Tech Valley News
Former GE Exec to be Honored at Summit
Dr. Walter Robb, management consultant and president of Niskayuna-based consulting firm Vantage Management Inc., will be honored with The MIKE award at the 2006 Summit in Tech Valley.
The sixth annual Summit in Tech Valley will be held April 26 at The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Colonie, New York. The MIKE, which recognizes individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the development of the region’s high-tech sector, will be presented to Robb on that day.
“I am honored to be recognized with the 2006 MIKE award,” said Robb. “I have been blessed throughout my life to have the opportunity to work with a number of young and exciting companies in the region, and am a strong believer that our economic future is tied to making this area a world-class center for advances in fields such as materials, electronics and medicine.”
“Dr. Walter Robb certainly deserves this recognition for his lifelong achievements and accomplishments,” said David Gibson, president of X-Ray Optical Systems (XOS). “In addition to his distinguished career at General Electric, Dr. Robb has worked for many years behind the scenes to assist the growth of numerous existing and start-up companies – including XOS. His hard work and dedication are reflected in the large and growing number of successful companies resulting from his mentoring over the years.”
Robb currently serves on the board of directors of Celgene and Mechanical Technology Inc., and has been a mentor, board member and angel investor for approximately 25 start-up companies since 1990. Among those businesses, Robb was instrumental in the founding of both Cyclics and X-Ray Optical Systems. He was also a co-founder of UStart, the Schenectady high-tech incubator.
His bold leadership during a 42-year career at General Electric led to major advances in medical imaging. His instinct led the company – and the nation – to the forefront of the industry and provided doctors with better tools for saving lives and keeping patients healthy. During this time, Robb invented a membrane that was a precursor to an improved artificial lung.
Until December 1992, Robb served as the senior vice president for corporate research and development at GE and was a member of the company’s Corporate Executives Council. He directed the GE Research and Development Center, one of the world’s largest and most diversified industrial laboratories.
In September 1993, he received the National Medal of Technology from President Clinton for his leadership in the CT and MR imaging industry. Robb received a bachelor of science degree from Penn State and a doctorate degree from the University of Illinois.
Robb also serves as owner of the Albany River Rats ice hockey team and chairman of the board of the Albany Conquest arena football team.
Previous recipients of The MIKE are Albany NanoTech (2005); Dr. John E. Kelly III, senior vice president and group executive, Technology Group at IBM (2004); New York State Governor George E. Pataki (2003); and, MapInfo Corp. Co-founder Michael Marvin (2002).
The Summit in Tech Valley will take place at an outstanding facility, feature a one-day program, and bring back a very popular speaker – Union College graduate and manager partner of Ruxton Ventures LLC Mark Walsh – to once again serve as the master of ceremonies during the sixth-annual event this year. Already announced as speakers are leading technology executive Lawrence A. Bossidy, chairman of the board of Berkshire Bank; cyber security expert Howard Schmidt, president and CEO of R & H Consulting LLC; energy expert Michael E. Jesanis, president and CEO of National Grid USA; and, bioethics expert Dr. Glenn McGee, director of the Alden March Bioethics Institute.
The region’s premier high-tech gathering draws hundreds of leaders in the technology, business, government and academic communities, who listen to presentations and take part in interactive discussions concerning the region’s high-tech future. The event also features a $100,000 Business Plan Competition, a video presentation of the Tech Valley Innovative Educator Awards and breakout sessions on key topics relevant to the technology community.
Berkshire Bank, through its Greater Berkshire Foundation, will serve as the major sponsor of the sixth annual Summit in Tech Valley. Sponsors include FA Technology Ventures, National Grid, Times Union, Time Warner Cable and WNYT/NewsChannel 13. Red Herring is the media sponsor, Hiscock & Barclay LLP is the lunch sponsor and The Graduate College of Union University is the break sponsor. Chamber of Commerce sponsors include Bethlehem, Colonie, Orange County, Plattsburgh-North Country, Rensselaer County and Schenectady County.
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