Mapping Success: Matthew McLamb’s Journey from UMO to NC’s Geographic Information Officer

When Matthew McLamb (’09) first stepped onto the University of Mount Olive campus in 2005, he never imagined that one day he would be responsible for shaping how the State of North Carolina manages critical geographic information, or that his work would directly impact millions of residents every day.

Fast forward to 2025.  McLamb has officially stepped into the role of State Geographic Information Officer and Executive Director for the Center for Geographic Information and Analysis, located within the North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s Enterprise Data Office. Stationed in Raleigh, but still calling Goldsboro home, McLamb’s leadership now helps guide 911 call routing, broadband expansion, and other critical initiatives across the entire state.

Growing up in the tight-knit community of Grantham, NC, McLamb’s path was deeply influenced by his family’s faith and a strong work ethic modeled by his father, the late Reverend Tony McLamb. Those values, along with his experiences at UMO, laid the foundation for a career defined by service, innovation, and leadership.

"I always had an interest in technology," McLamb shared. "Choosing to major in Computer Information Systems at UMO gave me a strong foundation in networking, database administration, and server management, all crucial skills for the GIS work I do now."

A pivotal moment came during his senior year at UMO, when a conversation with faculty member Cheryl Hooks led to an introduction to Curt Hinton, co-founder of Geographic Technologies Group (GTG) in Goldsboro. McLamb began working part-time as a marketing technician while still finishing his degree, transitioning to full-time by his final semester, and balancing classes, work, and life.

At GTG, McLamb quickly moved from marketing to GIS Director and ultimately to Chief Technology Officer. He also completed his master’s degree in GIS Technology from NC State in 2014.  In 2019, a call to serve the public sector pulled him toward the State of North Carolina, where he would further deepen his expertise and eventually be named Geographic Information Officer.

McLamb’s career has been defined by tangible impacts. One shining example is his work on Next Generation 911, ensuring that all North Carolina public safety answering points (PSAPs) have reliable GIS data for accurate 911 call routing, a critical need dramatically demonstrated during Hurricane Helene. His team's efforts allowed emergency calls from impacted areas to be rerouted to available PSAPs across the state, saving countless lives when seconds mattered most.

The breadth of his work extends beyond emergencies. From supporting broadband expansion across rural counties to leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning in extracting building footprints from satellite imagery, McLamb is helping position North Carolina as a national leader in GIS technology. In 2023, North Carolina received the nation’s only "A" rating in the 2023 Geospatial Maturity Assessment.

Reflecting on his time at UMO, McLamb fondly recalls being involved with Thursday Night Worship, the Honors Program, Campus Activity Board, and even wearing the crown as Pickle King. He credits much of his career success to the strong foundation he built at UMO, especially skills in networking, database and server administration, and public speaking.  Those skills enable him to confidently address large audiences, from technical teams to government leaders.

"The public speaking course at Mount Olive pushed me out of my comfort zone and into leadership," he said. McLamb recently chaired the largest state-run GIS conference in the nation, hosting nearly 600 attendees and over 120 sessions.  Despite the magnitude of his role, McLamb remains grounded.

"It’s an honor," he says of representing North Carolina at the national level. "But it’s also a responsibility to keep learning, keep collaborating, and always look for ways to serve better."

When asked what advice he would give his younger self, McLamb smiles:  "Enjoy every moment, maintain those friendships, and trust that if you stay faithful, God will open doors you never even knew existed."

At home in Goldsboro, McLamb enjoys life with his wife, Sarah, a 2009 UMO graduate who works at Wayne Christian School as a high school English teacher and Senior Coordinator.  The couple have two daughters, Avery (13) and Clara Jane (8). The McLamb family is active in Bethel Church, and McLamb continues to give back to the community, serving as Chairman on the Southern Wayne Sanitary District Board.

From Grantham to Raleigh, from UMO to statewide leadership, Matthew McLamb’s story is a testament to faith, perseverance, and a lifelong commitment to serving others one map, one connection, and one community at a time.