Overview
Shawn Halphen supports all practice areas through comprehensive GIS analysis, data modeling, high-quality map exhibits, data conversion and manipulation, research/forensic mapping, web mapping, and 3-D technology for analysis and visualization. Shawn is skilled in a wide range of GIS and spatial analysis software programs, as well as updating and maintaining multi-user enterprise geodatabases, publishing services for use in web mapping applications, and cartography.
Prior to joining the firm, Shawn held various roles, including GIS Team Lead, for the Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD), one of five water management districts that is charged with managing the water resources of the Florida Panhandle.
Representative Experience
- Experience utilizing 3-D technology for analysis and visualization including building variances within height restriction zones, comparison of surrounding building heights with proposed construction to illustrate conformance with existing structures, analysis of sun angle and the effects of shadows throughout the day and year, and land use restrictions based on airport flight paths. These illustrations and analysis have been a valuable component in plan amendments, infrastructure approval, and addressing objections to proposed developments.
- Development of “in-house” and public-facing web-based mapping and decision-making mapping solutions. Examples include our improved Executive Order Permit Tracker site, internal enterprise GIS platform, and client-specific web-based mapping solutions.
- Produced internal high-accuracy building height dataset from LiDAR point cloud data for use in complex geospatial analysis.
- Developed Python scripts and automated workflows to update internal GIS databases, ensuring our team utilizes the most up-to-date and accurate information. This increases efficiency and reduces the time required to create high-quality mapping products and exhibits.
Other Industry Experience
While employed at the Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD):
- Served as a liaison between the GIS Team and each Division of the NWFWMD.
- Developed and maintained a multi-user land management database consisting of over 40 feature types and thousands of physical assets maintained on NWFWMD lands.
- Created a project management GIS database for tracking and monitoring project progress and budgets, and developed operations dashboards for communicating progress and budgets with NWFWMD management.
- Worked with Hydrologic and Hydraulic models and their GIS outputs to identify homes and buildings with increased risk of riverine flooding as a result of in-channel and floodplain debris resulting from Hurricane Michael. The work helped the NWFWMD prioritize river and stream segments for debris removal.
Professional & Community Involvement
- Seven Hills Regional GIS User Group, 2021-Present
- Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM), Member, 2016-2020
- Florida Association of Environmental Professionals, Tampa Bay, 2015-2016
Publications & Presentations
Land Development News Update, Publications:
USFWS to Revise Critical Habitat Rules For Manatees
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2022
Newsroom
Firm Announcements:
Stearns Weaver Miller Expands Tallahassee Office Space and Offered Services
February 2022
Firm Announcements:
Stearns Weaver Miller's In-House Geographic Information System (GIS) Capabilities Enhanced with New Analyst
December 2021