"I am both humbled and honored to be receiving this distinguished award. “It takes a village…” and Purdue was an integral part of the extensive village and eco-system that helped to nurture and develop me into the person and professional that I am today. The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering aided in my critical thinking and problem solving skills that I utilize every day in industry. Individuals like Marion Blalock, organizations like NSBE and the countless numbers of engineering professors and professionals I met along the way inspired me to reach for greater heights."

 

Jerry Burris serves on the boards of London-based Pentair plc (publically traded NYSE:PNR), Fifth Third Bank (NASDAQ: FITB), Schramm Inc., and Midwest Can Company (privately held by GenNx360 Capital Partners). He also serves as a retained advisor to GenNx360 Capital Partners.

 

Mr. Burris is the former President and CEO of Associated Materials Inc. and Segment President of Barnes Group, Inc. Prior to joining Barnes Group, he held a number of senior management positions at General Electric, serving as President and CEO, GE Advanced Materials Quartz and Ceramics. Other roles include General Manager, Global Services, at GE Health Care Technologies; General Manager, Global Sourcing at GE Industrial Systems; and Product General Manger, Dishwashers/Disposers at GE Appliances.

 

Mr. Burris earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University in 1985 and a MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management. He is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.