Andrew Higgins
Andrew Higgins is a Principal Data Management Specialist based in Ontario with more than 10 years of experience focused on the development and implementation of geospatial data management systems and digital workflows to support environmental remediation and specialized construction projects across multiple industries.
Specialties
Geotechnical technical data systems design; Automated digital workflows; Environmental data management; Geospatial database design, administration, and management; Automated reporting and data visualization
Practice Areas
Contaminated Site Assessment and Cleanup; Civil Infrastructure; Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering; Facility Hazards; Environmental, Social, and Governance
Education
Graduate Certificate GIS Analyst: Applications Specialist, Sir Sandford Fleming College, 2012; B.Sc. Environmental Science, University of Western Ontario, 2011; Advanced Diploma of Environmental Technology, Fanshawe College, 2009
Client Service
Andrew has practical experience managing spatial data, automating and digitizing data collection, processing, and reporting needs for projects on all sizes and complexity. He has designed, implemented, and managed Information Management Systems for dam reconstructions, environmental site investigations, dredging projects, and numerous geotechnical projects.
Constantly evaluating the ever-changing technological landscape, Andrew is committed to driving efficiency, improve the ergonomics of digital data collection and generation, and improve reporting and data visualization techniques. He identifies routing or algorithmic tasks and looks to automate these to save effort and money and improve consistency. Andrew strives to maximize the value of collected data using modern interactive reporting tools and dashboards that allows data users to interactively ask questions or query the data directly. Users can view data in the context of other data and are empowered to find answers easily, efficiently, directly, and completely.
His project experience includes leading the design and development of the Information Management System (IMS) for Boone Dam which supported a comprehensive exploratory grouting program and the construction of a cutoff wall. The system allowed for the visualization and confirmation of pile verticality and overlap using verticality data from multiple data sources. The project was the winner of the 2019 Outstanding Environmental and Engineering Geologic Project, awarded by the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG). AEG specifically noted the innovative use of georeferenced data, risk-informed decision making, and contributions to the practice of underground construction in dams as part of the award.
Contact Andrew Higgins at AHiggins@Geosyntec.com or +1 519-514-2244.
