Ernst Volgenau

Ernst Volgenau is a retired United States Air Force office and founder and former CEO of SRA International.[6] He later served as chairman of the board for the company, and rector of the George Mason University board of visitors.

Dr.

Ernst Volgenau
Bornc:a 1934 (age 88–89)
EducationU.S. Naval Academy, 1955
M.S.E.E.
U.C.L.A., Ph.D. in engineering, 1966
Known forfounded SRA International, 1978
Support of George Mason University
SpouseSara L. Volgenau
AwardsDistinguished Service Award (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
Equal Employment Opportunity Award (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
Executive of the Year, 2005 (Northern Virginia GovCon)
George Mason medal 2013
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service1955–1976
Rank Colonel, retired
Battles/warsLegion of Merit with Oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal
Notes

Early life and education

Volgenau came from a farm in Clarence, New York to the U.S. Naval Academy. He wrestled and threw the javelin. He graduated in 1955[5] and was commissioned a lieutenant in the Air Force. Later he earned a master's degree in electrical engineering, and in 1966 his Ph.D. in engineering at UCLA.[1] He taught graduate courses in electrical engineering, computer systems, and operations research at UCLA, American University, and George Washington University for eight years.{[1]

Military career

In the United States Air Force 1955–1976, Colonel Volgenau had assignments in aerospace research and development, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and as Director of Data Automation for the Air Force Logistics Command. As Director of Inspection and Enforcement for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1976–1978 he managed 700 engineers.[7] He subsequently consulted for the Indian Head Company, a firm with a subsidiary supplied pumps to nuclear power plants in the United States.[8]

SRA International

After retirement from the Air Force in 1978, he founded SRA International and operated it initially in his Reston basement. The company grew to several thousand employees and went public. He was president and CEO until 2005. He was chairman of the board in 2013.

Honors

He was rector of the George Mason University board of visitors (2007–2012.) The university's Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering bears his name.[1] His $10 million donation to that program was the largest it had ever received.[3][9]

In August 2020, the Nature Conservancy named its Virginia Coast Reserve in honor of multiple gifts by the Volgenau family over 30 years.[10]

References
  1. "BOV-Ernst Volgenau". George Mason University. Archived from the original on June 27, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  2. "George Mason University (Va.) has received a $10 million gift from Ernst Volgenau and his wife, Sara, to support the…". Diverse Issues in Higher Education. December 29, 2005. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  3. "Ernst Volgenau Honored with George Mason Medal". George Mason University News. May 10, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  4. "Volgenau Audience Challenged to Embrace "Courageous Followership"" (PDF). Taking Stock. VAdm Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. Spring 2013. p. 4. Retrieved August 27, 2013. The Volgenau Honor Courage and Commitment Seminar Series is made possible by Dr. Ernst Volgenau, USNA Class of 1955, and his wife, Sarah.
  5. Lucky Bag. Annapolis, Maryland. 1955. p. 446. Retrieved August 27, 2013. ERNST VOLGENAU Clarence, New York The switch from the rigors of farm life to the strain of Academy life pro\ed no great problem for Ernie. A determined, conscientious, hard worker in everything he undertook, Ernie's studies were no obstacle in his road to success at Yoosnay, and he was equally adept in sports. Ernie's afternoons were spent in athletics varying from wrestling in the fall and winter to throwing the javelin for the track team in the spring. In the social department Ernies luck was nothing less than sensational. Ernie's indomitable spirit, keen sense of duty and responsibility, and determined will to win will surely make him a respected and successful officer.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. Hughlett, Roger (June 16, 2003). "Ernst Volgenau: A man of few words". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  7. "Profile". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 27, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  8. Miller, Judith (April 6, 1982). "Atomic unit revised report after review by company". New York Times. Retrieved August 27, 2013. ...Ernest (sic) Volgenau, a former director of the commission's Office of Inspection and Enforcement ... was retained by the Indian Head Corporation, Hayward-Tyler's parent company.
  9. Kathuria, JD (December 1, 2005). "Executive Spotlight - Interview with Ernst Volgenau, Founder of SRA". ExecutiveBiz. Archived from the original on March 25, 2006.
  10. The Nature Conservancy. "Newsroom: Volgenau Family Recognized for Decades of Support". Retrieved September 7, 2020.
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