Brian Kleiner named Preston and Catharine White Professor and Director

Brian Kleiner, director of the Myers-Lawson School of Construction in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has been named the Preston and Catharine White Professor and Director by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The directorship is funded from the Preston and Catharine White Endowment for the Myers-Lawson School of Construction. The endowment was established in 2008 with a $1 million commitment from the Whites. Preston is a member of the Class of 1962 who earned his bachelor’s degree in building construction.

A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1991, Kleiner was named director of the Myers-Lawson School of Construction in 2011. Under his leadership, the school was transformed into a uniquely structured and successful school with top three programs in construction management and construction engineering.

Kleiner is the founding director of the Center for Innovation in Construction Safety, Health, and Well-being at Virginia Tech, which is credited with over $12 million of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health external funding to improve the safety of the construction industry. His numerous awards include the 2022 A.R. Lauer Safety Award from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 2014 Distinguished Professor Award by the Construction Industry Institute, 2012 U.S. Department of Defense Patriot Award, and 2012 McPherson Memorial Award for Achievements in Diversity.           

Kleiner has authored or co-authored more than 175 peer-reviewed papers and has led approximately $10 million in funded research projects. He received his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo.