Who is he?

For the past two years Bailey has been working as a Business Intelligence/GIS Developer Analyst for the City of Philadelphia's Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I). He and his husband moved to South Philly in early 2022 from Florida, where they were both born and raised. Bailey comes from a multiethnic background, with family members from Cuba, Colombia, and Sweden.

How did he get here?

Growing up in the coastal town of Jensen Beach on Florida's Treasure Coast, Bailey's childhood was immersed in the wonders of the local environment. Trips to the Environmental Studies Center on the Indian River Lagoon fueled his fascination with the intricate ecosystem of the St. Lucie River estuary. As a third-generation Eagle Scout, Bailey explored the state parks, beaches, and islands of Martin County, forming indelible memories of pristine waters.

However, Bailey's nostalgic recollections have been overshadowed by the stark reality of the last 15 years. Discharges from Lake Okeechobee have cast a shadow on the once-crystal-clear St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon. Water quality degradation, fish fatalities, and algal blooms have marred the region's natural beauty, wreaking havoc on local tourism. Witnessing this transformation ignited Bailey's passion for environmental health.

Determined to address the water crisis plaguing his hometown, Bailey pursued a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and Policy at the University of South Florida, becoming the first in his family to earn a college degree. During his studies, he honed in on water quality issues, laying the foundation for his future endeavors.

After completing his bachelor's, Bailey continued his academic journey at USF's School of Geosciences, earning a Master's in Environmental Science and Policy along with a Graduate Certificate in GIS. A pivotal moment came when Bailey shifted his research focus to transportation and food deserts, leveraging the power of GIS analysis. His study on the distribution of solid waste facilities and racial geographies in Florida's urban landscapes highlighted the disproportionate impact of pollution and healthcare access on communities of color.

Upon completing his master's, Bailey, along with his husband Dom, relocated to Gainesville, where he delved into the issue of food insecurity. His remote studies culminated in a thesis, "Measuring and Understanding Food Accessibility in the Tampa Bay Area," utilizing multivariate analysis to examine patterns of food scarcity and poverty through an environmental health lens.

Emboldened by his achievements, Bailey pursued a Ph.D. in Geospatial Science at the University of Florida, further expanding his expertise in Medical Geography. Developing public health indices to assess community accessibility to fresh and healthy foods, Bailey's innovative research, based on commuting data and business datasets, led to his first peer-reviewed publication.

Beyond his doctoral work, Bailey volunteered on a research project focusing on LGBTQ+ youth mental health in rural North Central Florida. The project, unfortunately, faced setbacks due to the pandemic, prompting Bailey to reflect on the impact of his work in academia. Realizing his true motivation stemmed from helping others, Bailey made the tough decision to depart from his Ph.D. program.

Post-Ph.D. life found Bailey in a new role with the City of Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections. In his impactful two years with the City, Bailey has seamlessly combined environmental expertise with a versatile skill set in geospatial data management. As the go-to architect of crucial datasets, Bailey has ensured impeccable accuracy and transparency in information. His role has extended to designing web mapping applications for key city agencies, fortifying public safety initiatives. Bailey's optimization of data pipelines and adept use of Python scripting have significantly enhanced operational efficiency, particularly in L&I enforcement. His proficiency in crafting intricate SQL views and queries has empowered data-driven decision-making. Beyond numbers, Bailey has actively imparted knowledge through presentations, fostering a tech-savvy environment among departmental and city staff. His holistic contributions underscore a dedicated commitment to leveraging geospatial technology for the advancement of public services and safety in Philadelphia.