The College of Arts & Sciences would like to recognize Dr. Matt Heric as this month’s Alumnus of the Month. Dr. Heric is the CEO of IAVO (International Association of Virtual Organizations) Research and Scientific, Inc., a North Carolina based engineering and software research and development company specializing in spatial applications. Matt’s affiliation and affinity for Carolina lead to him making a gift of the company’s GeoGenesis software to the University. This software is used in aerial and spatial imagery analysis and was valued at over $12 million dollars. Dr. Heric is also an active member of the College of Arts & Sciences, Board of Visitors.

Founded in 2000, IAVO Research and Scientific offers a unique blend of technical and business knowledge. IAVO serves as an engineering and software development firm, focusing on two domain thrusts: (1) advanced geospatial science with emphases on visual processing, remote sensing, image processing, fusion, and advanced visualization; and (2) complex quantitative sciences such as behavioral modeling, quantitative sociology, and linear structures. Thus, its expertise covers a range of proven and emerging technologies in both theoretical and applied sciences for government, private industry, and academia. IAVO donated 400 licensed copies of its GeoGenesis® geographic imaging and modeling software to the University of South Carolina, along with five years of support and maintenance. This generous gift has a total value of over $12 million.

Matt Heric is the Chairman and CEO of IAVO with co-ownership, along with his wife, Dawn, in a variety of subsidiaries. A South Carolina alumnus, he earned his MS in Geography in 1987. He also earned a PhD from Virginia Tech in Education in 1996. He currently resides in Durham, NC, where he founded and served as the Executive Director (2004-2008) of the Downtown Durham Athletic Association, running a variety of sporting and after-school programs for underprivileged Durham youth. He is also currently a member/manager with several ongoing commercial real estate businesses. Prior to Durham, he lived in the Washington, DC, area and worked for several technology firms, among them Autometric and Frischer-Dambra.

Dr. Heric has been married to Mrs. Dawn Heric since 1986, and they have two sons, Davis (14) and John (5). For all of his contributions, the College of Arts and Sciences wishes to recognize Dr. Heric as the Alumni and Friend of the Month for August 2010. .

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