Texas Tech Vice President Joins LEDA Board
November 23, 2009
By: Sally Post
Taylor Eighmy joins Economic Development Alliance board of directors.
Taylor Eighmy, Texas Tech University vice president for research, has been appointed
to the board of directors of the
Lubbock Economic Development Alliance (LEDA).
LEDA, as the primary economic development agency for the City of Lubbock, is charged
with promoting economic growth by creating high-quality jobs, attracting new capital
investment, retaining and expanding existing businesses.
Eighmy believes that Texas Tech’s goal of becoming the state’s next national research
university will not only secure the university’s reputation but also enhance Lubbock’s
economy.
“The economic development of Lubbock and West Texas is closely tied to the future
growth of Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center,” said Eighmy.
“As Texas Tech continues to realize it’s aspirations around national research university
status, as the Health Sciences Center continues to focus on research, and as the two
institutions further our important collaborations, our focus on research and development
will be a magnet for companies wishing to locate in Lubbock and West Texas. Our growth
and maturation in research and development depends on a vibrant corporate research
and development community here in Lubbock. The future economic and cultural development
in Lubbock really goes hand in hand with our development as knowledge engines. I am
a firm believer that knowledge drives economy. ”
In the 11 years since LEDA was founded, the organization has been responsible for
creating more than 7,000 new jobs. LEDA Interim Chief Executive Officer Kenny McKay
welcomes the expertise Eighmy brings to the board.
“Since our inception, the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance has been looking for
ways to partner with Texas Tech University. With the addition of Dr. Eighmy to our
board, we can continue to strengthen the alliance between the university’s long-term
research efforts and our daily recruitment endeavors. He brings a fresh, strategic
perspective that will benefit both our organizations in the coming years.”
Eighmy joined Texas Tech July 1. He is the principal research officer for the university,
overseeing and encouraging innovative research and scholarship in all fields. Before
coming to Texas Tech, Eighmy served as the interim vice president for research at
the University of New Hampshire and as the assistant vice president for research and
director of strategic initiatives. His focus has been on expanded research initiatives
with the federal government and the private sector, research and development supporting
economic development and peer mentoring of faculty around excellence in scholarship.
Eighmy holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Tufts University and master’s and
doctoral degrees in civil engineering from the University of New Hampshire. He has
published extensively in the environmental engineering and environmental science fields
and is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board.