Ben Grove was recently named the assistant director for strategic partnerships and engagement for Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Global Programs and Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Grove has been with the college for 10 years, serving as assistant director of development, associate director of development, and director of development for Virginia Cooperative Extension as a part of the college’s advancement team.
In his new role, Grove will work alongside Tom Thompson, associate dean and director of Global Programs, and Ed Jones, associate dean and director of Virginia Cooperative Extension, to increase opportunities for international engagement by faculty, staff, and students of the college and Extension. Grove will actively build internal and external partnerships to support global engagement, as well as provide leadership to faculty and student programs.
As director of development for Extension, Ben was primarily responsible for major gift fundraising to support college and Extension programs, activities, and positions.
He worked collaboratively with the college’s development staff, university advancement personnel, the Virginia Cooperative Extension Leadership Council, the Virginia 4-H Foundation Board, and Extension faculty, staff, and volunteer groups to oversee all aspects of philanthropic support for Extension.
Grove was a member of the inaugural class of Virginia Agricultural Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR) and served on the Pamplin MBA Advisory Board. He has participated in abroad programs in Europe and South America, and did service work in Central America. Grove is pursuing a Ph.D. in agricultural, leadership, and community education.
Prior to Virginia Tech, Grove spent five years in the meat and poultry industry working in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and in Atlanta, Georgia, in quality assurance and sales roles.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in animal and poultry sciences and master’s degree in business administration, both from Virginia Tech.
— Submitted by Zeke Barlow
