GeoEye

When was your company established?

GeoEye, Inc. was formed in January 2006, when Dulles, Va.-based ORBIMAGE acquired the assets of Colo.-based Space Imaging. The newly combined company is GeoEye.

What is the origin of your company name?

The name “GeoEye” is taken from the Greek word for Earth – ‘geo’ – and combined with the word ‘eye.’ Our Earth-imaging satellites can ‘see’ virtually any point on the surface of the planet every day.

Who owns your company?

GeoEye is publicly traded on NASDAQ (GEOY). We began trading on this exchange on Sept. 14, 2006. In August 2010, Fortune Magazine named the Company one of the top 100 fastest growing companies in America.

What is the main business focus of your Fairfax County office?

The Fairfax County facility will serve as GeoEye’s headquarters, from which we will monitor and oversee our domestic and international operations. GeoEye owns and operates three Earth-imaging satellites – GeoEye-1, IKONOS and OrbView-2 – and three aircraft (based in Mission, Kansas) with advanced aerial imagery collection capabilities. In addition to GeoEye’s leading imagery collection capabilities, we are a leader in the creation of enhanced imagery information products and services.

Who are your primary customers?

GeoEye’s largest customer is the U.S. government, which purchases most of its imagery through the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, or the NGA. The NGA acquires imagery and imagery-derived products on behalf of its clients, including U.S. defense forces and intelligence and law enforcement agencies. In August 2010, GeoEye won a $3.8 billion award from the NGA for continued access to Earth imagery and the development of a next-generation Earth-imaging satellite, GeoEye-2. Our domestic commercial customers include companies in the oil and gas industry, mining, environmental monitoring, insurance, risk management and mapping. GeoEye sells satellite imagery to Google, Inc. for use in Google Earth and Maps. Our international customers include foreign governments and commercial customers that use imagery for national defense and intelligence programs; agricultural, environmental and infrastructure monitoring; and construction planning.

What sets you apart from your competitors? 

We have the best and the brightest employees and we work hard to retain them. The Washington, D.C. area has a strong talent pool of individuals who have active security clearances and training in geospatial technologies and geographic information systems (GIS). Our workforce is our strongest asset. GeoEye also owns and operates GeoEye-1, the world’s highest resolution Earth-imaging satellite. GeoEye-1 collects imagery with .41-meter ground resolution, or about 16 inches. GeoEye-1 is able to “see” an object the size of home plate on a baseball diamond from 423 miles in space. We are currently building GeoEye-2, which will have even higher resolution (.33-meter ground resolution, or 13 inches). In September 2010, GeoEye was named Earth Observation Operator of the Year by Euroconsult, the leading international consulting and analysis firm specializing in satellite applications, communications and digital broadcasting.

In 2007, we established the GeoEye Foundation because we have a unique opportunity to share GeoEye's technology and resources to help train others to map, monitor and measure the Earth. Our foundation makes imagery awards to universities and non-governmental organizations that need satellite imagery for research or for humanitarian needs.

How many employees do you have and how many do you anticipate hiring in the next 12 months?

GeoEye has more than 500 employees, with 230 in Loudoun County who are moving to our new Fairfax location. As of fall 2010, we had open requisitions for 45 employees. We expect to create at least 100 new jobs over the next three years.

What are the advantages of your Fairfax County location?

The new location has several advantages. First, GeoEye is hiring, and Fairfax County has a highly skilled talent pool. Next, the new location will provide room for expansion, and it is close to several major transportation hubs, including the Dulles International Airport, Route 28 and the Dulles Toll Road. The planned Silver Line extension to the metro rail system will serve the area when completed in late 2016. This move will ensure GeoEye continues to meet the information technology and infrastructure requirements the Company needs to sustain its growth. Importantly, Dulles Corner will allow us to better serve our key customers in the Washington, D.C. area, particularly the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Where do you see your business in five to 10 years?

In the satellite imagery business, it isn’t just about the pixel; it’s about what you do with the pixel. Our goal is to become a full service global geospatial solutions provider. We have written this goal into our corporate mission statement: “to enable our customers’ success by consistently providing superior quality location intelligence and services, resulting in timely and vital insights—anywhere and anytime.”

Where is your company located ?

In first quarter 2011, we will be located in the Dulles Corner Office Center, 2325 Dulles Corner Boulevard, Herndon, Virginia 20171. You can visit us online.