

Sara Baber

Q. What do you like most about Optimal GEO?

A. The memes.

Q. Tell us three things most people don’t know about you.

A. I’ve been playing guitar for around 9 years now, and boy are my hands tired LOL!
I was almost Vine famous once.
I’m actually originally from Maryland, so you guys can go ahead and miss me with those WV jokes.

Q. What have you always wanted to try and never have?

A. I’ve always wanted to try to learn a new language. Like, seriously put in the effort and become proficient in conversation and not just the fun profanities I put into Google Translate or the Italian version of Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” that I sing to my dog.

Q. What was your favorite vacation or vacation you've always wanted to take?

A. I’d love to travel to Japan and eat all of their food.

Q. What is your favorite music/artists?

A. Some of my favs are Sam Cooke, anything Motown or Motown adjacent, Van Morison, SRV, Ray LaMontagne, John Mayer, and Ed Sheeran. This isn’t to say that I won’t drop it hella low to T-Pain’s “Up Down” or listen to “MMMBop” 30 times a day. Also, John Mayer is the greatest blues guitarist of our generation. Fight me.

Business Development

Savannah Watson

Q. What do you like most about Optimal GEO?

A. The people and work culture are what I like most about Optimal Geo.

Q. Tell us three things most people don’t know about you.

A. I have jumped out of an airplane.
I was a competing equestrian in high school.
My friend and I were once interviewed about witnessing a UFO.

Q. What have you always wanted to try and never have?

A. Scuba diving!!

Q. What is your favorite vacation or vacation you've always wanted to take?

A. My favorite vacation was probably camping in Oregon. I would love to go to Tanzania. I’m also determined to see the Grand Canyon soon (or before I die)!

Q. What is your favorite type of music/artists?

A. I like a variety of genres. It depends on my mood. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of 90’s country.

Geospatial Analyst

Norberto Quinones

Q. What do you like most about Optimal GEO?

A. I love my job because everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the mission. These are key on creating a healthy work environment. The company also promotes skills development and professional growth of the employees.

Q. Tell us three things most people don’t know about you.

A. I had played guitar professionally
Love scuba diving
Competed and won with my dog Luna (a cocker spaniels) on obedience competitions.

Q. What have you always wanted to try and never have?

A. Never had Ethiopian food.

Q. What is your favorite vacation or vacation you've always wanted to take?

A. My favorite vacation was traveling to Brazil. Great food, music and people.

Q. What is your favorite type of music/artists?

A. The Beatles

GIS Architect

Q. What do you like most about Optimal GEO?

A. Everyone here reminds me of one big family. People genuinely want to hear about your day, your project, and what’s going on in your life outside of work.

Q. Tell us three things most people don’t know about you.

A. My master’s thesis focused on fisheries management & living shorelines which required me to track four thousand fish for a whole summer.
I have slept at the base of an active volcano.
My previous job was conducting remote sensing research at NASA.

Q. What have you always wanted to try and never have?

A. I’ve always wanted to drive a motorcycle on a race track or on the Autobahn.

Q. What is your favorite vacation or vacation you've always wanted to take?

A. One of my favorite trips I’ve taken was to Prague several years ago. There is so much history there that has been preserved going back hundreds of years.

Q. What is your favorite type of music/artists?

A. I like most types of music, but I’m especially enjoying being close to Nashville to take advantage of the country concerts.

Emily Gotschalk

Geospatial Analyst

Q. What do you like most about Optimal GEO?

A. I enjoy the people that I work with, as well as the general atmosphere.

Q. Tell us three things most people don’t know about you.

A. Although I like football, I would much rather watch hockey (season starts October 3!).
I am a geologist, but I don’t really care for rocks. It means earth science, not rock science! Also, quit bringing me pieces of concrete from the sidewalk.
I have passed 2 kidney stones since working here. I blame genetics and WRDB.

Q. What have you always wanted to try and never have?

A. I’ve always wanted to play hockey. I can’t skate though.

Q. What is your favorite vacation or vacation you've always wanted to take?

A. Always wanted to go to Scotland/England, then hop on over to Germany and Poland. Basically, a trip to where my ancestors were from.

Q. What is your favorite type of music/artists?

A. Pink Floyd, Jawbreaker, Brand New

Jason Stuart

Izabela Hamilton

Q. What do you like most about Optimal GEO?

A. The variety of projects we undertake and the laughter in the office.

Q. Tell us three things most people don’t know about you.

A. Portuguese was my first language.
At one point I made crepes professionally.
My great great grandma was a plant healer in the Amazon.

Q. What have you always wanted to try and never have?

A. Blowing glass and welding, not sure why.

Q. What was your favorite vacation or vacation you've always wanted to take?

A. Tahiti was pretty amazing but nothing beats the cheese in France.

Q. What is your favorite music/artists?

A. Jorja Smith, Rufus du Sol, and really any 90's rap

Geospatial Analyst

Kris Harmon

Geospatial Data Technician

Q. What do you like most about Optimal GEO?

A. The atmosphere! I love the events we have as a company to keep us refreshed from the daily grind of work.

Q. Tell us three things most people don’t know about you.

A. I usually pass out at the sight or talk of blood.
I like to watch live streams of storm chasers during severe weather.
I don’t like chicken on bread. I don’t eat chicken sandwiches.

Q. What have you always wanted to try and never have?

A. I want to chase tornadoes!

Q. What is your favorite vacation or vacation you've always wanted to take?

A. I have always wanted to go to Hawaii. Preferably during non-volcano season though.

Q. What is your favorite type of music/artists?

A. I like all kinds of music. NEEDTOBREATHE is definitely my favorite band.

Jill Dittmann

Q. What do you like most about Optimal GEO?

A. I have worked at the JALBTCX office for 11 yrs and have seen many changes. We have been through 3 different contractors and by far Optimal Geo has been the BEST. Our company truly values people on a personal and professional level which says a lot in today’s work force. Our client, my co-workers and the program are awesome.

Q. Tell us three things most people don’t know about you.

A. I race with a team called Avery’s Army. She’s a young girl who lives in Alabama that was diagnosed with RETT Syndrome at the age of 4. We compete in Spartans (Sprints to Trifectas) and road races from 5k’s to full marathons to bring awareness to the disease and our cause to help raise money for Avery’s needs.
I enjoy donating my time to a couple of our local food banks that feed the needy.
I’m a HUGE Saints Fan. Who Dat!!

Q. What have you always wanted to try and never have?

A. Skydiving

Q. What is your favorite vacation or vacation you've always wanted to take?

A. My motto has always been “Life is all about the adventure”, so I have a bucket list of passport wishes and caviar dreams. lol Australia & Bora Bora are on my must-see adventures, but in my world of travels so far, we have really enjoyed St. Croix/St. John area.

Q. What is your favorite type of music/artists?

A. I love a wide range of music. I don’t really have a favorite.

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