Paul Jacob 'Jack' Dangermond is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire Co-founder and President of Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri), the global leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Born in Loma Linda, California, in 1945, his parents were Dutch immigrants who owned a plant nursery in Redlands.

Dangermond's education is rooted in environmental science and planning: he holds a B.S. in Landscape Architecture (Cal Poly, Pomona), an M.A. in Urban Planning (University of Minnesota), and a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from Harvard University in 1969. His early work at Harvard's Laboratory for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis laid the foundation for his company's technology.

• Esri (Co-founder & President): The core private asset, the global leader in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software (ArcGIS).
• GIS Pioneer: He co-developed ARC/INFO GIS software, which became the industry standard.
• Environmental Focus: His original goal was to use land-use analysis to advance environmental science and planning.
• Philanthropy: He and his wife donated $165 million to establish the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve (a major conservation area).

Jack Dangermond co-founded Esri with his wife, Laura Dangermond, in 1969, initially to perform land-use analysis. The strategic genius was recognizing the need to develop software tools for spatial analysis, leading to the creation of ARC/INFO in the early 1980s. Esri's flagship product, ArcGIS, became the indispensable industry standard for mapping, spatial data management, and analysis, securing the company's dominant market share.

Under his leadership as President, Esri remains privately held, reflecting Dangermond's commitment to long-term vision over short-term market pressures. He has received 13 honorary doctoral degrees and numerous civic awards (including the Patron's Medal of the Royal Geographical Society). His structural contribution is immense: GIS software is now fundamental to almost every sector, from environmental planning to urban development and public health. In 2017, he and his wife made a monumental $165 million donation to establish the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve.

Jack Dangermond's social impact is massive and structural, stemming from Esri's role in providing the technology that underpins modern geography, environmental science, and urban planning globally. His company's software is used by millions of users worldwide to make critical decisions.

His personal philanthropy is profound: the $165 million donation to the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve (a 24,000-acre conservation area on the Pacific coast) is a massive structural contribution to environmental conservation and the Lowy Institute for International Policy.

Jack Dangermond maintains the pragmatic, intellectual style of a scientist-executive. His attire is consistently professional and conservative. His aesthetic reflects his stability and profound commitment to geography, conservation, and scientific software.

Residing in Redlands, California, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to GIS innovation, environmental stewardship, and the long-term management of his essential software empire.