MOTOROLA TECHNOLOGY CHIEF JOINS IIT

Former Motorola Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Dennis Roberson has joined Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) as Vice Provost for New Initiatives and Executive Director of its Undergraduate Business Programs, IIT Provost and Senior Vice President Allan Myerson announced today.

Roberson brings more than three decades of leadership in corporate technology and product research and development, most recently as a senior executive at Schaumburg-based Motorola, Inc. While at Motorola, Roberson helped steer the company’s course for future growth, including its development of single chip cameras, color cell phones and broadband wireless Internet. Prior to Motorola, he held key leadership positions at NCR Corp., AT&T, Digital Equipment Corp. and IBM.

“Dennis brings dynamic vision and leadership to IIT, especially for our new programs in undergraduate business and a creative infusion to our growing entrepreneurial and business technology curricula,” said Myerson. “With his vast experience and expertise, Dennis could have easily accepted another corporate position, but he chose us and we’re delighted.”

Beyond his oversight of 30,000+ people in Motorola’s technical community, Roberson’s direct responsibilities included the creation and management of its research arm, Motorola Labs and its Global Software Group. He also focused on early business incubation, standards and intellectual property.

Prior to joining Motorola in 1998, Roberson served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer at NCR Corporation. He provided technology strategies and guidance for NCR’s engineering team, including the company’s development of customer self-checkout systems in retail stores.

“Coming to IIT is a tremendous opportunity for me to give something back,” said Roberson. “After 33 years on the corporate side of technology, I found myself eager for a new professional challenge. Until now, I was only able to observe IIT students from the sidelines. Now, I have the chance to work alongside them, helping to nurture and develop the next generation of discoverers and at the same time help expand priority university programs.”

Roberson’s career began at AT&T Bell Labs in 1970, where he designed the first digital display telephone. He later joined IBM, participating in several projects including development of the company’s first personal computer. While at IBM, Roberson led the company’s entry in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology, oversaw development of the world’s first one-megabit memory chip and the first reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessors. Collectively, these technologies revolutionized the portability and practicality of laptop and personal computing workstations we enjoy today.

Along with his leadership of IIT’s new technology-based initiatives, Roberson will head the university’s new undergraduate business program, directing instruction, student recruitment and outreach and its Interprofessional (IPRO), Entrepreneurial and Leadership Programs. He will also serve as a research professor in computer science and develop partnerships with various government and corporate sources, to help build new educational programs.

“I’m particularly excited about Dennis’ role in working across the spectrum of the university in areas of commercialization of our technology,” said Myerson. “Over the years he’s forged strong relationships with key leaders in high technology companies, universities, and in governments. This will enhance and expand our already burgeoning technology transfer efforts.”

Founded in 1890, IIT is a Ph.D.-granting technological university awarding degrees in the sciences, mathematics and engineering, as well as architecture, psychology, design, business and law. IIT’s interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum prepares the university’s 6,200 students for leadership roles in an increasingly complex and culturally diverse global workplace.