Our Team

Who We Are: Behind the Maps

We are trail users, nature lovers, designers, artists, outdoor enthusiasts, wanderers, adventurers, meanderers and mountain bikers, history buffs, environmentalists, tree lovers, stream watchers, mountain lovers, and of course - map makers.

Michael Hermann: Founder and Lead Cartographer

Purple Lizard Maps was founded in 1997 by award-winning cartographer, Michael Hermann, with a mission to become a leader in recreational map design. Michael received his B.A. in Geography from Penn State with a focus on digital cartography and launched his career as a Digital Cartographic Specialist with Trails Illustrated/National Geographic Maps in Colorado. Today, Michael is among the leading cartographers in the industry. Many Purple Lizard Maps have received design awards from the leading international network of developers, researchers and educators in the field of Cartography, Geography and GIScience.

In addition to his work with Purple Lizard, Michael served as the lead cartographer with the Canadian-American Center at the University of Maine where he led the design of the award winning Historical Atlas of Maine. That atlas received the Globe Book Award for Public Understanding of Geography and Best Atlas of 2016 from CaGIS. Michael is a past president of NACIS (North American Cartography and Information Society) and past president of the Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education at the University of Southern Maine.

Purple Lizard gets their hands in a few other custom cartographic design projects as well - they mapped out the first IMBA Epic Mountain Bike course in Pennsylvania in the 1990s; they designed the Maine Appalachian Trail Maps in 2000s, and the Leadville 100 Race Series in Colorado in 2015.

Justine Andronici: Co-Owner, Chief of Operations and Partnerships

Justine officially joined Purple Lizard in 2013 as Co-Owner and Chief of Operations and Partnerships. With a background in business and project development, marketing and law, Justine navigates the legal and operations side of the Lizard business, helps spread the word about Purple Lizard to the world, and generally manages things to keep new Purple Lizard Maps coming your way.

Lizard Contributors 

Purple Lizard Cartographic Contributors include a small group of some of the best cartographers, designers, and adventurers anywhere - who all share our passion for exploring the outdoors. Lizard Contributors do lots of cool things in the world, and also work with us with us on special assignments to help bring Purple Lizard's Maps to life. Below are a few of our key contributors.

Erin Greb of Erin Greb Cartography has always had a close connection to the outdoors and exploring. Growing up with acres of woods in her backyard in western Maryland and driving cross-country every year with her family on vacations, maps always played an important part in her life.

As a second year art major who loved to hike in the mountains near Penn State, the lightbulb went off one day that she should transfer into Geography (’99) and learn to make maps like the ones she used in the woods (including the original Rothrock Purple Lizard map!). Erin then earned her MA in Geography at CU Boulder (’02) where she continued to hike and mountain bike in the foothills and Rocky Mountains. Now she continues to explore and design maps and enjoys traveling around the country for trail races. 

Wiggus came to this planet to save mankind, but after living here for 20 years he decided to play guitar, ride motorcycles, and pursue his lifelong dreams of mastering the art of digital design and working with Purple Lizard Maps. 

Community Partners

Purple Lizard could not do what we do without the help and support of so many of you: the folks on the ground in the communities we map who help us make sure we have up to date and accurate information. We work closely with members of each community, land managers and recreational user groups, and small businesses in the communities we map.

These relationships are a big part of what makes each Purple Lizard Map so special.The Lizard Maps community is always exploring new places and sharing adventures.

Want to Follow our Adventures?

You can stay connected with us via email (sign up below for Lizard e-news) Instagram, Facebook.

In Memorial: Karma the Adventure Dog (2012-2023)

Photo by Meron Enyeart

Karma the Adventure Dog goes everywhere Purple Lizard goes, is responsible for investigating anything worth investigating, making friends with anyone and everyone he meets, and most importantly maintaining a fun and peaceful atmosphere. Note: Karma left us suddenly and unexpectedly from cancer in the summer of 2023, and we will miss his company and pure and total joy being outdoors - he is a part of every map we make. May you always run in peace Mr. K!