A West Virginia University administrator who coordinates the Industries of the Future-West Virginia program has received a national award.


Carl Irwin, director of IOF -WV, accepted the Partner of the Year Award during the fourth Industrial Energy Efficiency Symposium and Exposition Feb. 19-22 in Washington, D.C. The award goes to an individual who promotes energy efficiency as a national goal and participates in innovative public-private partnerships.


“It was a real thrill to be recognized for all the work weve done here in West Virginia,”said Dr. Irwin.”We started the state-level concept of IOF , and it has caught on in more than 30 other states today.


“I give lots of credit to what the team has done,”he added.”I have about 15 faculty members at WVU and another 15-20 industry people involved in projects. The West Virginia Development Office and several national labs, including the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, are key players as well. Its really a huge team effort.”


Industries of the Future is a national program developed through the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Industrial Technologies. Its role is to stimulate projects, partnerships and programs that increase energy efficiency, reduce and use waste materials, and improve global competitiveness in energy-intensive industries.


West Virginia launched its IOF program in June 1997. Besides WVU , OIT and the Development Office, seven state industries participate in the program: aluminum, steel, metal casting, glass, forest/wood products, chemicals/polymers and mining.


Irwin came to WVU in 1969 as a math professor. In 1986, he joined WVU s NationalResearchCenter for Coal and Energy, where he is director of market enhancement and program development. He has been IOF -WV director since its inception.


Born in Knoxville, Tenn., he has a bachelors degree in aeronautical engineering from AuburnUniversity and masters and doctoral degrees from EmoryUniversity in Atlanta.


Irwin lives in Morgantown with his wife, Gertraud, a MorgantownHigh School teacher. They have two grown daughters.