Greg Babe has been named to West Virginia University’s Board of Governors by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, effective Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015.

“Greg will be a great addition to the WVU Board of Governors,” Gov. Tomblin said. “His background in engineering and experience leading a top international corporation will be a true asset as the University continues to educate students for the STEM jobs of the 21st Century.”

Babe fills the vacancy of Andrew A. (Drew) Payne, whose term expired.

“Greg Babe is one of West Virginia University’s most accomplished graduates,” said President Gordon Gee. “He is a seasoned and experienced senior executive whose career as the CEO of Bayer and now Liquid X has taken him all over the world. During those travels, one thing has remained constant, and that is his love and devotion to his native state and his alma mater. We are thrilled that Greg will be serving on our Board and helping to make bold decisions that will positively impact the future of this great University.”

Babe, originally from New Martinsville, W.Va., received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1980 from WVU’s Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. Currently, Babe is the chairman of the board of directors of the Mid-Atlantic Technology, Research & Innovation Center (“MATRIC”), and is president and chief executive officer of Liquid X, a technology company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Previously, Babe served as chief executive officer of Orbital Engineering, Inc. From 2008 to 2012, he was president and chief executive officer of Bayer Corporation and Bayer MaterialScience LLC. During that time he was responsible for the North American activities of the worldwide Bayer Group, an international health care, nutrition and high-tech materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany.

As a student, Babe served as president of the Tau Beta Pi engineering honorary, and was a member of Pi Tau Sigma international honor society. He was also a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and served on several student committees.

Babe has remained an active member of the University community, serving on the WVU Foundation Board, College of Engineering and Mineral Sciences Advisory Committee and providing support for students and faculty. In 2012, he received an honorary doctorate of science from WVU. He was inducted into the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni in 2009, and a year later he was named to the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame in the College of Business and Economics.

“I’m honored to serve the University in this way and look forward to working with the rest of the Board and University administration during such an exciting time in WVU’s history,” Babe said.

Babe and his wife, Carla, live in Mt. Lebanon, Pa., and have four children.

WVU’s Board comprises 17 members, 12 of whom are appointed by the governor and can serve two consecutive four-year terms. The remaining members represent students, faculty and staff of the University as well as West Virginia University Institute of Technology.

-WVU-

ak/09/17/15

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