Richard Smith Jr., GISP, is an asst. professor of geographic information science in the School of Engineering and Computing Sciences at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. He has a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Georgia, MSc in computer science, and BSc in geographic information science from Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. He researches in cartography, systems integration, and the use of geospatial technology for disaster response. He is an advocate for FOSS4G and building a FOSS4G curriculum. He is a co-author of the FOSS4G Academy.