My name is Carson Coggins and I am a graduate the Masters of Geospatial Information Science and Technology program at NC State. I am a life-long North Carolinian. Originally from Concord, I now live in Raleigh, North Carolina with my wife and our two dogs. I first gained experience using GIS and spatial analytics while working as a student intern for the Cambridge Retrofit Project in the Summer of 2011. I immediately recognized what a powerful tool GIS can be and became fascinated with expanding my knowledge and experience base.
After completing my undergraduate degree in Political Science at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2013, I enrolled in the GIS Graduate Certificate program, also at UNC-Chapel Hill. During this program I was able to gain firsthand experience with many of the most essential theories, practices, and technologies involved with Geospatial solutions. I applied these concepts through a final project that focused on mapping violent crime patterns and trends in Chapel Hill, NC.
Beginning in 2015, I was hired as a Business and Technology (GIS) Analyst with the State of North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Central Cancer Registry , where I was tasked with using ArcGIS desktop to batch and interactively geocode incidence of cancer across the state. I also managed and maintained several State-wide spatial datasets within ArcCatalog. These Geodatabases employed complex schema to maintain data integrity and ensure accuracy in Geocoding cases of cancer. Additionally, I worked closely with a Spatial Analyst to develop a method to estimate probabilistic error probability in geocoding cancer cases based on the accuracy of available spatial data, resulting in co-authorship of a publication in The Journal of Registry Management of the National Cancer Registrars Association.
In 2017, I enrolled in the Masters of Geospatial Information Sciences and Technology (MGIST) at N.C. State University and concurrently moved into a part-time research analyst position with Meyers Research, a nation-wide Real Estate consulting firm. During my time at Meyers, I was tasked with the data model design, development, and execution of long-term spatial projects, such as the creation of a national Master Planned Community Enterprise geodatabase (SDE) utilizing PostgreSQL, which required extensive use of ModelBuilder and Python scripting to automate data collection and database management tasks. I also implemented SDE versioning to facilitate concurrent editing of the spatial data by multiple users, which was accomplished via the use of ArcGIS Server (now Portal) to publish out data services from the MPC SDE, so that end-users and collaborators could access and edit this data within a customized ArcGIS Web Mapping Application.
In my final semester of the MGIST program, I was selected by Partner Software to complete a Capstone project to recreate Partner’s entire Field Design software functionality within an ESRI environment in order to demonstrate how an Enterprise GIS could benefit Partner Software and clients. To complete the project, I used my experience with ArcMap, ArcCatalog, Server for ArcGIS, and the ArcGIS Web App Builder. After presenting my Capstone project and the customized ArcGIS Web Application that I constructed in Spring 2019 to the faculty of the MGIST program and leadership at Partner, I was hired by Partner Software as a Production Specialist.
As part of the Professional Services team, my duties included implementing, configuring, supporting, and training end-users on a comprehensive utility design software solution. This role has provided me with a broad set of experiences and allows me to use my background in GIS to find new and innovative solutions for utility cooperative clients throughout US. My role at Partner was dynamic, requiring flexibility and fast-paced learning, as clients are constantly in need of unique solutions. My time at Partner helped to sharpen my ability to learn new skills and methods on-the-fly to address technical issues and solve complex client problems.
In April 2021 I was hired as a GIS Specialist by Timmons Group to work within the Geospatial Transportation division before being promoted to Technical Analyst in May 2023. This role focuses on long-term projects with various Departments of Transportation from across the Country, and allows me to draw upon my experience with the ESRI suite to deliver dynamic solutions to our clients. Some of my work can be viewed here. In June 2023 I completed the GISP exam and became GISP Certified.
Carson Coggins GIS Portfolio 