Talking Digital Twins with Ron Chapple

In this episode of Mapping the Conversations, hostDr. Valrie Grant sits down with Ron Chapple, VP of Global Strategic Solutions at NV5, to explore the evolving world of digital twins, geospatial intelligence, and visual storytelling.

Ron brings a rare blend of Emmy-winning visual storytellingand cutting-edge geospatial innovation. From capturing breathtaking aerial cinematography for National Geographic and the BBC to pioneering remote sensing innovations for Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism, Ron’s journey is one ofcuriosity, creativity, and cutting-edge technology.

They dive into:

• Ron’s fascinating transition from photography to LiDAR and geospatial innovation
• What truly makes a digital twin (hint: it’s more than just a pretty 3D map!)
• The power of immersive visuals in environmental storytelling and stewardship
• A behind-the-scenes look at a volcanic digital twin model on Hawaii’s Kilauea, combining LiDAR, live earthquake feeds, and Esri dashboards
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in geospatial tech
• Why geospatial is the fabric of all business, and how we must build more inclusive, forward-looking talent pipelines

The conversation wraps with Ron’s reflections on the creative and technical challenges of building models at scale and why digital twins must be treated as living assets rather thanone-off projects. He emphasizes the need to break down silos, foster cross-sector collaboration, and bring fresh talent—from data scientists to filmmakers—into the evolving geospatial ecosystem.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast, policymaker, or storyteller at heart—this episode will reshape how you think about place, pixels, and the planet.

Tune in and discover how Ron’s work brings scienceand art together to better understand and prepare for our rapidly changing world.

Connect with Us:

Host : Valrie Grant: LinkedIn

Mapping the Conversations: Mapping TheConversations | GIM International (gim-international.com) | LinkedIn

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