East View Geospatial Hires Benchmark Maps’ Cartographers
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, USA – April 16, 2024 – East View Geospatial (EVG) is excited to welcome Thad Lenker and Ryan Reid, two outstanding cartographers that formerly worked exclusively for Benchmark Maps, an award-winning custom map publisher known primarily for the millions of its recreation atlases and maps sold over the last three decades.
Thad and Ryan join their former colleagues Neil Allen, now Lead Cartographer and Product Manager for EVG, and Bridger DeVille, the new Sales Director for East View Map Link, who joined East View Companies following its acquisition of the Benchmark Maps assets earlier this year. In their new roles, Thad and Ryan will help support and grow the Benchmark Maps product line and engage in custom cartographic solutions. Both newly added team members will continue to help produce maps from the Medford, Oregon office in collaboration with the core EVG staff headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Thad Lenker, newly appointed Cartographer and Operations Manager Medford, has nearly 30 years of expertise in creating custom maps for a diverse portfolio of clientele. His attention to detail and reputation for high standards in mapping will blend well with the high-quality production work for which EVG is already known.
Ryan Reid, Cartographer & Lead Editor, will help advance the maintenance, accuracy, and beauty of the product lines and custom maps on which he has collaborated for nearly 15 years. Map editing is a unique skill that few people possess but that all maps continually need. Ryan’s proficiency will help lift all phases of the cartographic production and quality control processes at EVG.
“With this recent addition of Thad and Ryan to EVG’s production team, we have grown and further strengthened our ability to support industry-leading cartographic services that cater to a wide variety of clients and market verticals,” said Nick Nazarenko, Geospatial Director for EVG.
Between EVG and East View Map Link, East View Companies maintains the world’s largest collection of commercial maps and geospatial data. With the addition of the Benchmark Maps cartographers, East View is solidifying its position among the elite providers of maps and geospatial data, whether they be off-the-shelf, repurposed, or custom created. Please visit geospatial.com/custom-mapping for information on how EVG can support your mapping needs.
About East View Companies: East View was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. East View is comprised of East View Information Services (www.eastview.com), East View Geospatial (www.geospatial.com) and East View Map Link (www.evmaplink.com). East View maintains thousands of supplier/publisher relationships throughout the world for maps and geospatial data and Slavic, Arabic and Chinese-produced social and hard science content. East View manages a data center, library and warehouse in Minneapolis where it hosts and stores dozens of foreign language databases, hundreds of thousands of maps and atlases and millions of geospatial, Slavic, Chinese and Arabic metadata records.
East View Map Link Acquires Western Map Publisher Benchmark Maps
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., USA – February 13, 2024 – East View Map Link (EVML) is delighted to announce the acquisition of Benchmark Maps, an award-winning map publisher known for its detailed recreation atlases and maps of the American West and beyond.
Kent D. Lee, president and chief executive officer of East View Companies, said, “the acquisition of the Benchmark Maps assets is an exciting opportunity to ensure the continued development of these premium maps and atlases. The addition of Neil Allen and Bridger DeVille to the team will ensure a smooth transition and provide opportunities for contributions to the entire portfolio of East View Map Link.”
Established in 1995, Benchmark Maps has endeavored to illustrate the ever-changing road conditions, public land ownership, and recreation potential of states and provinces across North America. For over 25 years, the company’s unique field-checking methods and cartographic processes have resulted in precise and easy-to-use map products, building a loyal following of discriminating map users. Benchmark Maps proudly distributes through major retailers such as REI and partners with a multitude of organizations including National Geographic.
Bridger DeVille, the newly appointed sales director at EVML and current president of the International Map Industry Association, said, “it is an exciting time for Benchmark Maps! Over the last 12 years, we have expanded our commercial success in the book trade and outdoor industry and grown our cartographic services for corporate, government, academic, and publishing clientele. Under the new leadership of our long-time partners at East View Map Link, Benchmark Maps will make its next evolution with increased organizational support and broadened access to high quality geospatial data. All these strengths will result in a more robust product and service suite, allowing Benchmark Maps to further pursue our goal to be one of the most trusted map brands in North America.”
EVML will continue to make Benchmark Maps branded products available to retailers and will dedicate itself to the expansion of Benchmark Maps’ reach regionally and nationally. EVML looks forward to its role in growing the newly acquired publisher’s customer base and product offerings. New titles in 2024 will include a reimagined, spiral-bound “California Road & Recreation Atlas” and several new folded recreation maps.
About East View Map Link: EVML is America’s largest wholesale map distributor for resellers, with access to unique worldwide publications. The company’s experienced staff understands the needs of resellers and excels in recommending map selections for businesses in addition to other products and value-added services. EVML has a true passion for maps, atlases, world travelers, and all things cartographic. The company loves to see its resellers’ businesses thrive.
