RIT President Appointed to Torvec Board of Directors

Local automotive technology company, Torvec Inc. recently named Rochester Institute of Technology President Bill Destler to its board of directors. The move reinforces Torvec and RIT’s commitment to expanding educational and career opportunities in the automotive manufacturing industry.

“One of my goals as president of RIT is to find ways to assist in the economic development of the Rochester region,” says Destler. “I am therefore pleased to have been asked to join the Torvec Board of Directors, and I am looking forward to helping build Torvec as an important technology-based company with the potential to bring back significant numbers of manufacturing jobs to the area.”

In July, RIT and Torvec signed a memorandum of understanding to create the Safety and Efficiency in Automobiles Laboratory at RIT. Torvec and RIT will share access to technology, personnel, and facilities and will partner on joint research and development projects for the global automotive and energy sectors, says James Gleasman, Torvec chief executive officer.

“Dr. Destler’s credentials in the field of higher education, both at the University of Maryland and now at RIT, speak volumes,” says Gleasman. “Equally impressive is his doctorate in applied physics, his international reputation in the field of microwave technology and his expertise as a consultant to both industry and government. It is indeed an honor to have Dr. Destler as a member of Torvec’s board.”

In addition to the Torvec board, Destler serves on a number of Rochester-community boards, including the Rochester General Health System, Greater Rochester Enterprise, Rochester Business Alliance and High Tech of Rochester.