William H. Goodwin Jr.

Mechanical Engineering
Class of 1962, B.S.

William H. Goodwin Jr. received a mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Tech in 1962 and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in 1966. He went on to work at IBM and as a sales representative for Phillip Morris Worldwide before starting his own company, CCA Industries Inc. 

Goodwin chose to attend Virginia Tech on the advice of his father. Along with his decision to study engineering, he joined the Corps of Cadets. “He never mentioned it, but I suspect he thought the Corps of Cadets would tame me to some degree,” Goodwin said of his father. “It did, as it became something I look back upon as one of the more influential experiences of my younger years.” Goodwin’s favorite Virginia Tech memories include the corps’ disciplinary challenges, and he remains passionate about the organization and its presence on campus.

Goodwin’s directorships and participation in community activities include roles as chairman of the GO Virginia Region 4 Council, member of the board of directors of the Richmond Performing Arts Corp., and chairman emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Engineering Foundation. Goodwin and his wife have been long-time supporters of philanthropic projects at Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia, and he names support of cancer research as their greatest passion.