Vanessa Vander Zyl Email & Phone Number

Deployable FALCON-I OBP for the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Area Of Responsibility (AOR). Analyze and provide feedback on the quality of the near-real time processing of raw Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data. Current Key Responsibilities:-Analyze LiDAR data in near-real-time in order to determine the quality of the collection for the intensity, first/last return point cloud data, and L2 Quality Metrics to assess when or whether the data collection will meet the data quality threshold.-Provide feedback to the Mission Commander (MC) regarding the quality of data collection, offering informed recommendations for adjustments to time allocation or additional passes to ensure optimized data acquisition.-Exploit OBP LiDAR data on the fly for high priority targets, as required.-Deploy forward in support of SOUTHCOM requirements.

Deployable FALCON-I Intelligence Analyst for the Embassy Intelligence Fusion Cell (EIFC). I analyzed and exploited LiDAR data and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery in support of counter-drug, counter-terrorism, High Availability Disaster Recovery (HADR), humanitarian assistance, detection of illegal mining/deforestation, and current demobilization efforts for the SOUTHCOM AOR. Created data, products, and reports highlighting FALCON-I’s state-of-the-art Geiger-mode Foliage Penetration (FOPEN) capability for customers, working partners, and the Intelligence Community (IC).Key Achievements:-Analyzed, interpreted, and exploited LiDAR data and SAR imagery to identify key signatures and create a detailed characterization product of the scene for SOUTHCOM targets.-Created target set data and generated reports for discovery and retrieval on the GEOINT Enterprise TPED Services (GETS) database.-Briefed exploitation products, target analysis, and assessments to the IC and working partners for combined collaboration.-Deployed in support of SOUTHCOM requirements and provided analysis products to foreign partners.-Facilitated learning and mentored new employees and rotational military analysts on SAR exploitation and LiDAR exploitation.

Springfield, Virginia, United States

As a Geospatial-Intelligence (GEOINT) Basic Instructor at the National Geospatial-Intelligence College (NGC) I had the opportunity to train and mentor NGA's workforce. The courses I taught during my tenure were the Deployed Analytic Readiness Training (DART) course, Asymmetric Warfare Workshop, Spatial Thinking for GEOINT Professionals, Human Geography, and Activity-Based Intelligence. Key Achievements during my tenure at the NGC were:-DART and Asymmetric Warfare workshop were the top two highest-ranking courses within the entire schedule of courses offered from 2011 to 2015.-Facilitated learning and mentored students to achieve course Enabling Learning Objectives (ELOs) and Terminal Learning Objectives (TLOs) for 1000+ hours.-Maintained, updated, and discovered new course materials, analytical software, analytical methodologies, and techniques being used or introduced within deployed field environments.-And lastly, enhanced and reinforced students' GEOINT skill sets.

Herndon, Virginia, United States

GEOINT Analyst for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency at the Underground Facilities Analysis Center (UFAC). Within this unique and highly collaborative work environment, NGA worked directly to support the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Underground Facility Issues with Imagery and Geospatial support. Analyzed, assimilated, and evaluated information and various intelligence sources relating to a defined geographical and functional area of responsibility. Located, identified, and characterized underground facilities, tactical tunnels, and hardened deeply buried targets. Key Achievements:-Analyzed and interpreted imagery to identify key signatures and create a detailed chronology of specific events related to undergrounds.-Provided lead engineers with a Characterization/Contingency Support Package (CSP) to determine and characterize the function of newly finished underground tunnel complexes.-Monitored, created, and posted relevant National Exploitation Server (NES) reports and remarks to the target list.-Tailored second and third-phase multi-INT products (combining IMINT, SIGINT, HUMINT, and OSINT) for policymakers, warfighting commands, and the IC. -Participated in IC working groups and conferences related to undergrounds. -Briefed intelligence products, target analysis, and assessments to IC partners for combined collaboration on one of the Nation's most challenging targets to hold at risk.

Chantilly, Virginia, United States

Deployed to austere environments in support of NGA as an Imagery Analyst, GIS Analyst, and Roving Technician. I analyzed, assimilated, and evaluated information and various intelligence sources relating to a defined geographical or functional area of responsibility. Provided imagery and geospatial analysis support to key military leaders, government agencies, and coalition partners. Applied knowledge of imagery and GIS applications and tools to create imagery, geospatial, and terrain visualization products that directly support senior DoD decision-makers, US CENTCOM leaders, and forward-deployed combatants. Deployed to multiple sites all over Iraq and Afghanistan as a Roving Technician to troubleshoot satellite communication issues; resolve computer software/hardware issues for analysts' computers; and maintained/updated/installed necessary software and patches on all of NGA's equipment.Key achievements:-Successfully deployed over 36 months to various combat zones and hazardous duty locations including Afghanistan, Djibouti, and Iraq (2004 – 2010).-Resident Subject Matter Expert (SME) for ongoing mission planning, situational awareness briefs, convoy confirmation briefs, and newcomer's briefs.-Developed a unique FUSION Intelligence product that combined Imagery, Geospatial data (raster and vector), and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) to provide the commander with the likely last known locations for the unit’s Top 10 list. -Produced over 1,500 standard and custom-tailored imagery and geospatial products including Population Density Graphics, Terrain Analysis, Slope Analysis, Line of Site Analysis, Incident Density Plots for VBIED/IED attacks, Gridded Reference Graphics (GRG), Imagery Target Packets, Georeferenced TIFFs (GeoTIFF), GeoPDFs, Base Operation Graphics, Force Protection Graphics, Route Studies and Analysis packets, Facility Baseline, Threat Assessments, Lines of Communication (LOC) graphics, Reference Image Maps, and Fly-thru videos.

Ft. Bragg, North Carolina

Supervised and deployed the TES Forward to support the XVIII Airborne Corps contingency operations during ramp-up exercises through combat support (Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom). Directly supported and answered the commander’s Priority Intelligence Requests (PIR) through Initial Phase Intelligence Reports (IPIR) and Second Phase Imagery Dissemination (SID) products. These products specifically addressed the commander’s requests by providing all the Essential Elements of Information (EEI) for mission planning and combat operations. Key Achievements:-Successfully deployed and supported the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) in combat. -Produced 1,200+ imagery and geospatial products that specifically answered the commander’s PIR and the customer’s Request for Information (RFI).-Produced, populated, and posted over 500 significant SID products to the unit’s Image Product Library for theater-wide dissemination.-Collaborated with shift supervisors to build a relevant target deck that contained over 800 Areas of Interest (AOI) and Points of Interest (POI) to exploit all plausible threats to the unit’s forward-deployed combatants.

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Concentration In Marketing, 3.85

Activities and Societies: Magna Cum Laude

Graduate Certificate, Geographic Information Systems