Our Founder

Billy Gray was the Founder of Atlas Surveying, Inc. Growing up in a small town in rural South Carolina, he was enamored by the outdoors. Hunting and fishing were the fruits of his childhood, and that joy of nature never faded. He graduated from Clemson University in 1992 and was introduced to surveying in the mid ‘90s. After spending over 10 years working for two engineering & surveying companies, he started Atlas Surveying & Mapping in 2004. He was a Registered Land Surveyor in SC, GA, NC, FL, KY & AL.

Billy held a firm belief that working smarter, communicating effectively, and providing accurate data in a timely manner would lay the foundation for a successful business in the surveying industry. Having had surveying experience at an engineering firm, Billy knew first-hand what information is critical to the architectural, land planning, and civil design processes. His experience prepared him to build a team of critical thinkers, knowing when to ask the right questions, and how to find the right answers. Emphasizing accessibility and responsiveness, he assembled a dynamic team that has gained the trust of builders, developers, site contractors, engineers, land planners, and architects throughout our regions. Teamwork is critical to the success of any project and effective communication facilitates that success.

Our team at Atlas Surveying is committed to exceeding our clients' expectations, and we are confident that our team will deliver on that promise. We are celebrating over 20 years of service to our communities and will continue to expand Billy’s legacy to embody the ideals in which he built this company. Give us a call and let our professionals tell you why Atlas Surveying, Inc. is the choice for your surveying services.

Billy Gray was a dynamic leader who dreamed big and jumped high. His infectious personality brought joy and energy into any room he stepped foot in. That personality was fundamental in his effectiveness as a businessman and a leader within his own organization. He believed in the art of inspiration and made every effort to pass that down to his team. One thing is for certain; a company is nothing without culture.

Billy had a unique perspective on the relationship between land surveying and business. Traditionally, land surveying companies are small, closely knit teams of 20 or less, usually employing 1 supervisor and a few field crews under their direction. One might argue, “that’s just the way it is, and it’s how it’s always been.” However, for Billy, that wasn’t enough. He had 1 supervisor, and he had 5 field crews, but he also had a problem that not many surveyors are burdened with. His 5 crew chiefs all wanted the supervisor position, and they were all qualified. The problem? Only one of them could have it; so, he had to be creative. He knew if he didn’t provide supervisor roles for these 5 stellar crew chiefs, they were going to leave Atlas and pursue supervisory opportunities elsewhere. Instead, he began creating opportunities within Atlas. This was the beginning of something new, something seldom done before.

In 2016, Atlas Surveying opened an office in Charleston, South Carolina. In 2017, an office in Charlotte, North Carolina was opened. And in 2018, Atlas expanded to Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina. The opportunities had been created, and the beginning of a new journey had begun. It may not have been the same vision that Billy had in 2004 when he first started Atlas, but this was much bigger than just surveying. This was about people. This was about family. This was about taking care of those who take care of you. Billy’s vision transformed into something much greater. No longer just a mom-and-pop surveying company, this was going to be a surveying powerhouse that stands with strength in numbers, upholds the professional expectations of clientele, and always delivers on its promises. He started feverishly investing time in new strategies, furthering the development of his new leaders, and refusing to take no for an answer. Following his passing in 2023, we are proud to continue the vision he set forth. From a garage office to 4 branches and 160+ team members, Atlas Surveying will forever be in debt to our fearless founder, Billy Gray.