Dr. Allen Atkins

Born and brought up in Western Kentucky with a fascination for mathematics and science, Dr. Atkins received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1970, a Master of Science in systems engineering in 1971and a Ph.D. in engineering in 1975 all from Tennessee Technological University . He has also earned an MBA from San Diego State University in 1995.

He served the US Air Force – Aeronautical Division at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base – Dayton , Ohio from 1973 to 1980, rising to the rank of Chief Engineer, and then the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, popularly known as DARPA, from 1980 to 1987. At the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base he began working on Mini-Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPVs). Among the 37 RPVs that Dr. Atkins helped to develop was the first electric vehicle, the first solar powered version, the smallest RPV, and the first one that was truly stealthy. For his exemplary services at the Air Force Base, he was recognized as the Junior Engineer of the Year in 1975. Success of RPVs led to the further development of other low observable technologies and stealth vehicles, such the Have Blue Stealth Demonstrator which became the F-117 Stealth Fighter.

Dr. Atkins' work was not limited to aircraft; he was the first chief engineer on the Sea Shadow, a first generation stealth ship. The significance of Dr. Atkins' work is best described in the words of the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Ralston, "the success that our country experienced during Desert Storm can be directly attributed to the technical leadership that Dr. Atkins provided on the Have Blue program." In the words of Mr. Paul Kaminski, Under-Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions under President Bush, "Dr. Atkins is a pioneer in stealth technology, a technology that has become one of the highest leveraged technologies of the century." For these services, he received in 1981 the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Award, the second-highest civilian award given by DOD.

He then moved to the private sector to work as Vice-President and General Manager with the McDonnell Aircraft Company in St. Louis from 1987 to 1990 and McDonnell Douglas Technologies, Inc. from 1990 to 1995, and as Vice-President- Product Application Technology with the McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Company from 1995 to 1997. After the merger of McDonnell Douglas with Boeing in 1997, Dr. Atkins became the Vice-President –Technology and Define Process for Boeing Corporation at Phantom Works in St. Louis , Missouri .

Dr. Atkins continued his accomplishments with McDonnell Douglas and Boeing concentrating on the development of robust manufacturing processes. More notable advancements are a very unique high temperature material for the B-2 bomber and a specialized R-Card for the Commanche. These two contributions led to Dr. Atkins and McDonnell Douglas winning California 's Quality Awards. After the merger of McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, Dr. Atkins became Vice-president of Technology and Define Process at Phantom Works where he led teams dealing with mission avionics technology, open systems architecture, software and information, communication, sensor, and electronics.

Beyond his engineering accomplishments, Dr. Atkins is an advocate of educational opportunity for every one. He has been active as a teacher in junior Achievement and as a member of over seven university advisory boards. He serves as the Chairman of the Board of AMIE, a National Advocacy Organization of Fortune 500, Government, and Academia members. Of special interest to us is his service as a member of the Tennessee Tech ECE Department's Industrial Advisory Board for the past five years. He has been serving as a Joint Chair of the Board since April 2000. He has also been serving on the Board of Engineering Advisers for the TTU College of Engineering. Through these activities he has shared his experiences with the faculty and students and has been helpful in setting the goals and objectives for the academic programs of the College of Engineering and in particular the Department of Electrical and computer Engineering. Dr. Atkins's accomplishments have earned him many recognition and awards, notably the St. Louis Academy of Science 2000 Peter H. Raven Lifetime Award.

Dr. Atkins and his wife, Natalie, have four children and six grand children.