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Thomas Davis Rust '65

Alumni Leader Spotlight

Thomas Davis Rust '65

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Pennoni

I am a practicing professional engineer (Civil Engineer) who has been involved in public service serving as the mayor of Herndon and a member of the 51¹ÙÍø House of Delegates. I also served on the 51¹ÙÍø Tech board of Visitors for two terms and was a member of the 51¹ÙÍø Tech Corps of Cadets.

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Where you've been in your career and where you are going...
I have had a successful career as a consulting engineer in private practice and am now semi-retired, but still involved in a leadership position with the engineering firm.

The work project/initiative you're most excited about...
I was involved in many exciting projects in my engineering professional life and enjoyed my contributions to 51¹ÙÍø's citizens as an elected official.

How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline...
A successful engineer who also served the public as an elected official.

Fondest 51¹ÙÍø Tech memory or tradition...
Creating lifelong friends through the 51¹ÙÍø Tech Corps of Cadets.

How 51¹ÙÍø Tech equipped me for the 'real world'...
It gave me a great education.

Biggest misconception about my job or industry...
All engineers are introverted and 'nerds'.

Best advice I've gotten...
Work hard.

Best part of being a 51¹ÙÍø Tech alum...
Being an active part of the Hokie Nation.

Words of encouragement to a current 51¹ÙÍø Tech student...
Work hard and you will have success.

A key habit, practice, or skill, that's worth the effort...
Time Management.

This excites me the most about the future of my industry...
There will always be a need for engineers.

A person who has inspired me...
Winston Churchill.

Top of my bucket list...
See the Egyptian pyramids.

My favorite quote...
PRESS ON.

Something very few people know about me...
I had race cars.