RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, JUNE 25, 2013 - The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) today announced the appointment of Bob Fagan as Chief Technology Officer.
Fagan joins CCAM from Pratt & Whitney, where he served as chief engineer for the PW1100-JM engine being developed for the Airbus A320neo family of aircraft. He also served as chief engineer on the company's engine development for the STOVL variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The high-profile, multi-billion projects required sophisticated resource management, technical innovation and team collaboration.
As CTO at CCAM, Fagan will draw on this experience to guide and execute CCAM's research agenda so that it meets the needs and expectations of its advanced manufacturing members. CCAM brings advanced manufacturers together with top Virginia research universities to address challenges in surface engineering and manufacturing systems. Collaboration between multiple industry members and universities brings new perspectives to tackling challenges, spreads R&D costs among participants and speeds technology transfer from CCAM laboratories to member production floors.
"CCAM's unique research model is designed to deliver better manufacturing processes and product improvements to its members faster and more efficiently than ever before," said Fagan. "Collaboration is the key to the engineering breakthroughs that can make this happen, and I'm excited to play a role in orchestrating new discoveries at CCAM."
Fagan's career spans more than three decades. Before joining Pratt & Whitney, Fagan held senior posts with other companies in the gas turbine and power generation industries, such as Allison Engine Company (acquired by Rolls-Royce) and Light Engineering (a company he helped grow from its initial start-up). He holds engineering degrees from the University of Notre Dame, Drexel University and Purdue University, where his doctorate research focused on the fundamental physics of complex aerodynamic flow fields.
"Fagan has the background, expertise and enthusiasm to structure a research program that delivers game-changing results to advanced manufacturers worldwide," said Mike Beffel, president and executive director at CCAM. "He's the right person at the right time for CCAM, and we're thrilled to have him on board."
About the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing
CCAM is a research-based collaboration between the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Virginia State University and manufacturing companies worldwide. Manufacturers join CCAM as members and guide research leveraging both university faculty and CCAM scientists in two focus areas: surface engineering and manufacturing systems. CCAM recently completed a 62,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art research facility in Prince George County, Va., adjacent to Rolls-Royce's jet engine components plant. CCAM took occupancy of the research center on September 11, 2012. For more information, visit www.ccam-va.com.
