Lawrence R. Handley has been named Director of the U.S. Geological Survey Mid-Continent Geographic Science Center based in Rolla. 
Handley, a geographer who has been a wetland and spatial analysis scientist for nearly 25 years, will direct geographic science programs and projects at the USGS Center.  He will oversee 28 employees working on projects that employ remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and earth monitoring techniques.
“I am extremely pleased to have Larry Handley join our leadership team.  His leadership skills, extensive knowledge of geographic science, scientific credibility, and ability to develop sustainable partnerships are critical to expanding the Center's role in complex, integrated science studies of ecosystems, climate change, hazards, energy, and water availability nationwide,” said Stan Ponce, USGS Central Region Director.
Handley becomes Director of the USGS Mid-Continent Geographic Science Center after serving a combined 23 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Biological Service, and the USGS National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette, La.
Prior to joining the USGS National Wetlands Research Center, he served eight years with the National Park Service and the Minerals Management Service.
While at the USGS National Wetlands Research Center, Handley supervised the Mapping Section of the Spatial Analysis Branch, which focuses on aerial photography acquisition and interpretation, wetland map production, and select projects using GIS, GPS, and remote sensing.
Handley also coordinated projects with the NASA Airborne Science Program in Costa Rica and within the United States and Unmanned Airborne Vehicles programs and activities with the USGS Land Remote Sensing Program.
He directed internships in cooperation with regional colleges and universities, and taught technique seminars and training sessions on wetland classification, wetland photointerpretation, GPS, GIS, and aircraft safety.
Before government service, Handley taught geography at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and the University of New Orleans. 
Most recently he has held an adjunct position at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He actively promotes and supports outreach science-based education programs including Wetland Education Through Maps and Aerial Photography (WETMAAP).
Handley holds a master’s degree in Geography and a bachelor’s degree in History and Geography from University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Handley is a recipient of numerous awards including Louisiana Informal Educator of the Year, Distinguished Service Award for Spatial Analysis in Louisiana, and Presidential Citation from Gamma Theta Upsilon the International Geographical Honor Society. 
He is active in several professional societies including American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Association of American Geographers, National Council for Geographic Education, and the International Geographical Honor Society.
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For more information visit www.usgs.gov.