Time marches on, and while we still think of ourselves as the new, young (hahaha) up and coming GIS consulting company in NZ, that was over 20 years ago now! Change is inevitable, and so, some change has happened at GBS. We are very pleased and excited to have Mark Eiseman join GBS as a Director for GBS NZ. This is a direct result of the investment from GBS USA in GBS NZ. Mark replaces Tony Elson as a Director of GBS NZ.
Tony’s role shifts to being our Head of Sales, Marketing and Business Development. Tony’s contribution to GBS has been massive, from co-founding the company in 2002 with Harley Prowse, to over 22 years of quality consulting and company governance. Tony has seen GBS NZ through the good times and some tough times and his steady hand, professionalism, and sense of fun (you know what we mean if you know Tony!) has been invaluable and much appreciated by all of us at GBS. It’s a big change for GBS, but one that also brings new opportunities and new thinking to both GBS NZ and GBS USA.
Mark Eiseman has been associated with GBS since 2018 when Tony and Harley met him in San Diego at the Esri UC. Back then he was looking to immigrate to NZ with his family. GBS employed Mark and he brought his wealth of IT consulting, GIS, Esri and Utilities experience to NZ. The immigration part didn’t quite work to plan, and after just over a year, the decision was made to return to the US and start GBS USA. GBS USA has steadily grown in the 5 years since and has a lot of potential as a niche Esri consulting company in a massive market. Mark, and the GBS USA staff (Catherine and more recently Justin) have continued to work with our NZ customers as well as the growing number of US clients. As a result, for many of you, they will be well known. As GBS NZ began to explore options for how the co-founders would eventually exit the company, with a view to keeping GBS going, ensuring employees were protected, and building on the existing legacy, Mark (and family) expressed an interest in investing, and the rest is now history, recent though it may be!
GBS NZ is still owned in the majority by NZ shareholders, but we do now have a significant shareholding by GBS USA. Looking ahead, GBS has a 2-pronged focus on growing the business – recovery and growth in our core NZ market as the NZ economy improves, and growth based on developing what we think are significant opportunities in the US market. Our ability to service the local market and the US opportunities from NZ is exciting and allows us to be extremely competitive in the US, while developing broader and deeper local skill sets which will inevitably contribute to better serving the local market as well. We think this is all very positive for everyone involved and are looking forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Mark Eiseman
CEO GBS USA & Director GBS NZ