Joseph W. Meredith, Ph.D., former President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC), has been conferred the title of President Emeritus by the Virginia Tech Foundation (VTF).
Emeritus status is the highest honor bestowed by the foundation’s Board of Directors to a retired employee. Sandra C. Davis, chair of the VTF Board said “For 27 years, Dr. Joe Meredith led the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center with great distinction. In many ways, through the VTCRC, he helped create and define the character of a contemporary university-based research park and his leadership is widely respected across the country. The Virginia Tech Foundation is pleased to recognize his work through this honorary title.”
Meredith served as VTCRC President and CEO from 1993 to February 2020 of the internationally renowned research park. Under his leadership, the campus grew from one to 36 buildings and extended the enterprises’ footprint with the development of Tech Center Research Park in Newport News, VA.
Meredith was dedicated to cultivating a community that provided connections, events that encouraged collaborations, and indoor and outdoor amenities where companies, employees and the public can gather. He made the park more than just buildings, he laid the foundation for people working here to enjoy a work, life balance.
During his career, Meredith has been recognized with many honors like the Roanoke – Blacksburg Technology Council’s Leadership Award, Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering’s Academy of Excellence, and most recently the Virginia Tech Alumni Distinguished Service Award.
Virginia Tech Foundation Chief Executive Officer John Dooley praised Meredith’s leadership to the VTCRC, “Joe was a transformative leader. Under his guidance and direction, the VTCRC became a critical part of the region’s and state’s innovation ecosystem and fostered the successful development of several companies.”
Meredith received his bachelor’s degree at Virginia Tech in aerospace engineering, Class of 1969, a master’s degree from Purdue University, and a Ph.D., in industrial and systems engineering at Virginia Tech, Class of 1997.