Casey Cusick Geospatial Analyst | Technical Program Specialist
Supporting Tribal stewardship through geospatial technologies, AI, and technical innovation.
About Me
My transition into the geospatial profession began at Texas State University, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a double major in Wildlife Biology and Geography. After several years working in hospitality, I refreshed my technical GIS skills through the Bootcamp GIS Enterprise Certificate program before joining the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission (AITRC). Today, my work integrates geospatial technologies, automation, artificial intelligence, policy analysis, and natural and cultural resource research to support Tribal stewardship and informed decision-making.
Career Foundations
Before transitioning into geospatial technologies and natural resource research, I spent nearly two decades in the hospitality industry—primarily as a bartender, with my final five years serving as a Bar Supervisor. In that role, I managed daily operations, including staff oversight, inventory control, ordering and receiving, and vendor coordination, all while bartending full-time in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Those experiences strengthened my ability to think critically under pressure, lead diverse teams, communicate effectively, and maintain exceptional attention to detail. Today, those same skills complement my technical expertise in GIS, natural/cultural resources, and emerging technologies, enabling me to manage complex projects, collaborate across disciplines, and develop practical solutions to challenging environmental problems.
Professional Focus
Today, I serve as the GIS Specialist at the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission (AITRC) in Glennallen, Alaska. While GIS remains the foundation of my work, my responsibilities have expanded to include automation, artificial intelligence, technical workflow development, mobile data collection systems, and decision support for Tribal stewardship and natural resource research.
I collaborate across fisheries, wildlife, ecology, stewardship, anthropology, and regulation programs to develop practical tools that improve data collection, analysis, visualization, and communication. I enjoy solving complex technical challenges that bridge technology and natural resource management, whether developing AI-assisted fisheries workflows, designing mobile field applications, or supporting Tribal stewardship planning.
Core Expertise
GIS & Spatial Analysis
Design and implement geospatial solutions that support Tribal stewardship, natural resource research, cultural preservation, and informed decision-making. Extensive experience with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online (AGOL), including Experience Builder, StoryMaps, and Dashboards. Skilled in cartography, terrain and hydrologic analysis, spatial modeling, and raster analysis using ecological covariates such as NDVI, LAI, and TRI.
Data Processing & Automation
Build Python-based automation tools for geospatial analysis, AI-assisted workflows, and data processing using Jupyter Notebooks within the Anaconda environment. Also experienced with Arcade for dynamic map expressions and SQL for spatial data management and querying.
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learn
Integrate computer vision, object detection, and Python automation into AI-assisted workflows that support environmental monitoring, natural resource research, and operational data processing. Experienced in training, evaluating, and integrating machine learning models into operational geospatial workflows, with applications ranging from trail analysis to AI-assisted fisheries monitoring.
Field & Remote Data Collection
Create custom Survey123 forms and mobile workflows for field data collection, community monitoring, and multi-feature mapping. Experienced using Field Maps and QuickCapture to support GPS-enabled data collection in remote Alaskan environments.
Drone Mapping & Post-Processing
FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot with field experience operating the DJI Mavic 3 Pro and Autel EVO II Series V3. Currently expanding expertise in drone data processing, orthomosaic generation, terrain modeling, and photogrammetric analysis.
Data Visualization & Communication
Create print and interactive web maps that communicate complex spatial information for Tribal stewardship, environmental planning, public engagement, and decision support. Experienced in presenting technical information clearly to both professional and non-technical audiences.
The Ahtna Territory - AITRC
Ownership in the Ahtna Territory
The Ahtna Traditional-Use Territory spans approximately 27 million acres—roughly the size of the state of Ohio. This map highlights the various landowners and managers within the region. Today, about 5,000 people reside within Ahtna Territory. The Ahtna Territory includes the entire Copper River Basin and is bordered by four major mountain ranges: the Wrangell Mountains to the east, the Chugach Mountains to the south, the Alaska Range to the north, and the Talkeetna Mountains to the west. Portions of the Susitna, Matanuska, and Yukon River watersheds also lie within the territory.
Key federal landholders include the National Park Service, with Denali National Park and Preserve to the west and Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve to the east. The Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) appears in purple in the northeast, while the Chugach National Forest (U.S. Forest Service) is shown in brown in the south.
In addition to these federal lands, the region includes extensive Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holdings (shown in yellow and navy blue, the latter representing State-Selected lands), many of which are currently under review through the ANCSA §17(d)(1) withdrawal classification process. State of Alaska lands (shown in light blue) are also widespread, encompassing areas under state jurisdiction for wildlife management, land sales, and public access.
The map also depicts lands conveyed to or selected by ANCSA entities, including Ahtna, Inc., Chitina Native Corporation, and other regional and village corporations. These lands reflect the complex mosaic of ownership resulting from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and remain critical to cultural, economic, and subsistence practices across the territory.