Zachary John Lemnios, Vice President, Research Strategy and Worldwide Operations, for IBM will deliver the keynote address during Tiffin University’s 2016 Commencement Ceremony.
The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2016, and will be held in TU’s Heminger Center, located at 350 Miami Street. Approximately 3,000 guests are expected, including graduates who represent both undergraduate and graduate students.
“Mr. Lemnios was selected as this year’s commencement speaker because of his impressive career path, achievements, and the leadership that he has provided to his profession,” said TU Interim President Lillian Schumacher. “TU is extremely pleased he has agreed to join us on this spectacular day celebrating the success of our students.”
Mr. Lemnios is responsible for the formation and execution of IBM’s research strategy and operations across the corporation’s 12 global laboratories and network of collaboratories. He drives the long-term research agenda, including the execution of the major IBM research investments, grand challenges, big bets, and strategic initiatives. In addition, Mr. Lemnios currently leads the corporation’s Global Technology Outlook.
His extraordinary career charts a path from being a chip guy who later championed and worked in artificial intelligence research. He served in high-level civilian leadership for the U.S. Department of Defense as The Honorable Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research & Engineering), where he was the Chief Technology Officer from 2009 to 2012. Confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he helped to shape the Department of Defense’s technical strategy to support the President’s national security objectives and the Secretary of Defense’s priorities. He launched national and international initiatives in large data analytics, decision support, engineering education, electronic warfare, cyber, autonomy, advanced propulsion, hypersonic, and rail gun concepts as future capabilities for the nation.
Prior to his position in the Pentagon, Mr. Lemnios served as the Chief Technology Officer for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory, and established strong and technical and programmatic ties between MIT and other leading academic institutions.
Mr. Lemnios received his BSEE from the University of Michigan and his MSEE from Washington University in St. Louis. He has served on numerous national security, industry, and academic committees. He has authored over 40 papers and holds four patents.
