Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (Wednesday, March 17, 2021) – FortisTCI is pleased to announce its latest scholarship recipient as one of the company’s own, Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist Todiriko Saunders. The company has awarded Todiriko full coverage of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geographic Information System Technology, studies he will complete online with the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona.
Todiriko started his career at FortisTCI in 2011 as T&D Planner before working his way into his current role as the company’s only GIS Specialist. The completion of the degree program will enhance his real-world knowledge and skills, and improve his ability to manage and maintain the company’s GIS – a study founded in the science of geography that uses a framework to integrate and analyze various types of data, including spatial location and geographical layering to manage assets and create visual maps.
Having already commenced his studies, upon successful completion of the program, Todiriko will be better equipped to expand the FortisTCI GIS program and optimize new technologies to improve T&D asset management, mapping, line design, engineering, outage management, and customer response.
FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes said, "GIS is critical to our daily operations, and these technical skills are limited locally. We also know that the three Ds – decarbonization, decentralization and digitization – are transforming the energy sector at a rapid pace, and the use of GIS has become increasingly important to the management of our field assets. This is why as technology advances, we must stay ahead of the curve to leverage capabilities in the most efficient ways possible. As we look to the future of energy, GIS will play a major role in grid modernization and strategies to achieve operational efficiency. I am proud to see Todiriko’s commitment to his professional development and the growth of our sector. On behalf of the FortisTCI family, I wish him continued success during his studies and throughout his career."
Over the last 10 years, FortisTCI has invested more than $3 million in training and development and awarded over $300,000.00 in scholarship funding. The company’s scholarship program is primarily geared toward science and engineering studies. All scholarship recipients must also fulfill a post-study bond requirement.
