Ben Poe, the retired Senior Computer Systems Engineer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, was recognized with a 2023 Staff Career Achievement Award by Virginia Tech.

Poe retired after 34 years and eight months of service at Virginia Tech. His first job at the university was as a laboratory instrument maker, “but I asked I could take care of these new items called ‘personal computers,’” Poe said, “and so my career reflected a growth in the development of information technologies.” A self-described people person, Poe enjoyed being able to help others through his work.

Created in 2011 to recognize retiring staff members, the Staff Career Achievement Award is presented annually to individuals who retired the previous year and who distinguished themselves through exemplary performance and service during their university career. Nominees must have worked a minimum of 10 years at Virginia Tech.