Locus Technologies Establishes Asheville Operations

June 15, 2011

Asheville, NC– In conjunction with the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County, Locus Technologies, the industry leader in web-based water, energy, and environmental information management software, announced today that it has established branch operations in Asheville’s Biltmore Park. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Locus’s Asheville branch joins other east coast facilities in Boston, Pittsburgh, Miami, and Jacksonville, FL.

Asheville, NC– In conjunction with the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County, Locus Technologies, the industry leader in web-based water, energy, and environmental information management software, announced today that it has established branch operations in Asheville’s Biltmore Park. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Locus’s Asheville branch joins other east coast facilities in Boston, Pittsburgh, Miami, and Jacksonville, FL.
Recently awarded a contract from Los Alamos National Laboratory to manage data in Locus’s Environmental Information Management (EIM™) software, Locus Technologies is the definitive worldwide source for on-demand environmental data management software and storage, as well as a key consulting services provider. Locus software is the largest online environmental database system designed for environmental professionals–in both business and government sectors. Locus customers gain insight into carbon emissions, water quality and consumption, energy use and other factors enabling the reduction of their operations’ environmental impact while improving operational efficiency.
Locus’s Asheville office will be led by Dr. Todd Pierce, who returns to Locus as Director of Geographic Information Systems. Dr. Pierce has more than twenty years of experience in geographical information systems and web programming and hold a doctorate in geography from the University of Oxford, U.K. He previously worked for Locus from 2003 to 2007, where he developed the mapping components of Locus’s EIM application. Dr. Pierce is now coming back to Locus to manage the implementation of all R&D for Locus GIS applications. He will lead efforts to develop subsurface 3D visualization, augmented reality, and real-time tracking of sensors for on-site monitoring.
Dr. Neno Duplan, President and CEO of Locus, said, “Our company’s strength is directly related to our innovative and experienced environmental professionals. As the leader of our Asheville operations, Todd will play a key role in servicing our new contract with Los Alamos National Laboratory. We are well aware of the excellent talent pool available in Asheville, along with its attraction as a great place to live and raise a family. We have noticed other Silicon Valley companies, such as Apple, establishing operations in North Carolina. We are very happy to establish the presence and expand our operations from there.”

Before returning to Locus, Dr. Pierce had been working as a research scientist with UNC Asheville’s National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC). “We have a growing technology cluster here in Asheville. The presence of a highly sophisticated workforce was a critical factor in establishing a Locus base of operations in this community. I am excited to be back with Locus and continue my work to bing the power of GIS and visualization to Locus’s cloud applications,” said Pierce.
“We are proud to welcome Locus Technologies into the Asheville area,” said EDC Chairman K. Ray Bailey. The company’s choice to locate here demonstrates our community’s ability to attract high-caliber firms and strengthens our base of technology companies.”
For additional information on Locus Technologies, please visit www.locustech.com.

The EDC for Asheville-Buncombe County is a public-private partnership committed to: creating and retaining high quality jobs, community leadership, and being a resource for better business decisions. The EDC accomplishes this mission through its four core services: business retention & expansion, small business & entrepreneurship, research, and marketing & recruitment. The EDC is funded by Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Advantage Asheville Campaign.
The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is a 2,000+ member organization representing 86,000 employees. Chamber members collaborate with community organizations and coalitions to support the community and each other with the mission of increasing the region’s livability by advancing its economic vitality. The Asheville Chamber works diligently to ensure that Asheville continues to prosper while also protecting the natural beauty of the area. In 2006, the Chamber moved to a new location and is now home to the 4,000 square foot Visitor Center which welcomes 200,000 visitors per year.