We are honoured to announce that Sandro Santilli is the recipient of the Sol Katz Award 2022.
Sandro (aka strk) has been contributing to OSGeo and open source geospatial software for over 20 years in various ways. He is the chair of the GEOS steering committee, a long term core contributor to PostGIS and QGIS, and a mentor to many. Sandro also shapes and maintains OSGeo infrastructure as a volunteer on the OSGeo systems administration committee.
He is seen as a mentor and guide by his peers, always reminding us to look beyond the idea of software for free, and toward truly empowering the geospatial community through open source software:
“He is the nagging voice that reminds you that FOSS is about freedom to choose and putting the power of change in the users hands, and the dangers of settling for freeware instead of working toward a truly free alternative.”
– Regina Obe
Sandro also reminds us that open software and the OSGeo community is built, and maintained, by people who contribute to it:
“I don’t care if you use Free Software. I care if you contribute to Free Software!”
-Sandro Santilli, 2022 Sol Katz Award acceptance speech.
About the award
The Sol Katz Award for Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial (FOSS4G) is awarded annually by OSGeo to individuals who have demonstrated leadership in the FOSS4G community. Recipients of the award have contributed significantly through their activities to advance open source ideals in the geospatial realm. The award acknowledges both the work of community members, and pay tribute to one of its founders, for years to come.
