College of Agriculture and Life Sciences honors outstanding alumni and friends for 2025

Zach Jacobs, Outstanding Recent Undergraduate Alumni Award
Jacobs serves as Virginia’s deputy secretary of education, working to ensure students are prepared for success in a changing workforce. Previously, he advanced agricultural policy at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, helped shape key legislation as a senior congressional aide, and championed farmers’ interests as a senior legislative specialist at Virginia Farm Bureau. A first-generation college graduate and proud Hokie, Jacobs also founded and leads Virginia Tech Young Alumni Committees in Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia.

Elijah Griles, Outstanding Recent Graduate Alumni Award
Griles connects consumers with Virginia agriculture as a video content creator for Virginia Farm Bureau’s "Real Virginia" television program. Previously, he developed the Virginia Commodity Marketing website and launched the "CattlePulse" podcast, delivering timely market insights to more than 10,000 producers. Through his work with the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation, and Rural Sustainability, Griles also helped secure nearly $1 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture grants to strengthen rural economies. A proud former HokieBird, he remains an active mentor and alumni ambassador.

James “J.” Pearson, Alumni Career Achievement Award
Pearson founded Carry-On Trailer in 1996, growing it into the world’s largest trailer manufacturer, and later co-founded P & L Enterprises. He currently leads Vehicle Accessories as CEO, building on a career of entrepreneurial success and industry leadership. A steadfast champion of Virginia Tech, Pearson and his wife, Renae ’90, have advanced the university in countless ways, including providing support for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, Virginia Tech Athletics, the Kohl Centre, and other university initiatives. He continues to serve Virginia Tech as a professor of practice in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, as well as through the Board of Visitors and the CALS Dean’s Advisory Council. 

Thomas Debass, Outstanding Alumni in the Global Community Award
Debass advances global economic development as managing director of the Office of Global Partnerships at the U.S. Department of State, where he has mobilized over $3.5 billion in public-private collaborations. Previously, he served as lead economist and deputy director at the U.S. Development Finance Corporation and as a senior technical advisor at USAID, promoting sustainability, financial inclusion, and private sector growth. He shares his expertise as an instructor at Virginia Tech and George Washington University and is the founder of several nonprofit initiatives, including Startfield.

Eugene “Kip” Connelly, Honorary Alumnus
Connelly has advanced the turfgrass industry and Virginia Tech’s turfgrass programs through decades of leadership and support. As president of W.S. Connelly & Co., he grew the family business into a mid-Atlantic industry leader and co-founded PRIMERA, a major national cooperative. A proud member of a multigenerational Hokie family, Connelly has championed research, education, and student development, helping establish scholarships, research contests, and the “Calling Dr. Turf” educational video series. His sons, Patrick and Kevin, as the third generation of W.S. Connelly leaders, carry on support for the turfgrass program with the W.S. Connelly & Co. Innovative Research Contest, offering graduate students the opportunity to present their research to more than 1,000 turfgrass professionals annually.

George Norton, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Hall of Fame Inductee
Norton, professor emeritus of agricultural and applied economics, is an internationally recognized leader in agricultural research and education. During his 40-year career at Virginia Tech, he helped shape integrated pest management (IPM) programs that boosted farmer incomes, reduced health risks, and protected the environment in more than 30 countries. As lead architect of the USAID-funded IPM Collaborative Research Support Program, he coordinated over 160 scientists and 200 graduate students across four continents, generating $2 billion in global benefits. A dedicated mentor, Norton taught over 2,500 students, advised 80 graduate students, and authored the foundational book, "Science Under Scarcity." His contributions continue to impact farming communities worldwide.