Texas Geographic Information Officer, Richard Wade, welcoming attendees at the 2025 Texas GIS Forum.
Texas Geographic Information Officer
Richard Wade, GIO
at the 2024 Houston Area GIS day.
Richard Wade serves as the Geographic Information Officer (GIO) for the state of Texas and is the Deputy Executive Administrator of TxGIO. With more than 30 years of experience in GIS technology and computer mapping, he has led statewide initiatives and has recently served as President of the National States Geographic Information Council.
As GIO, Wade is the state’s designated leader for how Texas creates, manages, and shares geographic information. The most important function of the GIO is to build and maintain relationships with public agencies, institutes of higher education, and private sector and trade associations. State legislation also tasks the GIO with setting long-range priorities that help Texas work toward shared goals, like stronger data interoperability, efficient resource use, and coordinated statewide mapping initiatives.
The GIO is also charged with leading the creation of The Texas Geographic Officer Report, a comprehensive report on important opportunities, funding needs, and data acquisition priorities. The report is issued every five years and is submitted to state leadership to make informed decisions for the citizens of Texas.
Reports
The Geographic Information Officer Report breaks down how our state’s mapping and data efforts are evolving and why it matters. This deep dive into the status of our geographic landscape helps Texans get a straightforward look at how better data and coordination leads to safer communities, smarter planning, and more efficient use of public resources.
From strategy to action
Housing the Geographic Information Officer within TxGIO ensures that strategy and execution stay tightly connected. TxGIO manages the state’s core mapping programs and placing the GIO within our offices concentrates expertise, leadership, and technical capacity in one place.
This arrangement keeps the big-picture goals and real-world delivery in alignment. For Texans, this means reliable information for planning, emergency response, water management, transportation, and countless other public services.