Spectrum - Volume 17 Issue 02 September 01, 1994 - Morgan named director

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Morgan named director

Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 2 - September 1, 1994

George E. Morgan, finance professor in the Pamplin College of Business, has been named executive director of the Center for Commercial Space Communications.

The center was formed in 1991 to apply the university's knowledge, experience, and resources to the growing opportunities in commercial space communications. Part of the initial funding to establish the center came from Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology (CIT).

The center has worked with industry and federal agencies to develop new services and business opportunities from space communication technologies, such as those associated with low-earth-orbit satellites and mobile personal-communication devices. Within six months, the center was working with a dozen companies and had received the 1991 Achievement Award from the Washington Space Business Roundtable.

Researchers have addressed engineering problems and business issues. Under Morgan's leadership, there will be increased emphasis on business aspects of space-related technologies.

"For example, we will look at how to price services, and financing and risk management of wireless business enterprises, and at new applications of wireless technologies or conversion of military technologies to commercial use." Morgan explains.

CCSC is currently conducting a study for the U.S. Congress' Office of Technology Assessment on emerging wireless applications. The survey and development of a list of applications will emphasize circumstances that drive demand and obstacles faced by new wireless technologies in the market place. The study will contribute to the OTA's broader study of the role of wireless in the national information infrastructure

The first director of the center was Charles Bostian, professor of electrical engineering, who is now head of the CIT Technology Development Center for Wireless Telecommunications Systems at Virginia Tech, established last March.

Morgan has been associate director for business for the Center for Commercial Space Communications (CCSC). The wireless telecommunications center formalizes the collaboration of the CCSC, Mobile and Portable Radio Group, and Satellite Communications Group at Virginia Tech. The CCSC will be the leader in business-related research for the Technology Development Center.

Morgan's research includes the management of high technology companies, the regulatory structure at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the regulation of financial intermediaries. He has been at Virginia Tech since 1984. His undergraduate degree in mathematics is from Georgetown University; his master's in mathematical statistics and doctoral degree in finance are from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.