Fred D. Tompkins, Director

Fred D. Tompkins is President of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF).  UTRF is a UT-affiliated not-for-profit corporation that supports research; harvests, manages, and markets intellectual property; encourages and supports entrepreneurial ventures; and drives economic development.  He also serves as Associate Vice President for Research and Economic Development for The University of Tennessee System.

A licensed professional engineer in Tennessee, Tompkins has been a faculty member and administrator at UT since 1974.  He serves on the governing boards of several economic development organizations and start-up technology companies.

Dr. Tompkins holds B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in agricultural engineering from The University of Tennessee.  Prior to taking his present position in May 2003, Tompkins was serving as dean of UT's College of Engineering.