Following a national search, Bill Brown has been named associate dean and chairman of the Technology Division at West Virginia University at Parkersburg.
He replaces Gene Barry who retired in June after 26 years at the college.
Brown has been a member of the Technology Division since 1999 and served as assistant professor of engineering technology and director of manufacturing and industry programs.
"We are in an exciting era at WVU Parkersburg," Brown noted. "We have several new programs to offer including the manufacturing processes program, computer information technology (CIT) degree, CISCO training, environmental science degree, and the newly approved bachelor of applied technology degree."
"With these programs along with our other mainstay degree and certificate offerings, we will be able to provide our students and local employers a wide range of educational opportunities," he added.
Brown received his bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from Clemson University and his master’s in industrial and systems engineering from Ohio University.
While in graduate school, he taught full-time at the WVU Extension in Parkersburg. At that time, the college was located where the Wood County Public Library is now on Emerson Avenue. At the same time, that the college moved to its new campus on Route 47, Brown left to enter the industrial world of manufacturing.
While in business and industry, he worked in many sectors including sheet metal fabrication, HVAC, paper production, tool fabrication, chemical processing, and furniture making. When reflecting over his industrial experience, he mentions two peak experiences. In the mid-nineties, he was responsible for the justification, design, construction, and start-up of a 500,000 square foot manufacturing plant.
"No one really knows the detail involved in a "green field" project unless he/she has actually been involved in one," Brown noted.
His responsibilities included everything from making certain that the plant functioned properly to making sure that there were wastebaskets and paper clips for the office employees when they started work. He noted that the real challenge to this project was that it was on a tight time-line: the production process had to contribute to the company’s shipments within nine months.
The second highlight was being asked to turn around a failing manufacturing plant.
"The plant was manufacturing a product that did not have any fancy options, computer controls, etc.," Brown recalled. "It was just a product used all over the world that had to be made in a very competitive environment."
"I was given six months to determine if the company could be saved," stated Brown. "After several years of cooperation and many hours of effort, we were able to compete very effectively in the global marketplace."
In fact, two foreign plants were shut down and their manufacturing requirements were awarded this American plant, he added, and the plant received state and national honors for its productivity.
Since joining WVU Parkersburg in 1999, Brown has coordinated the development of the college’s bachelor of applied technology degree which was recently accredited by the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
