Getting to know the TMD 'map guy’

Photo By Michelle Mcbride | Burhan N. Girgin, GIS Manager, Texas Military Department, is known around Camp Mabry as "The Map Guy." Girgin has been part of the organization for over 18 years and continues to support the overall mission of the Texas Military Department. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Michelle McBride)  

AUSTIN, TX, UNITED STATES

10.25.2016

Story by Michelle Mcbride 

Texas Military Department

AUSTIN, Texas --Sitting behind his desk with a big smile and a neatly groomed beard almost as thick as his accent, he’s already on the phone discussing his next big project.
Burhan N. Girgin, deputy branch manager, has worked in the Texas Military Department’s Geographic Information Systems office at Camp Mabry, in Austin, for more than 18 years. Around Camp Mabry, he is lovingly known as “the map guy.”
“They call me the map guy because my name is hard to pronounce and hard to remember for a lot of people,” said Girgin. His colleagues see it differently, however. From the government affairs office to the joint operations center, Girgin is well known.
“Burhan's contributions go well beyond just the Construction and Facilities Management Office,” said Texas Army National Guard Lt. Col. John L. Davis, director, construction and facilities management office. “He has provided maps, data and countless other GIS products to the command during floods and other emergent situations over the years, often with no notice and very tight deadlines.”
With a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering and a master’s degree in biosystems engineering, Girgin moved to the U.S. from Turkey in 1989 to pursue his doctorate degree and became a proud U.S. citizen in 1997.
“Today, I still get a kick out of saying ‘I am from Spokane, Washington’ with my heavy accent when asked where I am from,” said Girgin.
Although he loved Washington and considered it home, his education plans were derailed when he came across a job announcement from the Adjutant General’s Department of Texas.
“I still remember being at the library and rushing to the closest dictionary to see what adjutant meant,” said Girgin. “Those were the pre-Google days.”
After speaking with the department head, Girgin was excited for an opportunity to make a difference in the management of military training lands in Texas and decided to make the move to Austin.
“I moved to Austin in February of 1998 and immediately fell in love with the city,” said Girgin. “The first summer was brutal, but I survived.”
Over the years his job has evolved greatly. Initially, Girgin would go to training sites and collect field data to create accurate maps of training areas, ranges and cultural and natural resources. Now however, the agency is more involved with technolog, and training and user support has become a big part of his job.
“The most demanding times have always been during emergencies when the National Guard is called for duty,” said Girgin. “I remember working in the Joint Operations Center during hurricanes Katrina and
Rita. It was stressful, but I was actively involved in decision making
with command. We were looking at GIS data, accessing terrain and flood conditions and determining troop movements.”
During the past 18 years, Girgin developed many professional and social relationships with the people around him and enjoys sharing his knowledge and culture.
“In 1998, when I first moved to Austin, I didn’t know anyone,” said Girgin. My father passed after I moved here as well and I was unable to travel home for the funeral. It was a tough time, but it also really made me realize how many of our relationships we take for granted.”
While not at work, Girgin enjoys the local Austin culture and can be found at either a live music venue or the local indie movie theaters. He also cooks his own versions of traditional Turkish meals.
“It’s my way of sharing my culture with the people who are important to me,” said Girgin. “It may not be exactly like my mom made but I think it pays respect to those who raised me.”
Girgin’s work supports Guardsmen agency-wide.
“I think my biggest contribution to the guard has been educating and supporting every single member who comes in asking for help, whether they’re a specialist or a general,” said Girgin. “When a soldier gets deployed there is always a civilian staying behind helping to cover the workload left behind.”
According to his supervisor, Girgin has been a long-standing contributor to the success of the organization.
“His institutional knowledge has been nothing short of invaluable,” said Davis. “It’s a privilege to have him on our team.”
Although Girgin now has to apply for a visa to travel back home, he has no regrets about moving to Austin and joining the Texas Military Department.
“This agency offered me a job that changed my life, helped my family and made me a proud, productive contributing member of this great state, and I will always be appreciative of that,” said Girgin. “It’s not easy being ‘the map guy’ of Camp Mabry!”

• Date Taken: 10.25.2016
• Date Posted: 10.25.2016 16:53
• Story ID: 212907
• Location: AUSTIN, TX, US