William A. Aden

B.S., civil engineering, and M.S., civil and environmental engineering

Class of 1967 and 1972

After receiving both his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Virginia Tech, William Aden worked for a small engineering firm in Blacksburg, Virginia, during what he says was the 1970s boom for the university and town. From that experience, Aden went on to found his own full-service consulting firm, Draper Aden Associates, where he worked as founder, CEO, and chairman of the board for over 40 years. To date, the firm has a staff of 300, with locations in Virginia and North Carolina and clients across the Mid-Atlantic region. Aden is still heavily involved with Virginia Tech as a current member of the Virginia Tech College of Engineering Committee of 100 and the Virginia Tech Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Advisory Board. He also also served on the Virginia Tech College of Engineering Advisory Board and the Board of Directors for the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. Aden is an active member of the local community as well, serving currently on the boards of directors for: the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation, the Blacksburg Partnership, the Carilion New River Valley Medical Center, the New River Community College’s foundation, Mountain Lake Lodge Resort, and the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.