Jeffrey M. Crowder

Since 1985, Jeff has enjoyed a challenging and diverse set of opportunities in Information Technology at Virginia Tech. His work has revolved around the emergence of the Internet, issues related to access and economic/community development, and enablement of research. He seeks to bring a spirit of energy and entrepreneurship which has resulted in a series of successful and impactful initiatives over thirty years.
Selected highlights:

• Co-founder, Managing Director, and Board Vice-Chair for the Mid-Atlantic Research Infrastructure Alliance, Inc. MARIA provides shared research network and cyberinfrastructure for it’s members including W&M, GMU, JMU, ODU, VCU, UVA and VT.
• Division of IT liaison to the VT Foundation for VT Technology Assets, LLC to acquire and utilize a broad portfolio of strategic IT assets for the benefit of Virginia Tech. Most recently, Jeff led VT participation in FCC Auction 105 to acquire CBRS “Innovation Band” spectrum for the university.
• Served as Principle Investigator for “Alleghany Fiber” successfully competing for federal BTOP funding to build 110 miles of rural fiber linking Montgomery, Craig, Botetourt, Roanoke, and Bedford counties to Virginia’s open access fiber network.
• Founding Director for NetworkVirginia launching in 1996 to deliver internet to every community in Virginia. NWV operated from 1996 to 2016 delivering internet service to all higher education, more than 70% of K12 schools, several state agencies, municipalities, and a total of over 1.4 million people.
• Internet Evangelist. In the late 1980s and early 1990s Jeff worked in community outreach to build awareness of the potential of internet technology beyond research and defense applications.
• Service on numerous boards including Blacksburg Electronic Village, The Quilt, National LambdaRail, and Mid-Atlantic Research Infrastructure Alliance.

Jeff received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Virginia in 1984 and a Master's degree in Instructional Technology from Virginia Tech in 1996. He enjoys living with his family in southwest Virginia and is active in numerous community organizations.