From the press release:

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 holds a doctorate in geography from the University of Oxford, U.K. He previously worked for Locus from 2003 to 2007, when 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 bring 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 http://www.locustec.com.